SmartFlow

What it does

SmartFlow is a medical device for patients after abdominal surgery. It continuously monitors fluid levels in JP drains using non-contact sensing. It then uploads data to the cloud with instant alerts, solving manual check delays caused by staff shortages.

Your inspiration

The idea for SmartFlow came from observing the real challenges faced by healthcare workers, especially the high turnover and chronic shortage of nursing staff, leading to increased workloads and risks of delayed patient care. Traditionally, nurses manually inspect JP drains at intervals—a process prone to human error and delays, especially during night shifts. This can result in late detection of abnormal fluid output, raising the risk of complications. Inspired by the need to bridge this gap, we leveraged advances in sensor technology and IoT to automate monitoring and ensure timely alerts, shaped by collaboration with clinical teams.

How it works

SmartFlow works by attaching a lightweight sensor module to the outside of a standard surgical Jackson-Pratt drainage bottle. It uses a pair of flexible, asymmetrical triangular-shaped electrodes to detect changes in the fluid level inside the bottle without touching the fluid. As the fluid rises or falls, the sensor detects these changes and converts them into digital signals. These signals are processed by a built-in controller, which wirelessly sends the data to a secure cloud platform using a low-power cellular network. The cloud system analyzes the data for abnormal patterns, such as sudden changes in fluid flow, and sends instant alerts to nursing staff through a dashboard or mobile device. The system is easy to install, requires no modification to bottles, and is resistant to interference from tilting or squeezing. It is compatible with widely used drainage systems and allows for remote monitoring, historical data analysis, and trend visualization.

Design process

Step 1: Identifying the Problem Conducted interviews and hospital observations to understand manual monitoring challenges. Defined key requirements: real-time monitoring, non-invasiveness, easy installation, and cost-effectiveness. Step 2: Concept Development Explored sensing technologies and chose capacitive sensing for non-contact fluid measurement. Initial prototype used a single-sided sensor but was sensitive to tilting and deformation. Step 3: Prototyping and Iteration Developed a dual-sided, symmetric triangular electrode design for better accuracy and disturbance resistance. Added an accelerometer to detect tilt and correct measurement errors. Created a custom PCB integrating the controller, sensor interface, and wireless module. Step 4: Testing and Refinement Built prototypes with 3D-printed housings for various bottle shapes and shielding from interference. Calibrated the system in lab and clinical simulations to correct errors from squeezing or deformation. Gathered feedback from nurses and doctors during pilot trials. Step 5: Clinical Validation and Expansion Conducted real-world clinical trials with a major hospital, validating timely detection and alerts. Step 6: Regulatory and Market Strategy Prepared for certification and designed business models.

How it is different

SmartFlow stands out with its non-contact capacitive sensing using symmetrical triangular flexible electrodes, avoiding fluid contact and infection risk unlike competitors. It requires no consumables, reducing long-term costs. The device easily attaches to standard JP drainage bottles without modification, enabling quick clinical deployment. It features automated cloud monitoring with wireless data upload and instant alerts, shortening response times. Its dual-electrode design compensates for bottle tilt and deformation, ensuring measurement accuracy. Lightweight and reusable, it suits various bottle sizes. Clinically validated with major hospitals, it focuses on abdominal surgery drainage, unlike chest drainage products that need special consumables and complex installation, offering superior cost-effectiveness and ease of use.

Future plans

Next steps include obtaining FDA 510(k) and Taiwan TFDA Class II medical device certifications for market entry. Planned upgrades involve AI-based flow prediction for personalized alerts and enhanced clinical decision support. Hardware and software will be optimized for durability, mass production, and expanded cloud features for remote care and multi-device management. Market expansion will begin with high-frequency abdominal surgeries, then broaden to other surgical and home care applications. International partnerships and diverse business models are planned, with continuous clinical feedback guiding improvements.

Awards