Automatic Relay Pump System for Seamless Syringe Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical pump relay systems face challenges in maintaining continuous infusion during transportation and require significant attention for smooth changeovers, leading to potential interruptions and adverse effects, especially when dealing with small medication containers or medications with short half-lives.
Innovation Solution
An automatic relay pump system that monitors pressure in the fluid line and performs seamless transitions between multiple pumps using a controller, pressure sensing device, and reflux barrier to maintain continuous flow and prevent bolus formation, reducing sensitivity to transportation and mechanical variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual relay operation is used to ensure smooth changeover between syringes, then continuity of medication administration is maintained, but medical staff must spend significant time and attention on equipment monitoring rather than patient care
Solution Approach 1:
The relay system automatically detects when a syringe is depleted and initiates the changeover process without requiring medical staff intervention. The system self-manages the transition between syringes, eliminating the need for staff to monitor and manually operate the relay process, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining continuity and reducing operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors continuously monitor the fluid line pressure to detect when a syringe is depleted. This feedback mechanism triggers automatic relay operation, ensuring continuity of medication administration while eliminating the need for manual monitoring and operation, thereby resolving the time consumption issue.
2Ease of operation
If syringe pump is raised above the patient during transport, then accessibility is improved, but unexpected bolus injection may occur due to low friction resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The reflux barrier is pre-installed in the fluid line to prevent backflow and bolus injection before they can occur. This preliminary protective measure counteracts the harmful effect of gravity-induced bolus injection when the pump is raised during transport, while still allowing the pump to be positioned for accessibility.
3Reliability
If manual purging of air from fluid tubing is performed during syringe replacement, then successful changeover is ensured, but the process becomes complex and requires continuous staff attention
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic relay system performs the purging operation automatically during the relay process without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages air removal from the fluid line, simplifying the changeover process while ensuring successful transition between syringes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary purging actions automatically as part of the relay sequence, preparing the fluid line for the next syringe before the changeover is complete. This preliminary action ensures successful changeover while eliminating the need for complex manual purging procedures.
4Ease of operation
If pressure control is not maintained during relay operation, then the system is simpler to operate, but frictional and mechanical variations cause unreliable fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors continuously monitor fluid line pressure and provide feedback to the control system. The system automatically adjusts pump operation to maintain consistent pressure despite frictional and mechanical variations, ensuring reliable fluid flow while keeping the operation simple through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes pump speed and pressure parameters during relay operation to compensate for mechanical variations. By automatically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains reliable fluid flow without requiring complex manual operation.
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
Ensures uninterrupted and precise medication administration by automating the relay process, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing disruptions during container changes, thus improving patient care by maintaining continuous infusion therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensing device configured to generate sensor signals representative of fluid pressure at one or more locations within the fluid communication device
Implementation Method 2
a fluid output having a reflux barrier configured to allow fluid in the fluid communication device to flow through the reflux barrier
Implementation Method 3
the controller operates the respective driver in a reverse direction with respect to the first medication container to decrease the pressure within the fluid communication device
Implementation Method 4
the controller operates the respective driver in a forward direction with respect to a second medication container to increase the pressure within the fluid communication device to a reference pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic pump relay system includes controllers coupled to drivers for sequentially discharging fluid from a plurality of medication containers into a coupler having a reflux barrier from which fluid is administered to a patient. The internal fluid pressure of the coupler is determined by a pressure sensing device or devices that provide signals to the controllers that, based at least on the sensor signals, cause the drivers to operate in reverse and forward directions so as to rapidly decrease and raise the fluid pressure within the coupler during a relay from an empty syringe to a filled syringe, thereby avoiding bolus formation and an interruption in infusion therapy. Independently operable syringes pumps are contemplated to be connected in relay fashion to form a modular system. An associated method is also disclosed wherein a fluid administration pressure is stored for use as a reference during a syringe changeover.