Contactless Fluid Pump Using Magnetic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanized fluid delivery systems are noisy, prone to contamination due to physical contact, and have limited continuous use due to mechanical wear, making them unsuitable for long-term applications in patient care.
Innovation Solution
A contactless fluid pump using a magneto-sensitive element coupled to a membrane within a fluid chamber, where a time-varying magnetic field induces reciprocating movement to pump fluid without physical contact, reducing noise and contamination risks and enabling longer operation without maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanized pumping mechanisms are used, then fluid delivery is achieved, but noise is generated due to mechanical movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pumping mechanism with a magnetic field-based actuation system. A magneto-sensitive element responds to external magnetic field variations, causing a membrane to reciprocate and pump fluid without direct mechanical contact between the actuator and fluid chamber components, thereby eliminating mechanical noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magneto-sensitive element as an intermediary between the magnetic field actuator and the fluid membrane. This intermediary converts magnetic field variations into mechanical membrane movement, enabling contactless actuation and reducing noise transmission to the fluid system.
2Reliability
If physical contact between disposable portion and pumping element is used, then pumping action is achieved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates direct physical contact between the durable pumping element and the disposable fluid portion by using magnetic field actuation. The magneto-sensitive element in the disposable portion responds to magnetic fields from the durable actuator without mechanical contact, preventing contamination while maintaining effective pumping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary energy transfer mechanism between the durable actuator and disposable fluid chamber. This non-contact energy transmission method enables pumping action while maintaining fluid isolation and preventing contamination between disposable and durable components.
3Reliability
If conventional mechanical pumps are used, then fluid delivery is achieved, but mechanical wear limits continuous use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based pumping with magnetic field actuation. The magneto-sensitive element and membrane system has no mechanical wear points since the actuator does not physically contact the fluid chamber components, enabling continuous operation beyond the 96-hour limitation of conventional mechanical pumps.
4Device complexity
If fixed stroke volume pumps are used, then simple design is maintained, but adaptability to changing fluid requirements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of pump stroke volume by controlling the characteristics of the applied magnetic field. By varying magnetic field frequency, amplitude, or temporal patterns, the system can adjust the membrane reciprocation and fluid delivery volume in real-time without mechanical reconfiguration, providing adaptability while maintaining design simplicity.
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 contactless fluid pump operates quietly, minimizes contamination risks, and can be used continuously for extended periods without part replacement, enhancing patient care by providing a reliable and efficient fluid delivery system.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator configured to contactlessly induce a reciprocating movement of the membrane by application of a time-varying magnetic field to the magneto-sensitive element
Implementation Method 2
A magneto-sensitive element is coupled to the membrane such that a reciprocating movement of the magneto-sensitive element in response to an external magnetic field causes the membrane to reciprocate
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pump apparatus for pumping a fluid from a fluid source to a fluid output comprises a first portion, such as a durable portion, and a second portion, such as a disposable portion. The first portion includes a fluid chamber having a wall and an internal cavity, an input port and an output port. A membrane forms a portion of the wall. The first portion further includes a magneto-sensitive element coupled to the membrane. The second portion comprises an actuator configured to contactlessly induce a reciprocating movement of the membrane by application of a time-varying magnetic field to the magneto-sensitive element, thereby facilitating pumping of the fluid through the fluid chamber.