Catheter Micropump Time Division Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion systems face issues with unintentional mixing of medical fluids due to multiple supply lines and size constraints, which can lead to inaccurate dosing and reflux during complex infusion therapies.
Innovation Solution
The infusion system incorporates micropumps mounted at the proximal end of a catheter tube, allowing for time division multiplexing of medical fluids with a control device, using separator fluids to prevent mixing, and optimizing the system for quasi-continuous infusion with precise dosing and reduced dead volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple supply lines are used to deliver different medical fluids, then the ability to provide complex infusion therapies is improved, but unintentional mixing of medical fluids occurs leading to dosing inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid delivery function by providing each medical fluid with its own dedicated micropump and supply line, preventing mixing through spatial separation. Each pump independently controls its respective fluid, eliminating cross-contamination while maintaining the ability to deliver multiple therapies simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple valve acts as an intermediary switching mechanism that routes different medical fluids from separate supply lines to the catheter. It prevents direct mixing by controlling fluid paths through valve actuation, allowing selective connection of individual fluid lines to the infusion pathway.
2Ease of operation
If infusion units are arranged on a frame next to the patient, then accessibility is improved, but the system size increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple infusion units into a single integrated catheter assembly with micropumps mounted at the proximal end. This consolidation reduces the overall system footprint while maintaining the functionality to deliver multiple medical fluids, eliminating the need for separate large-scale infusion units positioned around the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a distributed spatial arrangement of infusion units around the patient to a compact integrated design where multiple fluid delivery functions are stacked or arranged in a compact configuration at the proximal end of the catheter, reducing the system's spatial footprint.
3Quantity of substance
If micropumps are mounted at the proximal tube end with direct outlet into the lumen, then dead volume is minimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The micropumps are pre-mounted at the proximal tube end during catheter assembly, with their outlets directly aligned to debouch into the lumen. This preliminary positioning ensures minimal dead volume is built into the design from the start, rather than requiring post-assembly adjustments or complex routing to achieve compact fluid paths.
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
This configuration ensures accurate, simultaneous administration of incompatible medical fluids with minimized risk of mixing and reflux, providing highly precise medicament delivery and preventing unintentional bolus or reflux, especially in complex therapies.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pump devices, which are each connected to the at least one lumen so as to convey fluid
Implementation Method 2
Separator fluids may in this case be pumped in between the various medical fluids, for example in order to administer various incompatible infusions successively to the patient
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion system and method for providing different medical fluids to a patient. The infusion system, which can be used in complex infusion therapies, includes a catheter with a catheter tube and at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter tube between a proximal tube end and a distal tube end. A plurality of pump devices are each connected to the at least one lumen so as to convey fluid. A control device is connected to the pump devices and adapted to control the pump devices so that the different medical fluids can be delivered through the at least one lumen by the pump devices in time division multiplex. The catheter can include the pump devices. Each pump device can be configured as a micropump mounted at the proximal tube end.