Portable Slave Infusion Pump Control for Remote Therapy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion pumps are large and cumbersome, making them difficult to store and use in medical facilities and limiting their portability for administering therapies outside the facility, such as at home or during travel, and they lack remote control and effective patient information delivery.
Innovation Solution
A portable slave infusion pump system with reduced size and functionality, controlled by a master infusion pump, allowing remote configuration and communication through a user device, and providing therapy information via a separate display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional infusion pumps are used, then therapy delivery function is ensured, but device portability deteriorates due to large size
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the infusion pump functionality into two separate components: a portable slave pump that can be worn or carried by the patient, and a remote master pump that remains stationary. The slave pump contains only the essential therapy delivery mechanism, while the master pump houses the control interface, display, and configuration capabilities. This segmentation allows the patient to benefit from portability while the therapy delivery function remains robust through the master pump's comprehensive controls.
2Weight of moving object
If pump size is reduced for portability, then device portability improves, but device functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The master pump serves multiple functions: it acts as a configuration device for the slave pump, provides a user interface for therapy parameters, displays therapy information, and enables remote monitoring. By concentrating these diverse functions in the master pump rather than the portable slave pump, the slave pump can remain small and simple while the system as a whole maintains comprehensive functionality.
3Ease of operation
If remote control capability is added, then patient mobility improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a wireless communication interface as an intermediary between the master and slave pumps. This communication layer enables remote control and monitoring capabilities without requiring complex physical connections or integrated circuits within the portable slave pump. The wireless intermediary handles the complexity of data transmission, configuration updates, and monitoring communications externally to the portable device.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, by a master infusion device from a server, at least one fluid delivery protocol. The fluid delivery protocol includes one or more parameters for delivering a fluid to a user. The method also includes configuring, by the master infusion device, a first slave infusion pump with a first fluid delivery protocol of the at least one fluid delivery protocol. The method further includes configuring, by the master infusion device, a second slave infusion pump with a second fluid delivery protocol of the at least one fluid delivery protocol. The method also includes delivering, by the first slave infusion pump and based on the first fluid delivery protocol, the fluid to the user. Related methods and articles of manufacture, including apparatuses and computer program products, are also disclosed.