Disposable Diaphragm Pump Chamber With Magnetic Piston Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion pumps used in medical procedures, such as cardiac ablation, face issues with tissue overheating and damage due to local overheating during ablation procedures, necessitating the delivery of irrigation fluid to prevent charring and other tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A diaphragm pump with a removable and disposable pump chamber, featuring a piston with a ferromagnetic element and a flexible diaphragm with a second ferromagnetic element, allows for alternating stretching and contraction to modify the pump chamber volume, driven by a motor, and includes a coupling mechanism for easy attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a disposable pump chamber is used, then cost-effectiveness and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases due to the coupling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into a reusable pump body and a disposable pump chamber that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the complex coupling mechanism to be simplified and standardized, making attachment and detachment easy while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump chamber is designed as a disposable component that is replaced rather than cleaned and sterilized. This eliminates complex cleaning mechanisms and reduces operational complexity, while the standardized coupling interface maintains ease of attachment and detachment.
2Ease of operation
If ferromagnetic elements are used for coupling, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ferromagnetic coupling mechanism replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with magnetic attraction. This allows for self-alignment during attachment, significantly improving ease of operation while the tolerance compensation design ensures that manufacturing variations do not compromise functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling strength and distribution are optimized to provide sufficient holding force while accommodating reasonable manufacturing tolerances. The magnetic elements are positioned and dimensioned to ensure reliable coupling without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing.
3Reliability
If a flexible diaphragm is used for pumping, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for the diaphragm sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible diaphragm is designed with optimized geometry and material properties that provide reliable pumping action while being manufacturable within standard tolerances. The diaphragm's flexibility compensates for minor manufacturing variations in sealing surfaces, maintaining reliability without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm is constructed from composite materials that combine flexibility for pumping action with sufficient sealing capability. This material selection allows the diaphragm to maintain reliable sealing performance while accommodating reasonable manufacturing tolerances.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient delivery of irrigation fluid, reducing electrical noise and tubing debris, while ensuring effective tissue cooling and minimizing tissue damage during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible diaphragm includes a second ferromagnetic element, which engages the first ferromagnetic element when the pump chamber is attached to the pump body so that the reciprocal longitudinal motion of the piston causes alternating stretching and contraction of the flexible diaphragm
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, including a pump body having an internal shaft, and a piston disposed within the shaft and having a piston head that includes a first ferromagnetic element. The apparatus also includes a motor coupled to drive a reciprocal longitudinal motion of the piston within the shaft, and a pump chamber configured to be removably attached to the pump body and having a rigid wall defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an aperture. The apparatus additionally includes a flexible diaphragm fixed across the aperture and having a second ferromagnetic element, which engages the first ferromagnetic element when the pump chamber is attached to the pump body so that the reciprocal longitudinal motion of the piston causes alternating stretching and contraction of the flexible diaphragm, thereby modifying a volume of the pump chamber.