Research by the University Medical Center Utrecht has shown that during administration of medication intravenously large inaccuracies can occur when it concerns low dosing of medication. Particularly in the case of mixtures, the ratio of the amounts administered can deviate significantly from the set value. As can be appreciated, this can have serious consequences for the safety and health of patients. The fact that the phenomenon is stronger with small quantities means that especially with (neonatal) children the problems are more severe.
A study commissioned by the NPI research group and perfomred by graduates of the Health and Technology department of Saxion (HBO-V) shows that the problem is widely recognized among nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Currently, there are no technical solutions available and the nurses use self-found workarounds.
Bronkhorst High-Tech BV is specialized in measuring and controlling microflows of gases and liquids. In collaboration with the MESA + institute of the University of Twente, they developed an integrated multiflow parameter system (IMPS) with which several material properties can be determined based on various measuring principles of liquids and gases. In principle, it is therefore possible to identify the liquid on the basis of these measurements. Within an previous TFF project (CHARMM), possibilities arebeing examined for accurately determining the mixing ratio in the infusion line with this system.
Innofuse is a start-up in Utrecht that focuses on improving the infusion lines, in particular the mixing blocks in those lines. They areinterested in all possible improvements in infusion technology.
Based on the measurements and knowledge of the complete infusion system, it is expected that active adjustment of the infusion pumps can lead to major improvements in drug delivery. Bronkhorst, together with Saxion, has studied in this (follow-up) project whether measurements with this system are suitable for determining the ratio of substances in a mixture and subsequently whether this can improve the administration of medicines compared to the current situation.
The project goal was to improve the current infusion systems by placing the IMPS in the line and making the pumps and other parts in the line “smart”, so that they can be fed back on the basis of the measurements with the IMPS.