Clutch-Driven Fluid Delivery Mechanism for Reduced Prime Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ambulatory infusion pumps face challenges in reducing size, improving user comfort, and incorporating continuous glucose monitoring, while their fluid driving mechanisms are complex and difficult to assemble and inspect.
Innovation Solution
The fluid delivery device incorporates a clutch mechanism in its drive system, allowing for reduced prime pulses and assured priming, and includes a transcutaneous access tool for easy deployment and integration of continuous glucose monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a clutch mechanism is added to the drive system, then assembly and inspection are simplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into distinct functional components: a clutch mechanism with movable and fixed members, a drive source, and a fluid delivery system. This segmentation allows each component to be independently assembled, inspected, and maintained, simplifying manufacturing processes despite adding to overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism introduces dynamic elements (movable clutch member that can engage/disengage) to the previously static or continuously operating drive system. This dynamic design enables controlled priming operations and simplifies inspection by allowing the system to be placed in specific states during assembly and maintenance.
2Volume of moving object
If the pump size is reduced, then user comfort and portability improve, but the fluid driving mechanism becomes more difficult to assemble and inspect
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism components are nested within the compact pump housing, with the movable clutch member positioned within the fluid drive mechanism's bore. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall pump volume while maintaining the functional complexity needed for easy assembly and inspection of the fluid driving mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism utilizes the axial dimension (movement along the bore axis) to achieve engagement and disengagement, rather than requiring lateral expansion. This allows the pump to remain compact in radial dimensions while providing sufficient space for the clutch components to move and be inspected along the longitudinal axis.
3Reliability
If continuous glucose monitoring is integrated, then therapeutic efficacy improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transcutaneous access tool serves multiple functions: it provides both fluid delivery (insulin infusion) and glucose monitoring capabilities through a single insertion point. This multi-functionality integrates continuous glucose monitoring into the existing pump structure without requiring separate devices, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery system and glucose monitoring system are merged into a single integrated device. The clutch mechanism and fluid drive system share common structural elements with the glucose sensor interface, combining multiple therapeutic functions (infusion and monitoring) into one unified system that reduces overall complexity compared to separate devices.
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 clutch mechanism simplifies assembly and inspection, reduces prime pulses, and ensures full priming, while enabling compact design and integration of glucose monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch mechanism coupled to the drive wheel, wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to allow the nut to pass through the clutch mechanism when disengaged and is configured to grip the nut when engaged
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid delivery device comprising a fluid reservoir; a transcutaneous access tool fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir; and a drive mechanism for driving fluid from the reservoir, the drive mechanism comprising a plunger received in the reservoir; a leadscrew extending from the plunger; a nut threadably engaged with the leadscrew; a drive wheel; and a clutch mechanism coupled to the drive wheel, wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to allow the nut to pass through when disengaged and is configured to grip the nut when engaged such that the drive wheel rotates the nut to advance the drive rod and the plunger into the reservoir.