Wearable IV Bag with Collapsible Chambers and Pump Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV bags are impractical for long-term wear due to inflexibility and bulkiness, and lack granular control over fluid delivery, leading to potential fluid backflow and inadequate administration of medications.
Innovation Solution
A wearable IV bag system with multiple fluidic channels that can be comfortably wrapped around the body, combined with a processor-controlled electromechanical delivery mechanism using a peristaltic or reciprocating pump for precise control over fluid delivery, allowing programmable delivery periods and rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional IV bags are used for portable administration, then fluid delivery is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and inflexible making it uncomfortable for long-term wear
Solution Approach 1:
The IV bag is divided into multiple collapsible chambers that can be individually collapsed as fluid is delivered. This segmentation allows the bag to maintain a compact form factor while delivering fluid over extended periods, reducing bulkiness and improving comfort for long-term wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The IV bag incorporates collapsible chambers that dynamically change volume as fluid is delivered. The chambers collapse inward to maintain a compact shape, transforming the bag from a rigid bulky structure to a flexible dynamic system that adapts to the wearer's body contours.
2Ease of operation
If gravity-based fluid delivery is used, then simple administration is achieved, but granular control over delivery rate is lost and fluid backflow may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor fluid delivery rate, chamber collapse status, and potential backflow conditions. This feedback is transmitted to a remote device that can adjust delivery parameters in real-time, enabling precise control over delivery rate while maintaining simple operation through automated monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely gravity-based mechanical delivery with an electromechanical pump system that can be precisely controlled. The pump mechanism provides active control over fluid delivery rate, preventing backflow by maintaining positive pressure, while allowing granular adjustment of delivery parameters through electronic control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IV bags are designed for portability, then mobility is improved, but the device becomes inflexible and uncomfortable for extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The IV bag utilizes flexible collapsible chambers made from thin film materials that can conform to body contours. These flexible chambers maintain portability while providing comfort for extended wear, as they can be compressed and molded to fit the wearer's anatomy without rigid structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible chambers dynamically adapt their shape and volume as fluid is delivered, transforming from a rigid portable container to a flexible system that moves with the wearer's body. This dynamic behavior maintains both portability and flexibility throughout the fluid delivery process.
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
Enables flexible and comfortable long-term wear of IV bags, preventing fluid backflow and allowing for precise, granular control over medication administration, accommodating different drug delivery requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump that delivers the fluid from the wearable IV bag to a person through a tube
Data Source
AI summary
An intravenous (IV) fluid delivery system include first and second IV bags and a fluid delivery device. The IV bags are made of many fluidic channels that keep the fluid distributed across the bags such that the bags may be easily and comfortably wrapped around the arm and shoulder of a person. The fluid delivery device includes a processor controlled electromechanical delivery mechanism that controls a positive displacement pump. The pump moves the fluid into a tube and a needle that is connected to a person's vein. The processor repeatedly turns the pump on or off to gradually transfer the fluid from the IV bags into the person's vein. The processor controls the granularity of the fluid delivery, where the fluid may be administered in a fluid delivery period, the fluid delivery may then be stopped in a subsequent fluid stoppage period, followed by other fluid delivery periods.