MEMS fluid pump with integrated pressure sensor for dysfunction detection
Inventors
Chappel, Eric • Schneeberger, Niklaus • Neftel, Frédéric
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11819662-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a pumping device including a pump (1) comprising—a pumping chamber (11) having a variable volume, —an inlet (2) communicating with the pumping chamber (11) and comprising a valve, —an outlet (5) communicating with the pumping chamber and comprising a valve, —an actuator adapted to change the volume of the pumping chamber, —a fluidic pathway comprising said inlet (2), said pumping chamber (11), said outlet (5) and a downstream line (7) situated downstream of the outlet valve, —a pressure sensor (4) for measuring the pressure between the valves of said pathway, —processing means for processing the received pressure data from the pressure sensor (4). The invention also covers a method for detecting a dysfunction in a pumping device as defined above.
Core Innovation
A medical pumping system administers medical fluid to a patient and includes a pump moving the medical fluid from a reservoir through a fluid pathway to an infusion line connected to an injection site. The system measures a first fluid pressure inside the pump using a first sensor and measures a second fluid pressure downstream the pump using a second sensor. A processor processes the fluid pressure data received from the first sensor and the second sensor to detect a dysfunction in the infusion line based on the fluid pressure data.
The infusion-line dysfunction is detected based on pressure-profile analysis of the pressure data, including pressure peak and plateau levels, widths, and decay after pump strokes. The detected dysfunctions include occlusion, air bubbles, leakage, and infusion line disconnection. The system is configured to inform the patient of a need to either check the infusion line or change the injection site.
The document also describes configurations in which the pressure sensors and processing compare signals to identify dysfunctions, including determining a pressure difference between the first sensor and the second sensor just after a pump stroke and comparing the evolution of first sensor data and second sensor data. An example medical fluid includes an insulin solution, and the monitoring is intended to detect pump and infusion-line dysfunctions before patient treatment adjustments in a close-loop insulin delivery context.
Claims Coverage
The identified independent claim covers a medical pumping system that administers medical fluid and uses two pressure sensors inside the pump and downstream the pump with a processor to detect infusion-line dysfunction from the pressure data, followed by informing the patient to check the infusion line or change the injection site.
Dual pressure sensing inside pump and downstream pump
A medical pumping system includes a first sensor configured to measure a fluid pressure inside the pump and a second sensor configured to measure a fluid pressure downstream the pump.
Processor-based dysfunction detection from pressure data
A processor processes the fluid pressure data received from the first sensor and the second sensor to detect a dysfunction in the infusion line based on the fluid pressure data.
Patient notification to check infusion line or change injection site
The medical pumping system is configured to inform the patient of a need to either check the infusion line or change the injection site.
Overall claim coverage centers on using pump-internal and downstream fluid-pressure measurements together with a processor to detect infusion-line dysfunctions and then provide patient notification regarding checking the infusion line or changing the injection site.
Stated Advantages
Enables detection of infusion-line dysfunction in medical fluid delivery using pressure-profile analysis.
Supports patient notification to check the infusion line or change the injection site.
Supports improved/accurate monitoring suitable for close-loop insulin delivery where pump faults should be detected before patient treatment adjustments.
Documented Applications
Close-loop insulin delivery monitoring, including detecting pump and infusion-line dysfunctions before patient treatment adjustments, with patient notification to check the infusion line or change the injection site.
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