Medical Fluid Identification via Tracer Compound Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical injection systems lack effective methods for identifying and validating medical fluids before, during, and after injection, particularly in distinguishing between clear fluids and detecting air bubbles or improper storage of contrast media, which can lead to harmful errors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a system with a fluid containing an active compound and a tracer compound, such as nanoparticles or fluorescent nanocrystals, that allows for real-time measurement and adjustment of injection parameters using sensors and feedback paths to ensure accurate fluid delivery and detection of properties like flow rate, extravasation, and concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual syringe injection is used, then operator feedback on fluid pressure/flow is provided, but operator fatigue occurs and fluid pressure/flow varies depending on operator strength
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically monitor fluid pressure, flow rate, and injection parameters without requiring continuous operator intervention. The feedback loop self-adjusts injection parameters based on real-time measurements, eliminating operator fatigue while maintaining consistent fluid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements electronic feedback loops where sensors continuously measure injection parameters and provide real-time data to the control system. This automated feedback replaces manual operator feedback, ensuring consistent fluid pressure and flow rate without operator fatigue.
2Ease of operation
If powered injector automation is used, then operator effort is reduced, but interactive control between operator and injector is eliminated except for start/stop
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts injection parameters in real-time based on sensor feedback while allowing operator intervention when needed. The control system transitions between fully automated operation and operator-controlled modes, providing both reduced effort and maintained adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time sensor feedback enables the powered injector to automatically adjust injection parameters while still allowing the operator to intervene and modify settings when clinical conditions require adaptive control.
3Measurement precision
If clear pharmaceutical contrast is used, then it can be detected by sophisticated imaging systems, but it is difficult to distinguish from air bubbles by eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates colorimetric indicators or fluorescent tracers in the contrast media that change color or emit light under specific conditions. This allows visual differentiation between clear contrast and air bubbles while maintaining detectability by imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical sensors or imaging detectors as intermediaries to identify and distinguish clear contrast media from air bubbles, providing visual feedback to the operator without compromising the contrast's effectiveness in medical imaging.
4Measurement precision
If tracer compounds are added to fluid, then real-time measurement and monitoring is enabled, but fluid composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tracer compounds that alter measurable physical or chemical parameters of the fluid (such as optical properties, conductivity, or magnetic characteristics). These parameter changes enable real-time monitoring without significantly complicating the overall fluid composition or requiring complex additional components.
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
This approach enhances the safety and accuracy of medical fluid injections by enabling real-time monitoring and adjustment, reducing the risk of air bubbles and improper fluid administration, and ensuring the correct concentration and properties of contrast media are maintained.
Implementation Method 1
fluid having at least one active compound and at least one tracer compound... at least one sensor is configured to measure at least one property of the at least one tracer compound in the fluid
Implementation Method 2
the at least one tracer compound may comprise at least one up-converting fluorescent nanocrystal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for injecting fluid to a patient is provided. The system provides manual or automatic verification and identification of the fluid to be injected, prior to, during or after injection. The system includes: a fluid having at least one active compound and at least one tracer compound; an injector configured to deliver the fluid to the patient through a fluid path set; at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the syringe, the injector, or the patient, configured to measure at least one property of the tracer in the fluid, and a feedback path to adjust at least one injection parameter of the injector based on at least one measurement from the at least one sensor.