Highly accurate intravenous (IV) flow rate control dedicated to mobile IV systems

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Despite great advances made in commercially available Infusion pumps for intravenously administered solutions, currently, more than 94% of hospitalized patients still receive medicated IVs using simple gravity-driven systems. The fact is, such low-cost gravity-based IV systems suffer from flow rate variations due to changes in the volume/weight of the liquid column in the IV container or changes in the elevation of the latter relative to the delivery access-point in the patient's body. The safe delivery of "high-risk" therapeutic agents through cost-effective and easy-to-use devices that are also compatible with all types of standard IV bags is even more challenging when considering the administration of life support to individuals rescued from harsh conditions. In such situations IV systems should adapt to even more abrupt changes in operating conditions like those met when extracting injured or comatosed during rescue missions using aircrafts. Also, robustness of IV administration systems vis-à-vis small and large pressure changes is a key feature that a system should have in order to reach the market with high level of competitiveness. In this perspective, and conjointly with our industrial partner, TrendyMED Inc. we aim to study the development of a novel cuff-based flow control system that seamlessly incorporates a self-pressurized IV system along with optoelectronic sensors and electrostatic actuators. A high precision flow control system will create great market opportunities for TrendyMed Inc. by offering a new Mobil IV system and will groom it to become one of the world leaders in the