Automatic IV Pole with IV Bag Refill Notification
Image: Peramivir.jpg by Hanabishi via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
IV poles need to be set at the correct height for proper gravity-based fluid flow to the patient, and nursing staff currently check bag levels manually on a walk-by basis — easy to miss when a bag is quietly running low between rounds.
This project automates both sides of that problem: a motorized pole section lets staff adjust height precisely at the press of a button instead of manually sliding and clamping a pole, and a level sensor on the IV bag triggers a local buzzer/LED alert — with an optional remote notification — the moment fluid runs low, so a refill happens before the line runs dry rather than being caught late on a routine check.
How It Works
- A linear actuator or motorized telescoping pole section adjusts height via simple up/down controls, letting staff set the correct gravity-flow height for each patient/bed quickly.
- An IR level sensor (or a load cell measuring bag weight) continuously monitors the IV bag's fluid level.
- When the level crosses a preset low threshold, the controller triggers a local buzzer and LED alert at the bedside.
- An optional GSM/Wi-Fi module can push the same low-level alert to a nurse call system or station display for earlier response than a walk-by check.
Components
Arduino/microcontroller
Linear actuator or motorized telescoping mechanism
IR level sensor or load cell (bag weight sensing)
Buzzer + LED indicator
Optional GSM/Wi-Fi module (remote nurse alert)
Control buttons + pole frame
Applications
- Hospital wards and ICUs
- Home healthcare setups
- Clinics running multiple concurrent IV lines
Advantages
- Ensures correct gravity-flow height without manual pole sliding/clamping
- Earlier, more reliable low-bag detection than periodic manual checks
- Reduces nursing staff reaction time and workload on routine monitoring
Sample Code — Level Threshold Alert
// Simplified IV bag level monitoring - Arduino
int levelSensorPin = A0;
int buzzerPin = 8;
int ledPin = 9;
int lowThreshold = 200; // calibrate to sensor's empty-bag reading
void setup() {
pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
int level = analogRead(levelSensorPin);
if (level < lowThreshold) {
digitalWrite(buzzerPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
Serial.println("IV bag low - refill needed");
// optional: sendGSMAlert("IV bag low - Bed 4");
} else {
digitalWrite(buzzerPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
}
delay(1000);
}
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