Eccentric Cam Spiral Ring Pump for Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery systems for long-term, continuous, or semi-continuous intravenous drug administration are often cumbersome, noisy, vibrational, and inefficient, with a need for improved portability, reduced size, and enhanced reliability while maintaining consistent medication supply and minimizing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device featuring a spiral ring pump mechanism with an eccentric component that applies a constant compression force to a ring tube, utilizing a sleeve bearing and pump race to efficiently deliver medication through peristalsis, reducing energy consumption and preventing backflow or forward flow when de-energized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pump mechanism is used for intravenous drug delivery, then the device can deliver medication, but the device becomes large, noisy, and vibration-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pump components with an eccentric cam mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion directly, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, motors, and control systems. This substitution reduces device size, noise, and vibration while maintaining reliable drug delivery through the eccentric cam's inherent mechanical advantage and smooth motion profile
Solution Approach 2:
The eccentric cam mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the drive mechanism, the positioning element, and the motion conversion device. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate components into a single integrated element, reducing overall device volume while maintaining delivery reliability
2Reliability
If a traditional pump mechanism is used, then medication can be delivered, but the device consumes excessive power and generates noise and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric motor-driven pump mechanisms with a purely mechanical eccentric cam system that utilizes simple rotational motion to generate the required reciprocating motion. This eliminates continuous high-power motor operation, reducing power consumption while maintaining consistent drug delivery through the cam's precise mechanical geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The eccentric cam mechanism operates through periodic rotational cycles that naturally produce the reciprocating motion needed for drug delivery. This periodic action eliminates the need for continuous power application, allowing the system to consume power only during brief acceleration phases rather than maintaining continuous high-power operation, thereby reducing overall energy consumption
3Reliability
If complex pump components are used, then delivery control is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronically-controlled pump systems with a mechanically-simple eccentric cam mechanism where delivery accuracy is determined by the cam's fixed geometry rather than active electronic control. This substitution reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable delivery through passive mechanical precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves delivery control by changing the geometric parameters of the eccentric cam (such as eccentricity distance, cam profile shape, and rotation speed) rather than using complex electronic control systems. This approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining delivery accuracy through well-defined mechanical parameters that are easier and less expensive to manufacture and control
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 spiral ring pump mechanism achieves high efficiency and low power consumption, ensuring consistent drug delivery, reducing device size and cost, and enhancing patient comfort and usability by minimizing noise and vibration, while maintaining accurate dosing and preventing fluid flow issues.
Implementation Method 1
The compression force between the contact surface and the ring tube portion is preferably substantially constant throughout a complete revolution about the axis by the eccentric component
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device is provided that includes a housing, a fluid displacement assembly at least partially supported by and/or surrounded by the housing, and a drive component at least partially supported by and/or surrounded by the housing. The fluid displacement assembly includes a ring tube portion. The drive component includes an eccentric component having a contact surface configured to directly or indirectly apply a compression force to a compression patch of the ring tube portion such that when the eccentric component rotates about an axis, the contact surface moves along generally circular path and drives the medicament through the fluid displacement assembly. The compression force between the contact surface and the ring tube portion is preferably substantially constant throughout a complete revolution about the axis by the eccentric component.