Spring-Contact Flow Sensor Assembly for Equal Piezo Contact Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to reduce medication errors during intravenous bolus delivery by providing an automated record of medication, concentration, volume, and time of injection, while also alerting healthcare professionals of inconsistencies with a patient's medical record.
Innovation Solution
A flow sensor system comprising a single-use flow sensor and a reusable base unit, equipped with piezo elements and spring contacts, that electronically measures and documents bolus delivery, and provides alerts for inconsistencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring contacts are used to provide electrical connection to piezo elements, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to force equivalence constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the physical dimensions (length, width, thickness) and material properties of the spring contacts to achieve equivalent contact forces. By modifying these parameters, the design ensures that both spring contacts exert equal force on the piezo elements, thereby maintaining manufacturing feasibility while achieving reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring contacts are designed with elastic properties that allow them to dynamically adjust to variations in assembly tolerances and piezo element positioning. This dynamic capability enables the spring contacts to self-compensate for manufacturing variations, ensuring equivalent contact forces without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If automated flow sensing and documentation system is implemented, then medication errors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: flow sensors for detecting medicament flow, piezo elements for generating signals, spring contacts for electrical connection, and a documentation system for recording administration data. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow sensor system automatically detects flow, generates electrical signals through piezo elements, transmits them via spring contacts, and documents the medication administration without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex control systems and manual monitoring, thereby enhancing safety while managing complexity.
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
The system reduces medication errors by electronically recording and documenting bolus delivery, ensuring accurate medication administration and providing timely alerts, thereby enhancing patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first piezo element arranged at an upstream position of the flow tube and a second piezo element arranged at a downstream position of the flow tube
Data Source
AI summary
A flow sensor sub-assembly for sensing flow of a fluidic medicament is disclosed. The flow sensor sub-assembly includes a first spring contact and a second spring contact. The spring contacts are secured to a base that has a circuit for conducting an electrical signal to and from the spring contacts to a microprocessor. The first spring contact is in electrical communication with a first piezo element and the second spring contact is in electrical communication with a second piezo element. The first spring contact has a first contact force against the first piezo element and the second spring contact has a second contact force against the second piezo element, and the first and second contact forces are equivalent. A circuit board for interfacing to a flow sensor having a plurality of piezo elements for transmitting a flow signal indicative of flow of fluidic medicament is also disclosed.