Organ Perfusion Apparatus Tilt and Shock Sensing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organ perfusion apparatuses face issues with suboptimal performance or failure due to excessive tilt or physical shock during transportation and handling, which can lead to exposure of perfusion circuit components to air or perfusate, causing damage to both the apparatus and the organ.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a tilt detector and shock sensor, such as an accelerometer, to monitor and control the perfusion apparatus' operation, temporarily or permanently ceasing perfusion if tilt exceeds a predetermined angle or shock thresholds are met, with the ability to record such events for user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the organ perfusion apparatus is made portable for transportation, then the organ can be transported over greater distances and stored longer, but the apparatus becomes susceptible to tilt and shock that can cause suboptimal performance or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt detector and shock sensor are activated before transportation begins to monitor conditions proactively. The controller is pre-programmed with threshold values for tilt angles and shock forces, enabling it to anticipate and respond to harmful conditions before they cause damage to the organ or apparatus failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system continuously feeds back tilt and shock information to the controller, which automatically adjusts perfusion parameters or shuts down the system when thresholds are exceeded. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the organ remains protected during transportation without requiring constant manual monitoring.
2Ease of operation
If the apparatus is tilted beyond a predetermined angle during transport, then handling flexibility is improved, but gas can be drawn into the perfusion circuit or perfusate can expose components not designed for it, causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt detector continuously monitors apparatus orientation and triggers preventive actions before harmful tilting occurs. When the detector senses approach toward critical tilt angles, the controller preemptively adjusts perfusion flow rates or activates air traps to counteract the incoming harmful effect, preventing gas entry into the circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time tilt angle feedback from the detector enables the controller to dynamically adjust perfusion parameters. If tilt approaches thresholds that could cause gas entry or improper perfusate exposure, the system automatically corrects by modifying flow rates or activating protective mechanisms, maintaining circuit integrity throughout handling operations.
3Reliability
If shock sensors and tilt detectors are added to monitor and control the apparatus, then damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects tilt angles, measures shock forces, and can even monitor transportation duration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each parameter, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt detection and shock sensing functions are combined within a single accelerometer unit, and both are integrated with the existing perfusion control system through a unified controller. This merging approach consolidates multiple protection functions into one coordinated system rather than requiring separate independent systems, thus managing complexity more effectively.
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
Prevents damage to the apparatus and organ by adjusting perfusion based on detected tilt and shock, ensuring continued optimal operation and maintaining organ viability during transport and storage.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer can detect an orientation of the apparatus and/or shock to the apparatus
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An apparatus (10) for perfusing an organ (20) or tissue includes a perfusion circuit configured to perfuse the organ or tissue; at least one shock and/or tilt detector (150) such as an accelerometer; and a controller. The controller may be configured to control perfusion based upon a signal received from the accelerometer, which may include stopping and/or starting the perfusion based upon the signal. The controller may also sense and/or record shocks experienced by the apparatus.