Acoustic Volume Sensing Device for Parenteral Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parenteral drug delivery devices are cumbersome, prone to malfunction, and lack the ability to accurately measure the volume of fluid delivered, making it difficult to maintain consistent therapeutic schedules and detect air bubbles.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic volume sensing device with a housing containing a reference volume chamber and a variable volume chamber connected by a resonant port, equipped with MEMS microphones and speakers, and a hydrophobic, acoustically transparent mesh in the port, which allows for precise measurement of fluid volume by changing pressures and detecting air bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional parenteral delivery devices are used, then drug delivery function is achieved, but device size and weight are large and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a reservoir component for fluid storage, a pump component for fluid delivery, and a measurement component for volume detection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall device size while maintaining reliability through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical measurement methods are replaced with acoustic field-based measurement. A transducer generates acoustic waves that interact with the fluid in the measurement chamber, and the acoustic response is used to determine fluid volume. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical measurement mechanisms, reducing device size and improving reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional parenteral delivery devices are used, then drug delivery function is achieved, but cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical measurement systems are replaced with acoustic field-based measurement using transducers and signal processing circuits. This approach uses readily available components and simplified measurement principles, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy through acoustic resonance and impedance detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system changes physical parameters of the acoustic field (frequency, amplitude, impedance) to determine fluid volume. By measuring changes in acoustic parameters rather than relying on complex mechanical gauges or sensors, the device achieves accurate measurement at lower cost.
3Measurement precision
If traditional parenteral delivery devices are used, then fluid delivery is achieved, but volume of fluid delivered cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
Volume measurement is achieved through acoustic field interaction rather than mechanical measurement. A transducer generates acoustic waves that travel through the fluid, and the acoustic impedance and resonance characteristics provide information about fluid volume. This eliminates complex mechanical measurement mechanisms while achieving precise volume determination.
Solution Approach 2:
Acoustic waves serve as an intermediary between the measurement system and the fluid. The transducer converts electrical signals to acoustic waves, which then interact with the fluid to provide volume information through acoustic impedance and resonance. This intermediary approach simplifies the measurement system while maintaining precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enables accurate and reliable measurement of fluid volume, reducing device size, weight, and cost, while detecting air bubbles without affecting measurement accuracy, thus improving the reliability of parenteral drug delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
a reference volume chamber and a variable volume chamber connected by a resonant port
Implementation Method 2
the resonant port, a first MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the variable volume chamber
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophobic, substantially acoustically transparent mesh device located in the resonant port
Implementation Method 4
a first MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the variable volume chamber, a second MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber
Implementation Method 5
pumping fluid into the measurement chamber until the measurement chamber reaches a second predetermined pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic volume sensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing comprising a reference volume chamber and a variable volume chamber, the reference volume chamber and the variable volume chamber connected by a resonant port, a first MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the variable volume chamber, a second MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, a MEMS speaker located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, and a circuit board in electric connection with the first and second MEMS microphones and the MEMS speaker.