New Technology Developed to Enhance Safety in Medication Administration
A groundbreaking technology has been developed to address the issue of excessive administration of analgesic drugs, which often leads to medical accidents. This innovative drug infusion pump is equipped with customized sensor modules that can accurately measure the low flow rate of these drugs and detect bubbles within the pumps. Developed by a research team at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, this technology is the first of its kind in the world. The team has successfully created a safe drug infusion pump system that is currently being prepared for mass production by Unimedics, a leading manufacturer of medication injectors.
Accurate Measurement of Low Flow Rates Achieved through New Sensor Technology
Narcotic analgesics are typically administered at an extremely low flow rate of 1 to 2 mL/h for post-operative pain management. To effectively measure such low flow rates, the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials developed a new thermal micro-flow sensor. This sensor utilizes a micro-heater and multiple temperature sensors to accurately measure the flow rates. By combining the cooling effect of the microheater with the heating effect on the fluid, the research team achieved precise measurement of the extremely low flow rates. This breakthrough technology ensures that analgesic drugs are administered at the correct dosage, reducing the risk of medical accidents.
Integration of Bubble Sensors in Drug Infusion Pumps
In line with revised regulations from the FDA, which now require bubble sensors to be included in drug infusion pumps, the newly developed infusion pumps are equipped with temperature sensors that can detect the presence of bubbles. The sensors, placed at both ends of the assembled tube, utilize the difference in heat diffusion between air and liquid to accurately detect bubbles. Moreover, the sensors are attached to the outer surface of the drug injection tube, allowing for non-intrusive measurements of flow rates and bubble detection. This innovative approach not only ensures patient safety but also addresses the concerns related to the limited availability of medical disposables.
Comparable Performance to Expensive MEMS Sensors, with Added Benefits
The sensor developed by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials achieves performance comparable to that of expensive MEMS sensors in terms of measurement sensitivity, accuracy, range, and bubble detection. This customized sensor module can replace the ultrasonic bubble sensor within drug infusion pumps, making it cost-effective and easily replaceable during mass production. Furthermore, the previously used indirect flow rate measurement method involving motor rotation can now be replaced with this real-time flow rate measurement technology. This advancement significantly reduces the occurrence of medical accidents resulting from overdosages of analgesics, enhancing patient safety during surgeries and cancer treatments.
Advantages and Implications of the New Technology
The development of this technology is set to revolutionize medication administration, providing accurate and prompt medical services. By transmitting real-time data on medication speed and dosage, healthcare professionals will be able to make informed decisions and manage drug injections more efficiently. This technology not only enhances patient safety but also reduces the workload of medical staff. Furthermore, the prevention of medical accidents resulting from the malfunctioning of drug infusion pumps or deviations of medical consumables will have a significant impact on ensuring the safety of medical treatments and protecting the public.
Future Outlook and Commitment to Medical Safety
Senior Researcher Dong-kyu Lee of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials expressed his commitment to preventing medical accidents and ensuring the safety of medical treatments. The innovative sensor technology developed by their research team offers a solution that simultaneously measures low flow rates and detects bubbles without coming into contact with the drug outside the tube. This eliminates the need for expensive MEMS sensor technology and provides a customized solution for medication injections. With a focus on preventing overdosages of analgesics and safeguarding the lives of patients, ongoing research and development efforts will further contribute to medical safety.
Analyst comment
Positive news. The market for drug infusion pumps and medication administration is expected to see significant growth with the development of this new technology. The accuracy and safety enhancements provided by the sensor modules and bubble detection capabilities will be in high demand by healthcare professionals, leading to increased adoption and mass production. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize medication administration and improve patient safety in surgeries and cancer treatments.