Infusion Pump Rack Charging Priority Under Thermal Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing power and charging rates in multi-pump assemblies are inefficient and costly, leading to potential battery damage and patient risk due to thermal limitations and varying infusion frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic management system that monitors and adjusts charging profiles for each infusion pump based on parameters such as criticality of medication, battery state, thermal state, and power supply, ensuring optimal power allocation and thermal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple pumps are charged simultaneously at high power rates, then charging speed is improved, but thermal management becomes difficult and battery damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging rates based on real-time thermal conditions, pump priority levels, and battery states. The management system continuously monitors temperature and modifies charging parameters accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic control to resolve the contradiction between charging speed and thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pumps receive different charging rates and thermal management strategies based on their individual priorities, medication criticality, and thermal conditions. Each pump is treated with localized quality control rather than uniform charging, allowing critical pumps to receive higher priority charging while managing overall thermal load.
2Temperature
If active cooling devices are used to manage thermal performance, then temperature control is improved, but power demand and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of charging-induced heat generation into a beneficial thermal management strategy. By deliberately controlling charging rates to generate manageable heat levels, the system avoids the need for high-power active cooling, instead using the heat generation process itself as part of the thermal management solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system uses passive cooling methods and intelligent charging rate control to manage temperature without requiring additional active cooling devices. The charging process itself is regulated to prevent excessive heat accumulation, making the system self-managing rather than requiring separate cooling infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If charging rates are uniformly managed across all pumps, then system complexity is reduced, but charging efficiency and patient safety decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the multi-pump charging management into individual pump control units, each with its own priority level and charging profile. The management system divides the overall charging task into separate controllable segments for each pump, allowing independent optimization of charging rates based on medication criticality, pump status, and thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic charging profiles that automatically adjust based on real-time conditions. Each pump receives a customized charging rate determined by its priority level, battery state, and thermal environment, with continuous monitoring and adjustment to maintain optimal charging efficiency and patient safety.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a new and innovative method for dynamically managing power and charging rates of multi-pump assemblies. In various embodiments, a management system accesses a first charging profile for a first infusion pump and a different, second charging profile for a second infusion pump. The first charging profile specifies times that the first infusion pump is to enter a charge state and times the first infusion pump is to enter a no charge state. The second charging profile specifies times that the second infusion pump is to enter a charge state and times the second infusion pump is to enter a no charge state. The management system uses the respective charging profile to cause the first infusion pump to charge according to the first charging profile and the second infusion pump to charge according to the second charging profile.