Bolus Refill Indicator Color Gradient Window
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient-controlled drug administration devices lack an effective indicator to inform patients when a new bolus of medication is ready for administration, leading to potential partial bolus delivery due to premature button presses.
Innovation Solution
A bolus refill indicator system featuring color-coded sections and gradient transitions visible through a window, providing clear visual cues on the availability of a new bolus, with red indicating not ready, green indicating ready, and a transition from red to green signaling refilling progress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple window indicator is used to show bolus availability, then device complexity is reduced, but the clarity and reliability of the indicator is insufficient leading to patient confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is divided into multiple colored segments (red, yellow, green) that represent different bolus readiness states. Each segment corresponds to a specific refilling stage, allowing patients to clearly understand whether a full bolus is available without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different colors are used to indicate different bolus availability states: red indicates not ready, yellow indicates partially refilled, and green indicates fully refilled and ready for administration. This color-coding system provides intuitive visual information that is easily distinguishable.
2Device complexity
If no visual indicator is provided, then device complexity is minimized, but patients may press the button before the pump is refilled resulting in partial bolus delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator provides real-time visual feedback to patients about the refilling status of the pump. The color-coded segments update as the pump refills, giving patients immediate information about whether waiting for a full bolus is necessary, thereby preventing premature button presses and ensuring reliable full bolus delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition from red to yellow to green colors provides clear visual feedback about the refilling progress. This color change system ensures patients can reliably determine when the pump is fully refilled and ready to deliver a complete bolus, preventing partial deliveries.
3Loss of information
If a detailed refilling progress indicator is provided, then information clarity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator uses a small number of discrete colored segments rather than a continuous or highly detailed display. This segmentation approach provides sufficient refilling status information while keeping the manufacturing process simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of standard color-coding (red, yellow, green) with common materials makes the indicator easy to manufacture. The color changes provide detailed refilling status information without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A drug administration device including a push button, plunger, housing extending in an axial direction to define top and bottom ends, and bolus refill indicator is provided. The indicator is disposed on the plunger and visible through a window in the housing. The indicator can include a first section having a first color located towards the top end of the housing, a second section having a second color located towards the bottom end of the housing, and a third section disposed therebetween including a gradient between the first and second colors. Alternatively, the indicator can include a line extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The housing includes a first indicator reference point that is a first color and aligned with a bottom of the indicator window and a second indicator reference point that is a second color and aligned with a top of the indicator window.