Thermal Flow Sensor for Enteral Feeding Occlusion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enteral feeding pump systems face issues with occlusions in tubing, leading to reduced or ceased fluid nutrition flow, necessitating a reliable flow detection system to ensure consistent delivery.
Innovation Solution
A flow sensor system utilizing a heat source, such as an IR LED, and a heat detector, like a thermopile sensor, is integrated into the enteral feeding system to detect flow by heating a portion of the fluid and monitoring temperature changes downstream, allowing for the detection of occlusions by processing relative temperature signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow sensor system is implemented to detect occlusions, then flow detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow sensors with a thermal-based detection system using an infrared LED and thermopile sensor. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining flow detection capability through thermal field measurements of the fluid passing through the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from mechanical pressure or flow rate measurements to thermal parameter measurements. By monitoring temperature changes of the fluid as it passes through the conduit, the system achieves reliable flow detection without requiring complex mechanical sensing components.
2Measurement precision
If thermal detection method is used to detect flow, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared LED is activated in periodic pulses rather than continuously, allowing the system to accumulate thermal energy in the fluid during each pulse and then detect the thermal signature as the warmed fluid passes the thermopile sensor. This periodic activation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous flow of fluid through the conduit, allowing the thermal energy introduced by the LED pulse to be continuously carried past the detection point. This continuous fluid movement ensures that the thermal signal remains detectable without requiring repeated high-energy pulses.
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 effectively determines the presence or absence of flow, identifying partial or complete occlusions, thereby ensuring reliable fluid delivery and preventing interruptions in nutrition supply.
Implementation Method 1
activating the heat source for a programmed time interval to heat at least a portion of the liquid nutrient formula in the conduit
Implementation Method 2
the heat detector includes a thermopile sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.