Cutting-Edge Robotic Intravenous Pole: Preliminary Design and Survey in Academic Medical Center in Lebanon

Abstract

Intravenous poles are biomedical healthcare supportive tools that aide in holding and delivering medications to patients through intravenous injections. Intravenous infusion relies on the weight of the Intravenous tubing fluid. Continuous follow-up of the intravenous bag is required to replace the fluid when emptied. Also, mobilization of the intravenous pole is required from patients and nurses. This leads to discomfort and inconvenience for both patients and hospital staff. Despite the existing intravenous poles have solved their difficulty, however, they were either not feasible, or couldn't hold a lot of weight in the bag. Moreover, they lack any alarm system which indicates an empty bag. To improve current intravenous poles, we aim to develop a cutting-edge robotic intravenous pole mounted with an alarm system. The robotic intravenous pole comprises motors to hold large weights, sensors and wireless joystick technology. Experimental results dedicated to the design showed that the novel designed pole mobilization is improved by the use of stepper motors, omni wheels, micro-controller, and a joystick. Also, the alarm system has added alert to patients and nurses when the intravenous bags were emptied. Moreover, the robotic intravenous pole moved in all directions and rotated, with a press of a button. This design surpasses the movements and weight tolerance provided by alternative designs, and it is mechanically and electrically safe on the patients. Survey results highlighted the acceptance and motivation of having and using and Robotic IV pole as compared to alternatives.

Prototype Advancement of the Robotic IV Pole: Preliminary Simulation

“…By taking into consideration the cost of commercial IV poles and their lack of technological features, they are expensive [1]. With the introduction of research IV poles, such as the autonomous IV pole [5], and the robotic IV pole [6][10], some improvements to the commercial designs have occured especially in the IV poles' movement field. In the autonomous IV pole, the automated motion was related to the attachment of a nylon twine between the patient and the robotic system.…”

“…By comparing their presented features and their cost, the autonomous IV pole costs around 2000$ [5] and the Robotic IV pole costs around 300$ [6]. A survey done in a medical center in lebanon on different aspects, including the health and financial advantages of robotic IV pole, showed an agreement on the robotic systems by the majority of patients (85%) , nurses (90%) and human resources (80%) [6]. According to what preceded, the aim of our project is to design a new prototype for our biomedical robotic IV pole.…”