Remote Dialysis Fluid Pump Control for Timely Home Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical fluid delivery machines, particularly for home-based therapies, require patients to be in close proximity for initiating and managing treatment sequences, which limits flexibility and efficiency, and existing communication systems do not adequately address the needs of patients and caregivers for remote interaction.
Innovation Solution
A software application installed on a patient's or caregiver's mobile communication device that provides reminders and enables remote control of medical fluid delivery machines, allowing for two-way communication and integration with a centralized server for managing multiple machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patients remain in close proximity to the medical fluid delivery machine for treatment initiation and management, then treatment reliability is ensured, but patient lifestyle flexibility and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile communication device serves as an intermediary between the patient and the medical fluid delivery machine. The device receives treatment initiation commands from the patient remotely, transmits them to the machine via a network connection, and relays status information back to the patient, enabling treatment management without physical proximity to the machine
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the treatment management function into two separate components: the control interface on the mobile communication device and the execution interface on the medical fluid delivery machine. This allows the patient to interact with the machine through the remote device while the machine maintains its treatment delivery capabilities independently
2Reliability
If patients are required to be physically present at the machine for treatment initiation, then communication reliability is maintained, but time efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The physical mechanical interaction between patient and machine (requiring presence at the device) is replaced with an electronic communication system. The mobile communication device transmits treatment initiation commands and receives status updates through network communication, eliminating the need for physical presence while maintaining communication reliability
3Speed
If disposable sets are prepared in advance for treatment, then treatment speed is improved, but waste increases due to expired sets when treatment is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static approach (preparing disposable sets in advance with fixed expiration times) to a dynamic approach. Treatment initiation is triggered remotely in real-time based on patient need, and the machine prepares and delivers the treatment immediately upon receiving the command, eliminating the need for advance preparation and reducing waste from expired sets
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of disposable set availability and compatibility before treatment initiation is commanded. The machine checks whether appropriate sets are available in the supply and prepares them for use only after receiving a confirmed treatment initiation command, ensuring sets are used before expiration without premature preparation
Data Source
AI summary
A medical fluid delivery system and device for remote machine updating and control are disclosed. An example medical fluid delivery device includes a processor and a dialysis fluid circuit including at least one dialysis fluid pump. The processor determines a self-test needs to be performed and transmits, to a server via a network, a message indicating (i) that the self-test is ready to be performed or (ii) a time to perform the self-test. The processor receives, from the server via the network, a command message to perform the self-test. The processor then causes the at least one dialysis fluid pump to perform the self-test.