Syringe Pump Empty Detection via Multi-Parameter Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion devices struggle to accurately detect when a disposable syringe is empty, leading to premature stoppage of the syringe drive mechanism and potential under-delivery of medication.
Innovation Solution
A method and algorithm that adjust operational parameters, such as flow rate or threshold, to ensure consistent emptying of the syringe and timely signaling of emptiness, by monitoring pressure and fluid delivery characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the syringe drive mechanism continues to push the plunger until traditional empty detection, then the syringe may be completely emptied, but the detection time is delayed significantly causing premature stoppage or bottoming out
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring multiple parameters (pressure, flow rate, plunger position) simultaneously during infusion, rather than waiting for traditional end-of-infusion signals. This allows the system to detect empty conditions earlier by analyzing trends in these parameters before the syringe is fully emptied, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and detection time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of pressure, flow rate, and plunger position during the infusion process. By analyzing feedback from these sensors in real-time, the system can detect deviations from expected infusion patterns that indicate an empty syringe, enabling earlier and more accurate detection without delaying the infusion process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the syringe drive mechanism stops prematurely due to early empty detection, then device resources are conserved, but the patient may not receive the full prescribed dose
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous feedback from pressure, flow rate, and plunger position sensors to verify that the syringe is truly empty before stopping the infusion. This multi-parameter verification ensures that the patient receives the full prescribed dose while preventing unnecessary continuation of infusion after the syringe is empty, thus conserving device resources without compromising medication delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in infusion parameters (pressure, flow rate, plunger position) to detect when the syringe becomes empty. By analyzing parameter trends and deviations from expected values, the system can reliably determine when to stop the infusion, ensuring complete medication delivery while avoiding unnecessary resource consumption from continued pumping.
3Device complexity
If traditional empty detection methods are used, then the system is simpler to implement, but the detection is delayed and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing sensors (pressure, flow rate, plunger position) for multiple purposes: monitoring infusion progress, detecting empty conditions, and verifying complete medication delivery. This multi-functional use of existing components enables earlier empty detection without significantly increasing device complexity, as the same sensors serve both traditional monitoring and early empty detection functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A trigger condition for entering a syringe empty mode is determined. The trigger condition includes adjusting an operational parameter of an infusion device associated with the syringe to complete a fluid delivery performed by the syringe. The fluid delivery is monitored and, responsive to the fluid delivery satisfying the trigger condition, the infusion device is caused to enter the syringe empty mode. While in the empty mode, a flow rate or threshold associated with the fluid delivery is adjusted to facilitate emptying a fluid from the syringe, and an alert is provided when the threshold associated with the fluid delivery has been satisfied.