Wearable Imaging System for Infusion Set Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures for fluid sampling and delivery are prone to errors due to manual steps involved in preparation, confirmation, and documentation, which can lead to incorrect procedures and lost patient data.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a wearable electronic device with imaging sensors, data transmission interfaces, and a microprocessor to automate the identification, confirmation, and documentation of fluid delivery procedures in real-time, reducing the need for manual input and minimizing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual steps are used for preparation, confirmation, and documentation of fluid delivery procedures, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the risk of errors increases and data input integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of medication and fluid delivery errorsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable electronic device automatically performs identification, confirmation, and documentation of fluid delivery procedures without requiring manual intervention. The imaging sensor captures images of the fluid delivery apparatus, the processor automatically identifies and confirms the procedure, and data is automatically transmitted to patient records, eliminating manual steps while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated electronic system. The imaging sensor substitutes for manual visual inspection, the processor substitutes for manual verification, and the data transmission interface substitutes for manual documentation entry, thereby reducing human error while introducing electronic complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual documentation is used for fluid delivery procedures, then the device complexity is low, but the time required for documentation increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocumentation speedVSAvoidautomation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable electronic device is pre-configured with imaging sensors, processors, and data transmission capabilities that automatically perform documentation functions in real-time during the fluid delivery procedure, eliminating the need for post-procedure manual documentation and significantly reducing documentation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated documentation system operates continuously during the fluid delivery procedure without interruption. The imaging sensor continuously captures images, the processor continuously verifies the procedure, and data transmission continuously updates patient records, ensuring documentation keeps pace with the procedure rather than requiring separate manual steps afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If manual verification of fluid delivery is performed, then the system remains simple, but the measurement precision and accuracy of procedure confirmation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of procedure confirmationVSAvoidverification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging sensor creates a visual copy (image) of the fluid delivery apparatus and its connection to the patient, which the processor then analyzes to verify the procedure. This digital copy allows for precise verification of connection points and procedure accuracy without requiring complex physical measurement devices or manual inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual verification with an automated imaging and processing system. The imaging sensor captures precise visual data, and the processor automatically analyzes this data to confirm procedure accuracy, providing higher measurement precision than manual verification while introducing electronic verification complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12208240B2System for verifying connection points of an infusion set for patient medication and fluid delivery

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

A system for confirmation of fluid delivery to a patient at the clinical point of use is provided. The system includes a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device has a housing; at least one imaging sensor associated with the housing; a data transmission interface; a data reporting accessory for providing data to the user; a microprocessor for managing the at least one imaging sensor, the data transmission interface, and the data reporting accessory; and a program for acquiring and processing images from the at least one imaging sensor. The system further includes a fluid delivery apparatus; and one or more identification tags attached to or integrally formed with the fluid delivery apparatus. The program processes an image captured by the at least one imaging sensor to identify the one or more identification tags and acquires fluid delivery apparatus information from the one or more identification tags.