Patent Application
20130123579
The invention relates generally to medical tubing, and more particularly, to illuminated medical tubing providing tubing identification.
In critical care environments, a single patient can be connected to multiple infusion pumps or other tubing-based delivery or removal systems at the same time. Because of this, a multitude of medical tubing can be near and around the patient, making it difficult for medical professionals to know which tubing relates to which infusion pump, delivery system, or removal system. Further, parameters such as route of infusion, drug interaction, and whether the line is putting fluid into the patient's body or carrying fluid away from the patient's body, for example, are critical to the care of a patient. If the wrong medication is placed in the wrong set of tubing, the results can be fatal. Thus, the organization and identification of tubing lines is vitally important.
Currently, the identification of tubing lines is done by hand, often by a medical professional hand-tracing the tubing from the infusion device, through the span of tubing, and the patient. The medical industry has devised standardized colors and patterns to indicate characteristics of medical tubing, like route of infusion and type of tube. Therefore, more updated methods of identifying tubing involves hand-labeling a tubing line with these standardized markings by adhering a label to the line after initial implementation or the tracing described above. In some instances, a single line of tubing can have multiple labels affixed to it. However, the human-executed practices described above are not only time-consuming, but also prone to mistakes in labeling or identification due to human error.
Additionally, even when the multitude of lines are labeled correctly, there remains a difficulty in reading and evaluating the labels when the room in which the patient resides is not lit. For example, when a medical professional enters a patient's darkened room, such as when the patient is sleeping at night, in order to check the connectivity or status of one or more of the lines, the professional will often have to turn the overhead room lights on, or have a supplementary light to position on the lines and labels, like a flashlight. The turning on of room lights or use of a flashlight around the patient may be disruptive to the patient's sleep. Additionally, the use of a flashlight can be cumbersome, especially when both of the professional's hands are needed for patient care. Further, some drugs are sensitive to the wavelength of certain light, thereby limiting the types of lights that may be used around medical lines.
In addition, existing medical tubing provides no indication of the operating status or, in cases of problems with the tubing or infusion, alerts for the attending medical professional. In order to check the operating status of the infusion device and attached tubing, the medical professional must first inspect the device, inspect the interface to the tubing, and subsequently trace along the tubing to evaluate a proper flow. Similarly, medical professionals are often not alerted when there is a problem with the tubing or infusion; the entire length of tubing must be visually inspected for blockages or occlusions. Thus, in addition to the problem of identifying existing medical tubing, a problem exists in identifying operating and problem statuses.
Therefore, there is a need for an automated, safe, and effective way of identifying medical tubing, as well as for identifying any operating statuses or problem statuses with the flow of the medical liquid within the tubing.
Embodiments relate to illuminated medical tubing, such that individual medical lines are identifiable based on an illumination or color scheme.
In an embodiment, a medical tubing set comprises a fluid conduit adapted to convey a medical fluid, an optical element coupled to the fluid conduit and configured to provide illumination, and a power source configured to power the optical element.
In an embodiment, a method of operating a medical tubing set comprises installing the medical tubing set in a medical device at a first end and in a patient at a second end, setting at least one operating parameter of the medical tubing set, sensing at least one characteristic of the medical tubing set, comparing the at least one sensed characteristic against the at least one operating parameter, and illuminating the medical tubing set based on at least the comparison of the at least one sensed characteristic and the at least one operating parameter.
In an embodiment of a method of operating a medical tubing set, the medical tubing set comprising a fluid conduit adapted to convey a medical fluid, an optical element coupled to the fluid conduit and configured to provide illumination, and a power source configured to power the optical element, the method comprises installing the medical tubing set in a medical device at a first end and in a patient at a second end; providing a source of power with the power source; applying the source of power to the optical element; and illuminating the fluid conduit with the optical element.
The invention thereby improves the way medical tubing is identified in a critical care environment. Because the tubing provides a visual indication, no hand-tracing of tubing from the infusion device, through the span of tubing, and into the patient is required. Additionally, labels adhered to the tubing are no longer needed to identify characteristics of the tube, like route of infusion and type of tube; these characteristics can be indicated by the illumination component. Likewise, because the tubing is illuminated, the tubing is identifiable even in a darkened room, and thus no supplementary light is needed to identify individual tubes or labels. Further, sensors integrated into the tubing, like pressure sensors, occlusion sensors, fluid flow sensors, temperature sensors, liquid density sensors, air bubble sensors, salinity sensors, pH sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, conductivity sensors, and electrolyte sensors, for example, provide data about the tubing and fluid that can be accumulated and subsequently reported as a visual indication by the illumination component. In this way, emergency situations can be instantaneously expressed by a visual indication. Manufacturing advantages also exist in embodiments. Existing medical tubing manufacturing can be modestly altered or supplemented in order to produce the tubing of the present invention. Similarly, in embodiments, existing medical devices and medical tubing can be retrofit such that the illuminated tubing of the present application is usable on devices and tubing not originally designed for it. In another advantage, various components of embodiments are highly reusable, thus lowering the cost to practitioners.
The most common source of occlusions is a clamp on the medical tubing that is previously applied to the tubing but subsequently forgotten by hospital staff. Consequently, in another advantage, when a clamp is placed on embodiments, the clamp also acts as a stimulus for the passing illumination by blocking, altering, restricting, or otherwise changing the optical path. As a result, in embodiments, the passing illumination is mostly terminated, and thereby highlighted, at the forgotten clamp. Embodiments can thus provide an obvious visual indication of forgotten clamps.
The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Embodiments relate to an illuminated medical tubing set that provides visual indications of characteristics relating to the type and operating status of the tubing. In embodiments, single and dual lumen tubing can be used. In one dual lumen embodiment, one lumen is used is used as the lighted channel, and the other lumen is used to transport the drug or fluid. In another embodiment, an inner lumen is nested within an outer lumen, whereby either the inner lumen is used as the lighted channel and the outer lumen is used as the fluid conduit, or the outer lumen is used as the lighted channel and the inner lumen is used as the fluid conduit. The inside surface of a single channel of tubing is optically coated with a side-emitting material in another embodiment. In such an embodiment, a single channel is utilized as the conduit for both the transportation of the fluid and the transportation of the light or color. In another embodiment, the outside surface of a single channel of tubing is optically coated with a side-emitting material. Both the outside and inside surfaces of a single channel of tubing are optically coated with a side-emitting material in another embodiment. In yet another embodiment, a segment of EL wire is coupled to medical tubing such that, when current is passed through the EL wire, the wire and consequently, the adjoining tubing, are illuminated. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are positioned at opposite ends of or along the tubing in order to illuminate the length of tubing in another embodiment. Various other combinations and configurations of these and other components can be implemented in other embodiments.
Referring generally to
In another embodiment (not depicted), illuminated tubing set 150 can comprise optical element 102, fluid conduit 104, power source 110, and one or more sensors, without microcontroller 108. Further, one or more sensors can comprise, for example, a pressure sensor, occlusion sensor, temperature sensor, flow sensor, liquid density sensor, air bubble sensor, salinity sensor, pH sensor, dissolved oxygen sensor, conductivity sensor, electrolyte sensor, or any combination thereof. In embodiments without microcontroller 108, an integrated circuit (IC) or other generic chip can optionally be included. The IC is configured to provide information to device interface 112 via an electronic signal. In an embodiment, the IC can provide identifying information such as part number, lot number, or expiration date, for example.
Referring again to
Optical element 102 can be configured to provide white light or colored light, or to provide no light, or to selectively alternate between one or more lighted and/or non-lighted settings. Further, optical element 102 can provide varying degrees of brightness. In certain situations, like when a patient's room is darkened—at night, for example—the brightness of optical element 102 can be reduced. The reduced intensity light of optical element 102 is still easily visible in the darkened ambient lighting, yet not bright enough to disturb the patient. Conversely, when the ambient lighting is brightened—during the day, for example—the brightness of optical element 102 can be increased to increase the ease of visibility of tubing set 100. Additionally, optical element 102 can be configured to provide flashing or patterned light. Examples of such flashing or patterned light are given below. Additional optical elements, like a chemiluminescent fluid, can also be included in other embodiments.
Fluid conduit 104 is used to transmit fluid in a critical care environment. For example, fluid conduit 104 can transmit medication from an infusion pump to a patient. Alternatively, fluid conduit 104 can provide the conveyance for removing fluid from a patient. Fluid conduit 104 generally comprises a cylinder with a diameter wide enough for fluid to flow appropriately for the medical application. Thus, fluid conduit 104 can have diameters of different sizes in various embodiments. For example, fluid conduit 104 having diameters of about 0.015 inches to about 3.0 inches are contemplated. Other diameters are also considered. Fluid conduit 104 is typically made of a flexible silicon plastic appropriate for a medical environment, such that it is odorless, tasteless, and inert. Further, fluid conduit 104 is nonreactive to body tissues and fluids and can withstand repeated sterilizations. Other appropriate materials are also considered, like polyvinyl chloride or any other appropriate thermoplastic polymer. Fluid conduit 104 can also be of varying lengths, depending on the medical application. In embodiments, fluid conduit 104 can provide the conveyance for both the medical fluid as well as the housing for optical element 102. Typically, fluid conduit 104 is clear or transparent so that the fluid flowing throughout fluid conduit 104 is visible through the walls of the cylinder. In other embodiments, however, fluid conduit 104 can be partially or fully translucent or opaque.
Power source 110 provides a source of the power for optical element 102. In embodiments, power source 110 can be integrated into the medical device to which tubing set 100 interfaces. In other embodiments, power source 110 can be integrated within the body of fluid conduit 104 or another portion of tubing set 100 itself. Power source 110 generates or conveys the power required of the particular embodiment of optical element 102. For example, power source 110 can be a battery. In another example, power source 110 is an electrical connection to the power source of the medical device.
In an embodiment, for example one in which optical element 102 comprises a light-generating element and a side-emitting optical coating from which light can reflect, power source 110 is a battery that powers the light-generating element. A beam of focused light is directed by the light-generating element appropriately along the sides of the conduit of the optical coating to illuminate tubing set 100. In another embodiment, power source 110 comprises a source of alternating current, where optical element 102 comprises, for example, a length of EL wire. The alternating current is applied to the EL wire to illuminate the wire, the conduit housing optical element 102 and thus, tubing set 100. In another embodiment, power source 110 includes a voltage source designed to power an LED, where optical element 102 comprises an LED. The above-described power sources are provided for example only and are not intended to be limiting for power source 110. Any appropriate power source can be used. For example, in embodiments, direct current, battery, linear regulated, switched mode power sources, or any other useful power source can be utilized.
In embodiments, and referring to
In embodiments, tubing set 150 can further comprise microcontroller 108. Microcontroller 108 is used to capture the pressure sensed by pressure sensor 106. Algorithms regarding pressure changes can be programmed into microcontroller 108. In an example, if the measured pressure is outside of a particular boundary or the measured delta is outside limits placed on a previously-measured acceptable value, an alert situation may be present. Further, microcontroller 108 provides an interface to control power source 110. In this way, various colored lights or flashing patterns can be implemented. In the alert situation described above, microcontroller can signal to power source 110 that a non-standard operating status should be indicated. Myriad algorithms can be implemented, given this framework, to alert and provide status of the operation of the tubing set. Examples are given herein below.
Device interface 112 can provide an interface for programming basic operation, alarm indicators (including appropriate limits), colors, and other operating parameters into microcontroller 108. In an embodiment, device interface 112 is implemented as part of a medical device, such as an infusion pump. In another embodiment, device interface 112 is implemented as a stand-alone component of tubing set 150.
Device interface 112 can be configured to provide standardized operating parameters to microcontroller 108. Standardized profiles or configurations having standardized operation, alarm indications, colors, and other operating parameters can be implemented for each medical device for a particular hospital site. Each type of medical device can have a specific profile with operating parameters unique to that device. Similarly, a specific profile can be developed for each set of tubing implemented having a specific sensor or set of sensors. Device interface 112 can be configured to install these profiles, and thereby adjust the operating settings, prior to the use of the medical device. For example, a particular hospital could standardize all occlusion pressure alarms to flash tubing set 150 with the color red. Such a configuration allows for uniformity across an entire hospital site, thus further easing burden on medical professionals and further providing value with tubing set 150 use. At that particular hospital site, all medical professionals would know that a flashing red tubing set indicates an occlusion problem.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Similarly, referring to
In operation, to illuminate fluid conduit 704 or 804, a beam of focused light is directed appropriately at one end of fluid conduit 704 or 804 by the light-generating element of optical element 702 or 802, respectively, so that the light reflects along the coated sides of fluid conduit 704 or 804, respectively.
Referring to
In operation, to illuminate fluid conduit 854, a beam of focused light is directed appropriately within the wall of fluid conduit 854 by the light-generating element of optical element 702 or 802, respectively, so that the light reflects within the coated sides of fluid conduit 854. The combination of the light-generating element and the two optical coatings, when light is directed by the light-generating element within the wall of fluid conduit 854 provides an illuminated fluid conduit 854.
Referring to
In operation generally, referring to
At 1004, operating parameters are set. The color of tube, illumination intensity, and alarm limits for the various coupled sensors, and other operating parameters are programmed into microcontroller 108 via device interface 112. In some embodiments, the operating parameters are set automatically upon installation of the tubing set. For example, because of the standardization of colors and patterns in the medical industry, any tubing set connected to a specific device requiring a standard color or pattern can automatically be programmed by the device via device interface 112 to set microcontroller 108 with the standardized illumination, standard limits, and standard intensity for the application, without any additional human intervention. If the medical professional desires a different color scheme limits, or intensity, device interface 112, which can reside on a medical device, or as a separate interface, can be utilized to program microcontroller 108.
At 1006, an initial set of tubing characteristics are sensed. If pressure sensor 106 is present in the tubing set embodiment, as depicted in
In either the case of normal operation 1010 or alert operation 1012, power source 110 interfaces with optical element 102 to illuminate optical element 102 and the tubing set. When the tubing set is in normal operation, the recursive loop from normal operation at 1010 back to sense tubing characteristics at 1006 can be conducted in real time, or upon expiration of a standard or programmed wait period. Further, in operation, any of the operating parameters can be adjusted while the tubing set is in use.
Various embodiments of systems, devices and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the invention.
Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the invention may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the invention may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the invention may comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.
Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.
For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.
