Bolus Administration Unit Priming Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drug solution administration devices require cumbersome priming procedures and increased costs due to the need for separate priming of the bolus administration unit and drug solution administration line, as well as the use of connectors and syringes, which complicates the operation and increases the device's cost.

Innovation Solution

A drug solution administration device with a bolus administration unit that includes an inflow and outflow passage, a reservoir, and a control portion allowing for priming, reservation, and bolus administration modes, eliminating the need for external priming ports and reducing the number of components, thereby simplifying the priming process and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a typical sub reservoir technique is used with separate priming ports, then the bolus administration unit can be primed, but the priming process becomes cumbersome and requires extra work with connectors and syringes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepriming processVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the priming function with the existing inflow passage by making it operable in both priming and bolus administration modes. The first closer can close either the first flow passage or the second flow passage, integrating two functions into one component and eliminating the need for separate priming ports and connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inflow passage is designed to serve dual purposes: priming the reservoir and administering bolus doses. By controlling which flow passage the first closer closes, the same passage performs different functions, reducing the number of dedicated components needed for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a port with check valve is provided for priming, then the priming process is simplified, but the device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepriming processVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing pump and flow passages to perform priming without requiring external syringes or separate priming ports. The pump can fill the reservoir through the controlled flow passages, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional costly components like check valves and external connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If the bolus administration unit is separately primed with syringe, then the reservoir can be filled, but the operation becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug solution in reservoirVSAvoidpriming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is designed to automatically fill the reservoir during the priming phase before bolus administration begins. This preliminary action of filling the reservoir through the pump and controlled flow passages eliminates the need for manual syringe priming, reducing the time and complexity of the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3669909B1Medical liquid administration device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 NIPRO CORP
  • EP3669909B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3669909B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3669909B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drug solution administration device includes a bolus administration unit providing a drug solution. The bolus administration unit 110 includes: an inflow passage 111; an outflow passage 112; a reservoir 113 connected between the inflow passage 111 and the outflow passage 112, and reserving the drug solution; and a control portion 114 controlling the reserve of the drug solution in the reservoir 113 and dispensing of the drug solution from the reservoir 113. The inflow passage 111 includes: a first flow passage 111A; and a second flow passage 111B smaller in flow passage cross-sectional area than the first flow passage 111A, and the control portion 114 includes: a first closer 141 closing the first flow passage 111A; and a second closer 142 operable to open and close the outflow passage 112.