Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Fluid Balance Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood processing systems lack consistency in maintaining fluid balance during therapeutic exchange procedures, leading to inaccuracies that can result in excessive or insufficient fluid replacement, which is particularly concerning for pediatric patients.
Innovation Solution
A system with dual flow paths and reservoirs, controlled by a controller that adjusts flow rates based on actual volume measurements to achieve a desired net fluid volume difference, ensuring precise fluid balance during and after medical fluid exchange procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current blood processing systems are used for therapeutic exchange procedures, then the procedure can be performed, but fluid balance consistency deteriorates leading to inaccuracies in fluid replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual fluid volumes removed from and returned to the patient using reservoir sensors, compares these measurements to commanded volumes, and automatically adjusts pump flow rates to correct any discrepancies. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures fluid balance consistency by real-time compensation for measurement inaccuracies and flow rate variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces purely mechanical flow control systems with an integrated electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and adjustable pumps. This substitution enables precise electronic measurement and control of fluid volumes, replacing inadequate mechanical measurement methods with accurate electronic sensing and computational correction.
2Reliability
If therapeutic exchange procedures are performed without fluid balance control, then the procedure can be completed, but patient safety deteriorates due to excessive or insufficient fluid replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors fluid volumes and automatically adjusts flow rates to maintain the desired net fluid volume difference, providing real-time safety assurance. This automated feedback loop eliminates the need for manual monitoring and intervention, enhancing patient safety while managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting fluid balance deviations and adjusting its own operation parameters without external intervention. The controller autonomously modifies pump speeds and flow rates based on measured versus commanded volume differences, enabling the system to self-regulate and maintain safety margins.
3Measurement precision
If fixed flow rates are used during fluid exchange, then the system operation is simple, but fluid balance accuracy deteriorates due to flow rate variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed flow rates to dynamic adjustable flow rates that automatically adapt to actual operating conditions. The controller continuously modifies pump speeds based on real-time measurements of actual versus commanded volumes, enabling the system to compensate for variations in patient physiology, pump performance, and fluid properties while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically changes flow rate parameters during the procedure based on measured performance. The system adjusts commanded flow rates as control parameters to compensate for deviations, transforming the operation from using fixed parameters to using adaptively modified parameters that maintain accuracy despite changing conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling fluid flow during a fluid exchange procedure. In one aspect, a system is provided for controlling a net fluid volume difference of a patient during and/or after a fluid exchange procedure. The system comprises a first flow path for flowing at least a first fluid from the patient and a second flow path for flowing at least a second fluid to the patient. First and second reservoirs are respectively associated with the first and second flow paths. A controller is associated with the first and second flow paths for controlling first and second flow rates and operable to determine an actual flow rate for each first and second fluid and to change a first or second flow rate in response to a difference between at least one of such flow rates and its respective actual flow rate.