Multi-infusion setups in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) a mass transport evaluation and graphical user interface development
摘要
Critically ill neonates in Intensive Care Units require complex pharmacological and nutritional therapies often administered through small-calibre, single-lumen vascular accesses. This practice, known as multi-infusion, involves the simultaneous administration of multiple solutions, presenting significant challenges in terms of fluid dynamic management and clinical safety. This study analyses the performance of common infusion line configurations, focusing on transit times and the concentration profiles of solutions delivered to the patient. A software tool was implemented to simulate and predict solute transport under various infusion settings, providing an instrument for assessing real-life clinical scenarios. Furthermore, a practical graphical user interface was developed to translate these complex numerical methods into an accessible educational tool. As a preliminary study, it allows clinicians to input patient-specific details and infusion parameters, and the application calculates and visualizes the underlying fluid dynamics in real-time. This approach enables the pre-emptive simulation of various infusion settings, making it possible to predict concentration profiles and transit times. The interface improves clinical awareness by enabling healthcare providers to simulate and compare real-world scenarios. This deeper understanding of the system’s physical behaviour helps optimize the management of complex multi-infusion setups, supporting more accurate planning in neonatal care.