Syringe Pump Flush Infusion Switching With Remaining Volume Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing syringe pumps fail to accurately document and administer flush fluids, leading to potential under- or overdosing due to the lack of linkage between medication and flush orders, and manual programming that is unaware of the flush fluid connection.
Innovation Solution
A syringe pump system with sensors and processors that automatically detect the remaining medication volume, initiate flush fluid delivery, and electronically document the completion of medication orders, ensuring accurate and safe administration without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual programming is used for flush fluid delivery, then the system is simple to operate, but the system fails to accurately document and administer flush fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe pump system automatically detects when a syringe is loaded, determines the remaining medication volume, calculates the required flush volume, and initiates flush delivery without user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the transition from medication to flush fluid, eliminating the need for manual programming while ensuring accurate documentation and delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect syringe loading and provides feedback to the processor, which then determines the remaining medication volume and automatically initiates the appropriate flush delivery. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate tracking of fluid delivery and proper documentation without requiring user input.
2Reliability
If the system automatically detects syringe loading and initiates flush delivery, then flush fluid delivery accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe pump system performs multiple functions: it delivers medication, detects syringe loading, determines remaining volume, calculates flush requirements, and delivers flush fluid. By making the system universal and multi-functional, the increased capabilities are integrated into a single device, reducing the need for separate systems while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously manages the entire process from medication delivery to flush administration without requiring user intervention. The self-service capability enhances reliability by eliminating manual errors while the integrated nature of the functions keeps the system manageable despite its complexity.
3Loss of information
If the system links medication and flush orders electronically, then documentation accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the medication order and flush order into a single electronic documentation workflow. By combining these previously separate processes, the system ensures accurate tracking of total fluid delivery and proper association of flush with the corresponding medication administration, reducing information loss without requiring separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically generates and updates electronic documentation when syringes are loaded and flushed are delivered, without requiring manual data entry. This self-service documentation approach improves accuracy by eliminating transcription errors while keeping the electronic system manageable through automated processes.
4Productivity
If the system requires user intervention to program flush delivery, then the system is easier to control, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining the remaining medication volume and calculating the required flush volume as soon as a syringe is loaded. This preliminary calculation and preparation eliminate the need for manual programming steps, improving productivity while the automated nature maintains ease of operation through a simple load-and-go interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously manages the flush delivery process without requiring user control inputs. This self-service approach improves productivity by eliminating delays associated with manual programming while maintaining ease of operation through automatic detection and execution, requiring minimal user interaction.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A syringe pump determines, upon receiving a new syringe, that at least a first portion of a predetermined amount of a first fluid was previously delivered by the syringe pump according to a first fluid delivery order before the new syringe was loaded into the syringe pump, and determines a second portion of the first fluid remaining to be delivered to complete the predetermined amount of the first fluid for the first fluid delivery order. A delivery of a second fluid is initiated by the syringe pump and, when an amount of the second fluid delivered from the new syringe satisfies the second portion of the first fluid remaining to be delivered, the pump automatically, without user intervention, indicates the first fluid delivery order as being complete, de-associates the first fluid delivery order from the syringe pump, and associates the syringe pump with the second fluid delivery order.