FLUDIX-PET AUTOMATED INFUSION PUMP

Precision infusion, powered by AI. FLUDIX transforms emergency and maternal care with vital-sign-driven, autonomous fluid delivery.

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Inspiration

The idea for FLUDIX was born out of a deeply personal and heartbreaking experience. I was at the hospital that day for an entirely different reason, but everything changed when I witnessed the tragic loss of a 7-month-old child who had been receiving treatment since his premature birth. The child suffered cardiac overload due to fluid over-infusion, a result of poor and inadequate IV fluid monitoring. I still vividly remember the silence that took over the ward, broken only by the piercing cries of the child's mother. Her voice echoed painfully through the hospital, even from the second floor. The once-busy ward was overwhelmed with sadness, and the medical team stood helpless, questioning what went wrong. That moment has stayed with me ever since. Seeing the despair and helplessness in the eyes of the nurses and doctors in that rural clinic despite their dedication was the turning point for me. I realized the urgent need for a smarter, safer way to administer IV fluids, especially in under-resourced settings. That experience inspired the creation of FLUDIX: an AI-powered infusion system integrated with a wearable Vital Band that continuously monitors key patient vitals (heart rate, SpO₂, temperature, and blood pressure) and automatically adjusts fluid delivery in real-time. It was more than just a project, it was a mission born from pain, hope, and the drive to ensure no life is lost again due to preventable medical errors.

What it does

FLUDIX is an intelligent, automated infusion management system designed to enhance the safety, precision, and responsiveness of IV fluid therapy especially in emergencies and critical care settings. It continuously tracks vital patient parameters including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), temperature, and movement using its integrated wearable device known as the Vital Band.

Based on this real-time data, FLUDIX automatically adjusts the rate and volume of intravenous fluid delivery using a dual mechanism (custom-built peristaltic and syringe injection pumps). This helps prevent common IV-related complications like over-infusion, under-infusion, and treatment delays.

The system is equipped with wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), allowing healthcare professionals to monitor and manage treatment remotely through a dedicated mobile/web app. It also operates effectively offline, ensuring functionality even in settings without internet connectivity.

FLUDIX is powered by a rechargeable battery and supports dual charging methods via AC power and solar energy, making it highly reliable in both modern hospitals and resource-limited rural clinics. With built-in smart alerts and a human-centered design, FLUDIX enables medical teams to deliver faster, smarter, and safer care anytime, anywhere.

How we built it

Building FLUDIX was a transformative journey that combined engineering precision with purpose-driven innovation. We began with rough hand sketches that were translated into detailed CAD models to visualize the structure. The part of the frame was 3D printed and reinforced with materials suited for medical environments. It was carefully designed to house all electronic and mechanical components securely.

For fluid control, we engineered a custom hybrid pump system combining a peristaltic mechanism and a 50ml syringe injection system. This was powered by a NEMA17 stepper motor with a ball screw linear actuator to ensure accurate linear displacement. We built and soldered our own circuitry from scratch, integrating raspberry pi, ESP32 and an Arduino Uno microcontroller to manage real-time operations, sensor data, and wireless communication.

The firmware was written in python, C++ using the Arduino IDE. We incorporated both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and developed a mobile and web application using Flutter for remote monitoring and control. Testing was done across multiple labs from woodworking to electronics ensuring every aspect of FLUDIX functioned reliably in a clinical simulation.

Challenges we ran into

Despite our clear vision, the path was filled with trials that tested both our technical ability and emotional resilience. We faced repeated hardware failures components burnt out, sensors gave inconsistent readings, and power issues led to system instability. Each failure meant going back to the drawing board, tweaking the circuit, rewriting portions of code, or sourcing alternative components under tight constraints.

Beyond technical hurdles, we also faced emotional strain. The personal story that inspired this project remained heavy in our hearts, fueling long nights in the lab. There were times we doubted if it would work but we pressed on.

We also encountered integration issues where various subsystems (hardware, software, mechanical parts) didn't initially communicate as expected. Through iterative testing, patient troubleshooting, and support from domain experts, we refined FLUDIX into the reliable, life-saving tool we envisioned.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud that we were able to bring this idea to life transforming a powerful vision into a working smart infusion system capable of saving lives. Building FLUDIX from scratch with its dual-pump design, real-time patient monitoring band, solar-charging capability, and wireless data access was a significant engineering and human-centered milestone for our team. Watching it perform effectively during testing, especially in low-resource simulations, validated both our technical execution and the impact it could make.

Beyond the build, we’re incredibly proud to have been recognized by leading national bodies. We were selected as one of the top 7 finalists in a prestigious national innovation competition hosted by the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, competing alongside senior doctors, professors, and PhD holders, as the only undergraduate team in the top tier. We also won 1st place in the RAIN Hackathon 1.0, a competition organized by Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), where FLUDIX was awarded for its technical innovation and potential for impact. These accomplishments have reinforced our belief in the solution and continue to push us toward real-world deployment.

What we learned

What we’ve learned goes beyond technical skills it’s about purpose. Working on FLUDIX has shown us how deeply technology and humanity are connected. We started out trying to build a smart infusion system, but along the way, we realized we were also building trust, safety, and hope for patients and caregivers.

We learned that no detail is too small when lives are involved. From sketching early designs on paper to watching our first prototype come to life, we discovered how important it is to listen, adapt, and stay committed even when things didn’t work the first (or fifth) time.

We learned to think beyond our tools to understand the people, the problems, and the real impact. We gained hands-on experience in electronics, coding, and system design, but more importantly, we learned how to work as a team, stay resilient through challenges, and keep our eyes on the reason we started: to help prevent another avoidable loss.

This project taught us not just how to build something that works but how to build something that matters.

What's next for FLUDIX-PET AUTOMATED INFUSION PUMP

We’re taking FLUDIX-PET beyond the prototype stage and into real-world deployment. Our next step is clinical piloting in selected hospitals and maternal care centers to validate performance and usability in diverse environments. We’re also working on regulatory compliance and safety certifications to prepare the device for mass production.

To make the solution more accessible, we aim to scale manufacturing using cost-effective, locally sourced components, while improving features like battery efficiency, solar optimization, and multilingual interface support. Additionally, we plan to enhance the Vital Band’s AI capabilities to track more critical vitals with improved precision.

On the business side, we are developing a distribution and training model for rural and underserved healthcare facilities and forming strategic partnerships to support adoption across Africa. Our vision is to become a leading force in smart infusion therapy reducing preventable deaths, especially where medical expertise or resources are limited.

Built With

  • 11.1v-lipo-battery-12v
  • 30w-solar-panel-mppt-charge-controller-12v
  • 3a-adapter-mobile/web-app-built-with-flutter-(android
  • amazon-web-services
  • apis
  • arduino
  • atmega328p)
  • c++
  • custom
  • esp32
  • flash/eeprom)
  • flutter
  • integration
  • iot
  • local
  • processing)
  • python
  • rest
  • uno
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