Optical Blood Loss Quantification via Recirculating Waste Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for quantifying blood loss during surgery are inaccurate and delayed, particularly in obstetric procedures, as they rely on visual estimation and manual measurement of absorbent materials, which can lead to suboptimal detection of obstetric hemorrhage and increased maternal morbidity.
Innovation Solution
A medical waste collection system that recirculates waste fluid for analysis using a sensor module with LEDs and optical detectors to determine blood concentration, allowing for real-time and accurate quantification of blood loss by measuring transmitted and scattered light, integrated with a vacuum system and agitator for homogenization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual estimation and manual measurement of absorbent materials are used to quantify blood loss, then the method is simple to operate, but the measurement precision and response time are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation and mechanical measurement methods with an optical detection system. The sensor module uses light transmission and scattering principles to automatically detect and quantify blood loss, substituting human visual assessment with objective optical measurements that provide precise, real-time data without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of light sources and sensors that mediate between the blood loss event and the measurement process. The optical sensors detect changes in light properties caused by blood presence, providing an indirect but accurate measurement method that bridges the gap between physical blood loss and quantifiable data.
2Loss of time
If waste fluid is collected and stored without recirculation, then the system is simpler to operate, but the measurement timing is delayed and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous recirculation of waste fluid through the suction tube and back into the collection container. This continuous circulation ensures that blood-containing fluid is constantly presented to the optical sensors, enabling real-time detection without delay. The perpetual motion of fluid through the system maintains ongoing measurement capability throughout the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where optical sensors continuously monitor recirculated waste fluid for blood presence, and this information is immediately processed and displayed. The recirculation system provides continuous feedback to the measurement system, ensuring that blood loss is detected and reported in real-time rather than after collection is complete.
3Productivity
If waste fluid is recirculated through the suction tube for real-time analysis, then the measurement precision and response time improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the suction tube serve multiple functions: it simultaneously acts as a surgical suction device for removing waste fluid and as a recirculation conduit for delivering fluid to optical sensors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate recirculation piping, reducing overall system complexity while enabling real-time measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the waste fluid collection function with the optical measurement function by integrating sensors directly into the collection container and using the existing suction infrastructure for recirculation. This consolidation combines multiple system functions into unified components, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying system architecture while maintaining advanced measurement capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables instantaneous and repeatable quantitative blood loss analysis, reducing the risk of delayed detection of excessive blood loss and improving maternal health outcomes by providing accurate and timely data on blood loss during surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
The emitters are configured to emit energy, and the sensors are configured to detect the emitted energy. The emitters may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the sensors may be optical detectors. The sensors detect the emitted light, and more particularly the light after being transmitted or scattered through the waste fluid.
Implementation Method 2
The sensors detect the emitted light, and more particularly the light after being transmitted or scattered through the waste fluid.
Implementation Method 3
The vacuum generated by the vacuum source is drawn on the suction tube, and the waste fluid at the surgical site is drawn through the manifold to be collected in the waste container.
Implementation Method 4
The vacuum source or another pump may circulate the waste fluid from the waste volume through a fluid path to be recollected within the waste volume.
Implementation Method 5
The medical waste collection system recirculates the waste fluid from the waste volume to be analyzed for the QBL analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Quantifying blood loss with a medical waste collection system. A removable cartridge forms a fluid path with a cartridge receiver, and defines a detection window that is optically clear. The cartridge may include a spine extending from a head and including opposing sides that are optically clear. A sensor module includes emitters and sensors configured to detect an optical characteristic of the waste fluid. A controller may determine the volume of blood loss based on blood concentration and volume of collected waste fluid. A sensor housing may be removably coupled to the spine of the cartridge. The cartridge may define a fluid reservoir, and include an actuator for drawing the waste fluid into the fluid reservoir. A tank may define the fluid reservoir. The waste fluid may be recirculated through a removable manifold. Methods of arranging and operating the medical waste collection system are also disclosed.