Disposable Pump Cartridge for Automated Drug Compounding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmaceutical compounding processes lack automation, leading to challenges in maintaining sterility and proper mixing characteristics, resulting in inefficiencies and potential user errors during the reconstitution and delivery of medications.
Innovation Solution
A disposable pump cartridge with multiple controllable fluid pathways and a piston pump is introduced, enabling the reconstitution of drugs, delivery of diluents, and removal of waste, while maintaining a sterile environment and ensuring proper mixing without air bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual compounding is performed by pharmacist, tech or nurse using various tools, then flexibility in creating specific pharmaceutical products is maintained, but sterility maintenance becomes difficult and user errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable cartridges that are pre-sterilized and single-use, eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures while maintaining sterility. Each cartridge is discarded after one use, preventing cross-contamination and reducing user errors associated with manual sterilization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated compounding system performs mixing, agitation, and transfer operations automatically without human intervention. The system self-regulates fluid pathways, piston movements, and valve operations to maintain sterility and consistency, reducing reliance on user skill and minimizing errors.
2Reliability
If automation is introduced to maintain sterility and proper mixing, then reliability and consistency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions (fluid transfer, mixing, agitation, and waste removal) into a single automated cartridge system. The cartridge combines pistons, fluid pathways, and mixing chambers in one integrated unit, reducing the need for separate devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated cartridge is designed to handle multiple operations universally - it can transfer diluents, mix pharmaceuticals, agitate solutions, and remove waste through the same device. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining reliability and sterility.
3Productivity
If multiple fluid pathways are integrated into a single cartridge, then productivity and efficiency improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compounding system into discrete modular cartridges, each containing integrated fluid pathways. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual cartridges with precise fluid channels, while the modular nature enables easy replacement and reduces the impact of manufacturing tolerances on overall system performance.
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 system efficiently reconstitutes pharmaceuticals in a sterile environment, delivers the compounded medication to a receiving container, and manages waste effectively, reducing user errors and improving the reliability and efficiency of the compounding process.
Implementation Method 1
a piston pump configured to pump the fluid and the vapor waste within the plurality of controllable fluid pathways
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable pump cartridge for a compounder system is provided. The cartridge may include a plurality of controllable fluid pathways and a piston for pumping fluid and/or vapors through selected ones of the fluid pathways. The cartridge may include a plurality of valves operable to select particular pathways from the plurality of pathways. The fluid pathways may be formed from a portion of a cartridge frame and a sealing membrane disposed on the cartridge frame. A cartridge bezel disposed over the sealing membrane may include openings that provide access to the valves. The valves and the piston may be operated by a pump drive of the compounder system. The bezel may include additional openings that provide access to ports within the cartridge for receiving diluents or for providing waste. Portions of the sealing membrane within the additional openings in the bezel may be configured to receive a needle therethrough.