Programmer Interface Visualizing Fluid Location in Implantable Delivery Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical devices lack effective visualization tools for programming phases such as priming and bridging, making it difficult for clinicians to accurately manage fluid delivery and transition between therapeutic agents.
Innovation Solution
A programmer device that displays graphical representations of implantable fluid delivery devices, showing the progression of fluid through the device during actual or simulated delivery phases, allowing clinicians to visualize and verify the accuracy of priming and bridging processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If implantable fluid delivery devices are programmed without visualization tools, then the device can deliver therapy, but clinicians cannot accurately verify fluid location and delivery phase progress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the actual fluid delivery system components (reservoir, tubing, catheter) and fluid locations within the programmer interface. This graphical representation allows clinicians to verify fluid location and delivery phase progress without adding physical complexity to the implantable device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmer acts as an intermediary between the implantable fluid delivery device and the clinician. It receives data from the device (fluid location, delivery phase progress) and presents it in a visualized format, enabling accurate verification without requiring direct observation of the implanted device.
2Manufacturing precision
If clinicians lack visualization of delivery phases, then programming is simpler, but accuracy of priming and bridging processes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the programming interface by displaying graphical representations of fluid locations and delivery phase progress. This transforms abstract device states into visual information that clinicians can interpret, improving accuracy without fundamentally complicating the programming workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface uses visual indicators such as color coding to represent different fluid locations, delivery phases, and system states. This provides intuitive feedback to clinicians about the status of priming and bridging processes, enhancing accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If no visual feedback is provided during fluid delivery, then the device operates autonomously, but clinician control and verification capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the implantable device continuously reports its state (fluid location, delivery phase progress) to the external programmer, which then displays this information visually. This closed-loop feedback enables clinicians to monitor and verify therapeutic agent transitions, improving reliability while maintaining appropriate levels of automation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A programmer device includes an interface that communicates with an implantable fluid delivery device and a user interface that displays a representation of a portion of the implantable fluid delivery device and displays an indication of a location of fluid within the implantable fluid delivery device during a delivery phase, e.g., a priming or bridging phase. The user interface may display a representation of progress of the delivery phase. The user interface may display the indication of the location of the fluid within internal tubing of the implantable fluid delivery device or within a catheter of the implantable fluid delivery device. The programmer device may display the representation of the progress of the delivery phase as a simulation of the delivery phase or during the actual delivery phase of the implantable fluid delivery device. A user may therefore observe a location of fluid corresponding to progress of the delivery phase.