Collapsible Container Fluid Dispenser with Rate Control Chip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing devices for ambulatory patients are not adequately designed for uninterrupted drug or fluid infusion across various healthcare settings and environments, including hospitals, surgery centers, and austere environments, and lack features to prevent medication errors and simplify infusion therapy initiation without medical professional assistance.
Innovation Solution
A compact fluid dispenser with a novel design featuring a housing, a penetrating sub-assembly, a rate control chip, a collapsible container, and variable force springs that allow for controlled fluid delivery, hermetic sealing, and sterilization, enabling continuous infusion and reducing the risk of medication errors, suitable for use in diverse settings with minimal training requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gravity flow and hypodermic syringe methods are used, then simple device structure is maintained, but uninterrupted fluid infusion across various healthcare settings cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional assemblies: a penetrating assembly for vessel access, a reservoir assembly for fluid storage, a pump assembly for controlled delivery, and a control assembly for operation management. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve reliable uninterrupted infusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The design employs nested configurations where the penetrating assembly is integrated within the housing, the reservoir is contained within the device body, and the pump mechanism is positioned within the housing structure. This nesting reduces overall device footprint while maintaining functional integrity for reliable infusion.
2Duration of action of moving object
If complex fluid delivery systems are implemented to enable continuous infusion, then uninterrupted delivery is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured with the reservoir attached to the pump assembly and the penetrating assembly positioned for immediate use. The pump is pre-filled with medicinal fluid and the system is prepared for activation, allowing rapid deployment without complex assembly steps during critical situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly automatically draws fluid from the reservoir and delivers it through the penetrating assembly without requiring manual intervention for fluid transfer. The system self-regulates the infusion process, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining continuous delivery.
3Volume of moving object
If compact design is pursued for portability, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into integrated assemblies: the pump mechanism is combined with the reservoir mounting structure, the penetrating assembly is integrated with the housing, and control elements are incorporated into the pump assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining functionality, achieving compact size with manageable manufacturing complexity.
4Reliability
If hermetic sealing and sterilization features are added to prevent medication errors, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic seal serves multiple functions: it prevents contamination of the medicinal fluid, maintains sterile conditions within the reservoir, and prevents leakage during transport and use. The sterilization capability is integrated into the manufacturing process rather than requiring additional operational components, achieving safety without excessive complexity.
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 ensures continuous and controlled infusion of medicinal fluids like Bupivacaine, reducing medication errors and allowing for quick initiation of infusion therapy in any healthcare setting, including during transport or rehabilitation, with a compact and reliable design suitable for both military and home care use.
Implementation Method 1
a stored energy source provided in the form of a substantially constant-force spring that provides the force necessary to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of variable force springs that function to thrust the collapsible container into penetrating engagement with the penetrating member of the penetrating assembly and then to collapse the collapsible container to deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient
Implementation Method 3
a rate control chip of novel construction that is connected to the penetrating sub-assembly and functions to control the rate of flow of medicinal fluid to the patient
Implementation Method 4
The apparatus also includes a novel locking mechanism that releasably locks the operating member against rotation relative to the shuttle
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing device and the method of making same for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes a housing, a first assembly connected to the first end of the housing that includes a body portion, and a penetrating sub-assembly. The first assembly also includes a rate control chip of novel construction that is connected to the penetrating sub-assembly and functions to control the rate of flow of medicinal fluid to the patient. Disposed within the housing is a second assembly that includes a shuttle, a collapsible container carried by the shuttle and a plurality of variable force springs that function to thrust the collapsible container into penetrating engagement with the penetrating member of the penetrating assembly and then to collapse the collapsible container to deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient. Connected to the second end of the housing is a novel third assembly that includes an operating member that is threadably connected to the shuttle. The operating member functions to controllably move the shuttle forwardly of the housing. The apparatus also includes a novel locking mechanism that releasably locks the operating member against rotation relative to the shuttle.