Pericardial Flushing System with Multi-Wavelength Hematocrit Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current postoperative flushing systems for wounds and body cavities, particularly the pericardial cavity, face challenges in accurately measuring blood loss and controlling flow rates, leading to excessive bleeding and the risk of cardiac tamponade due to clot accumulation and fibrinolytic activity.
Innovation Solution
A flushing system equipped with a hematocrit sensor that uses different wavelengths of light to accurately measure hematocrit values in effusion liquid, combined with a flow rate control system and suction devices to manage blood loss, preventing clot formation and accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single wavelength light source is used in the hematocrit sensor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of hematocrit values is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into multiple wavelengths (green and red/near-infrared) to enable differential measurement of hematocrit values. This segmentation allows the sensor to distinguish between different blood concentrations more accurately by analyzing light absorption at multiple spectral points, directly resolving the measurement precision issue while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular wavelength selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameter (wavelength) of the light source from a single value to multiple values. By utilizing different wavelengths with distinct absorption characteristics for blood components, the system achieves enhanced hematocrit measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the parameter change is implemented through standard multi-wavelength optical components.
2Productivity
If the infusion liquid flow rate is increased to prevent clot accumulation, then the productivity of blood loss management is improved, but the loss of substance (infusion liquid) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring hematocrit values in the effusion liquid and using this information to dynamically adjust the infusion liquid flow rate. When hematocrit levels indicate effective flushing, the system reduces infusion rate to minimize liquid consumption. This feedback mechanism maintains high productivity in blood loss management while optimizing substance loss through real-time adaptation to actual bleeding conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion flow rate is made dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to adapt the flushing speed based on real-time hematocrit measurements. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain effective clot prevention (high productivity) while consuming minimal infusion liquid by matching the flow rate to the actual bleeding intensity and flushing efficiency at any given moment.
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
The system enables precise measurement and control of blood loss, reducing the risk of cardiac tamponade and postoperative bleeding, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for re-exploration and transfusions.
Implementation Method 1
a hematocrit sensor configured to optically measure the hematocrit value of the effusion liquid by means of emitting light having different wavelengths to each other, wherein the different wavelengths are respectively assigned to the green wavelength range and to the red or near-infrared wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
a hematocrit sensor configured to optically measure the hematocrit value of the effusion liquid by means of emitting light having different wavelengths to each other
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a flushing system (1, 300, 400, 500) configured to flush a wound and/or a body cavity, in particular the pericardial cavity (PC), of a patient, wherein the system (1, 300, 400, 500) comprises: an infusion liquid outlet (2) to connect a first tube (4) having an infusion liquid lumen to guide a flow of infusion liquid from the system (1, 300, 400, 500) to the wound and/or the body cavity, in particular the pericardial cavity (PC); an effusion liquid inlet (6) to connect to a second tube (8) having an effusion liquid lumen to guide the effusion liquid flow from the wound and/or the body cavity, in particular the pericardial cavity (PC), to the system (1, 300, 400, 500); a flow rate control system to control the flow rate of the infusion liquid flow at the infusion liquid outlet (2), wherein the flow rate control system comprises: a control unit (16) to provide one or more control signals, and a pump device (62) to pump infusion liquid to the infusion liquid outlet (2) at an infusion liquid flow rate, wherein the infusion liquid flow rate is adjustable by the control signals of the control unit (16); and a hematocrit sensor (54) configured to optically measure the hematocrit value of the effusion liquid, which is received via the effusion liquid inlet (6), for obtaining a blood loss volume and/or a blood loss flow rate and/or a blood loss flow rate trend from the wound and/or the body cavity, in particular the pericardial cavity (PC), by means of emitting light having different wavelengths to each other, wherein the different wavelengths are respectively assigned to the green wavelength range and to the red or near-infrared wavelength range.