Originally Published EMDM March/April 2005
Engineering Insight
Smart Connector Helps Put Squeeze on Deep Vein Thrombosis
System automatically adapts air pressure to required therapy cycle
Norbert
Sparrow
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| Smart couplings with wireless identification technology are at the core of the Smartsense garment recognition system from Huntleigh Healthcare Ltd. The connectors enable pumps to automatically identify the attached garments and to adjust the therapy cycle. |
Recently developed connection technology reportedly increases the effectiveness of an intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device. The smart connector enables the IPC to automatically recognize the level of pressure required for effective treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
DVT is caused by the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, often in the calf or thigh. It can occur after major surgery, because the body responds to trauma and blood loss with increased coagulation. DVT is a major concern of healthcare providers during post-operative recovery.
IPC devices that automatically squeeze the feet and lower legs are used by hospitals to prevent the onset of DVT. An IPC device consists of an inflatable garment for the calf, thigh, or foot, and an electrical pneumatic pump that fills the garment with compressed air. Varying air pressures are required based on where the garment is positioned on the body.
“Hospitals [typically] purchase different systems for different needs,” says David Hampson, technical manager with Huntleigh Healthcare Ltd. (Luton, Beds, UK). “The calf and thigh [require] low pressure over a long time period,” he explains. “Foot compression demands high pressure in short intervals. Our vision was to offer one easy-to-use system that could handle all of these therapies.”
Making the Connection
To assist in the development of an IPC device that can respond to differing pressure needs, Huntleigh turned to Colder Products Co. GmbH (CPC; Mainz-Kastel, Germany), a supplier of interconnect products headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA.
Huntleigh set its sights on a push-button, quick-disconnect coupling that could be manipulated with one hand. It needed to communicate the type of garment (and thus the pressure needed) to the pump’s computer-assisted pressure control unit. “We challenged the engineers at CPC with our idea of an ‘intelligent’ connection that would enable the pump to recognize what garment is attached and what therapy cycle should be used,” Hampson recalls. The engineers stepped up to the challenge.
CPC used modeling and prototyping methods to design a coupling with wireless identification technology. A coupling insert on the tube that extends from the garment carries a tag that senses the kind of garment to which it is attached. At the time of connection, the coupling sends these data to a reader on the pump hose. The pump recognizes both the kind of garment to which it is attached and whether there are one or more garments, and automatically alters the therapy accordingly. An audible click confirms that the connection is secure and tight.
In addition to being compatible with the new garments offered by Huntleigh, the connector is backward compatible with older models.
With the help of the CPC connector, says Hampson, “our Smartsense garment recognition system allows the pump to automatically identify the type of garments attached and adjust the therapy cycle accordingly.” In addition, it allows clinicians to use a single pump to treat various manifestations of DVT.
Huntleigh designs and manufactures a range of noninvasive healthcare devices and instrumentation for medical applications. Smartsense is a recent addition to its series of IPC devices, which treat a variety of medical conditions. A team of nurses, product specialists, and technical service representatives provide advice, clinical education, training support, and technical service programmes. CPC designs and manufactures quick-disconnect connections for plastic tubing in custom and standard forms to the medical device industry.
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