Interchangeable Disposable Assemblies for Infusion Pumps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ambulatory infusion pumps are not optimized for individual patient needs, as they lack variability in size, complexity, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining accuracy, and manufacturing a wide range of pumps is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The development of interchangeable disposable assemblies with different characteristics that can be used with a single reusable assembly, allowing for customization in size, medicament concentration, and mode of operation, including a durable assembly with a magnetic motor rotor and gear train, and a disposable assembly with a reservoir and plunger, enabling easy switching between 'patch-pump' and 'pocket-pump' configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional infusion pumps are manufactured with fixed designs, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but adaptability to individual patient needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to patient needs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The infusion pump system is divided into two segments: a reusable pump body and disposable assemblies. The disposable assemblies can be configured with different characteristics (cannula lengths, reservoir sizes, adhesive types) to meet individual patient needs, while the pump body remains standardized for efficient manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reusable pump body is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of disposable assemblies. This allows a single pump design to serve multiple patient requirements by simply changing the disposable assembly, thereby maintaining manufacturing efficiency while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pump designs are created to meet different patient needs, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariability in size and configurationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the system into a standardized pump body and customizable disposable assemblies, the patent avoids the complexity of manufacturing multiple complete pump designs. Only the disposable assemblies require varied configurations, which are simpler and more cost-effective to produce in different variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable assemblies are designed as single-use components that can be easily manufactured in different configurations without affecting the expensive pump body. This allows for variety in disposable components (different cannulas, reservoirs, adhesives) while keeping the main pump design simple and standardized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If conventional infusion pumps are designed for accuracy, then delivery precision is improved, but device complexity and cost deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a standardized motorized drive system that uses software control to achieve precise fluid delivery. The reusable pump body contains the motor and control electronics, while disposable assemblies are designed to work with this standardized precision mechanism, maintaining accuracy without adding complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution allows for a more personalized and efficient infusion system that is cost-effective, adaptable to various patient needs, and reduces manufacturing complexity by using the same durable assembly with different disposable assemblies, enhancing user convenience and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic motor rotor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic motor: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4091649A1Different disposable assemblies for the same reusable assembly

Publication Date: 2022.11.23 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Disclosed herein are different disposable assemblies for the same reusable assembly. The different disposable assemblies include a first disposable assembly and a second disposable assembly. The first disposable assembly may be configured to be operatively coupled to the reusable assembly to deliver fluid, and the second disposable assembly may be configured to be operatively coupled to the reusable assembly to deliver fluid when the first disposable assembly is not operatively coupled to the reusable assembly. The first disposable assembly may have a first set of one or more characteristics, and the second disposable assembly may have a second set of one or more characteristics that is different from the first set of one or more characteristics.