Optical Shaft Position Sensor for Infusion Reservoir Fluid Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion pump devices often obscure the reservoir from user view, making it difficult to monitor the remaining fluid and detect anomalies in the drive system, such as occlusions or disengagement, which can lead to medication underdelivery or malfunction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensing arrangement within the infusion device to detect a detectable feature on a shaft coupled to the plunger, allowing for optical, resistive, capacitive, or inductive sensing to monitor the plunger position and fluid level, and providing notifications for low fluid levels or system anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reservoir is contained inside a housing to protect and secure it, then the structural integrity and safety are improved, but the user cannot visually monitor the amount of fluid remaining in the reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating a visual indicator (such as a colored window or transparent portion) in the housing that allows the user to see the fluid level in the reservoir. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the protective housing structure while providing visual feedback about fluid remaining through optical properties.
2Measurement precision
If a sensing arrangement is added to detect shaft position and provide fluid level monitoring, then the ability to track remaining fluid is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by employing a simple optical sensor or transparent indicator mechanism that translates shaft position into visible fluid level information. This intermediary system provides accurate measurement without requiring complex electronic sensing arrangements, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
3Shape
If the reservoir is obscured from user view, then the device aesthetics and compact design are improved, but the user cannot detect anomalies such as occlusions or disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by incorporating a sensing arrangement that continuously monitors shaft position and provides real-time information about reservoir status. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect anomalies such as occlusions or disengagement while maintaining a compact design, as the sensing can be integrated into the existing structure without requiring visual access to the reservoir.
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 users to accurately track the remaining fluid and detect potential issues in the infusion system, ensuring proper medication delivery and preventing malfunctions by providing real-time feedback on fluid levels and system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the detectable feature is a pattern such as a binary code or gray code and the sensing arrangement is an optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus are provided for infusion devices and related control systems and methods. In one embodiment, an infusion device includes a voided portion adapted to receive a shaft portion that includes a shaft coupled to a plunger of a reservoir. The shaft portion includes a detectable feature having an optically detectable pattern such as gray code, and the infusion device includes a sensing arrangement having an optical sensor proximate the voided portion to sense the detectable feature. In some embodiments, a control module is coupled to the sensing arrangement to determine a remaining amount of fluid in the reservoir based at least in part on the sensed position of the detectable feature. In embodiments, the optical sensor detects the sensed position of the shaft based on the detectable feature only when the reservoir is replaced and/or after each delivery of fluid to reduce power consumption.