Elastomer Infusion Pump Flow Regulation Under Variable Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion arrangements with elastomer pumps face challenges in maintaining a constant volumetric flow of medical fluids due to variable delivery pressure caused by filling state changes and external factors, leading to potential underdosing or overdosing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hydraulic flow-regulating valve with an automatically variable throttle action that adjusts based on delivery pressure to maintain a setpoint value, ensuring consistent dispensing of medical fluids without an external energy supply, and utilizing a 2-way flow-regulating valve with a capillary element and pressure scale arrangement for reliable regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flow rate limiter is used to control the volumetric flow, then the flow can be limited to a predetermined nominal value, but the volumetric flow cannot be regulated to a setpoint value due to variable delivery pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic flow regulation system where the orifice cross-section area is automatically adjusted based on delivery pressure variations. The flow-regulating valve changes its throttling characteristic dynamically to compensate for pressure changes, allowing precise regulation of volumetric flow to a setpoint value rather than a fixed nominal value.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-regulating valve incorporates a feedback mechanism that responds to delivery pressure changes. The valve automatically adjusts its opening in response to pressure variations, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accurate flow regulation despite external pressure fluctuations.
2Productivity
If the pump volume filling state decreases, then the delivery pressure drops, but the volumetric flow becomes unregulated and may lead to underdosing or overdosing
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-regulating valve dynamically adjusts its throttling characteristic throughout the infusion process. As the pump volume decreases and delivery pressure drops, the valve automatically opens further to maintain constant volumetric flow. This dynamic adjustment ensures accurate dosing is maintained from full to empty pump volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the valve opening parameter in response to changing delivery pressure. By varying the orifice cross-section area as a function of pressure, the system compensates for the natural pressure decline during infusion, maintaining constant flow and accurate dosing throughout the entire pump discharge cycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external factors such as temperature or height difference influence the delivery pressure, then the volumetric flow is affected, but no compensation mechanism is present
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-regulating valve uses feedback from actual delivery pressure conditions to automatically compensate for external factors. Whether pressure changes are caused by temperature variations, height differences, or other environmental factors, the valve responds by adjusting its opening to maintain consistent volumetric flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is self-regulating and does not require external control mechanisms. The flow-regulating valve automatically detects and compensates for pressure variations caused by environmental factors, adjusting its throttling characteristic to maintain reliable and consistent flow without external intervention.
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 ensures a constant, regulated dispensing of medical fluids over time, preventing underdosing or overdosing by automatically adjusting the throttle action in response to changes in delivery pressure, thereby improving the administration of medical fluids.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomer membrane, in a filling state of the pump volume at least partially filled with the medical fluid, has an elastic expansion dependent on the filling state
Implementation Method 2
the fluid control device has a hydraulic flow-regulating valve, which is designed to regulate the volumetric flow to a setpoint value and is provided with a throttle action that is automatically variable at least in accordance with the delivery pressure
Implementation Method 3
a 2-way flow-regulating valve with a capillary element and pressure scale arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion arrangement for administering a medical fluid includes a medical elastomer pump that produces a delivery pressure dependent on expansion and thus is variable over an infusion duration, a fluid conduit path provided for discharging the medical fluid from the elastomer pump, and a fluid control device arranged in the fluid conduit path and designed to influence a volumetric flow of the medical fluid delivered through the fluid conduit path by the elastomer pump. The fluid control device has a hydraulic flow-regulating valve designed to regulate the volumetric flow to a setpoint value and is provided with a throttle action that is automatically variable at least in accordance with the delivery pressure. The infusion arrangement can be used in infusion therapy.