Implantable Pump Actuator Self-Diagnostics via Current Waveforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable fluid delivery devices often experience fault conditions such as stalled or partially stalled motors, air locks, and power source depletion, which can render them inoperable and are not effectively detected by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor and processor system that detects properties associated with the actuation mechanism's energization, such as current waveforms, to identify fault conditions and initiate recovery actions or alarms when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing fault detection technologies are used in implantable medical pumps, then the device structure remains simple, but fault conditions such as motor stalls, air locks, and power depletion cannot be effectively detected
Solution Approach 1:
The medical pump uses its existing actuation mechanism to perform dual functions: both pumping therapeutic fluid and detecting fault conditions. The actuation mechanism's electrical properties are monitored to self-diagnose issues like motor stalls, air locks, and power depletion without requiring separate dedicated sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanism is designed to serve multiple purposes: it acts as both the motor for fluid delivery and the sensor for fault detection. By monitoring the electrical characteristics of this single component, the system achieves comprehensive fault detection across multiple failure modes without adding separate specialized sensors.
2Ease of operation
If no fault detection system is implemented, then the device complexity remains low, but the device becomes inoperable when fault conditions occur and cannot be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the electrical properties of the actuation mechanism and uses this feedback to detect fault conditions. When anomalies are detected, the system can initiate recovery actions or alert clinicians, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains operational awareness without requiring complex external monitoring equipment.
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
Enables the detection and management of fault conditions in implantable medical pumps, ensuring continued fluid delivery and patient safety by identifying and responding to issues like motor stalls, air locks, and power depletion.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation mechanism configured to be energized to provide a pump stroke
Implementation Method 2
detecting a property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting a fault condition within an implantable medical pump comprises delivering therapeutic fluid using a medical pump comprising an actuation mechanism configured to be energized to provide a pump stroke, detecting a property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism, and determining whether the property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism indicates that a fault condition exists with the medical pump.