Smart Connector Sensor Assembly for Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In peritoneal dialysis, it is challenging to reliably determine operating parameters such as temperature and pressure of the fluid as it travels from the dialysis machine to the patient, leading to potential patient discomfort or harm due to temperature fluctuations and pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly is deployed that includes a flow tube with integrated sensors for temperature, pressure, and other parameters, which communicates wirelessly with the dialysis machine to stop automatic cycling if predetermined values are exceeded, ensuring safe fluid delivery and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the PD machine is located a significant distance from the patient, then the machine can be positioned conveniently, but the fluid temperature and pressure change during transit causing patient discomfort or harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by placing sensors at the patient end (distal to the catheter) to measure temperature and pressure before the fluid enters the patient's body. This allows the system to detect and respond to parameter changes in advance, adjusting heating or flow rates proactively to maintain safe fluid conditions despite the distance between machine and patient.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into the connector, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensors (temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and optionally flow sensor or air detector) into a single integrated sensor assembly that connects to the catheter. This consolidation allows simultaneous measurement of multiple fluid parameters through one compact unit, improving monitoring comprehensiveness while minimizing the number of separate components and connections required.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly measures characteristics of a fluid entering or exiting a patient via a catheter. The sensor assembly includes a flow tube that accepts the fluid at a first end thereof expels the fluid at a second end thereof, a plurality of sensors disposed about the flow tube, the sensors including at least one temperature sensor that measures temperature of the fluid and at least one pressure sensor that measures pressure of the fluid, and a connector that connects the sensor assembly to the catheter. The sensors may also include a clarity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a flow sensor, and/or an air detector. The sensor assembly may also include a wireless communication device that provides wireless communication. The sensor assembly may communicate with a dialysis machine via a network. The dialysis machine may be a peritoneal dialysis machine.