Elastomeric Enteral Feeding Pump Filling for Quiet Discreet Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enteral feeding pumps are noisy, stigmatizing, and difficult to fill, requiring manual syringe actuation which can cause pain and injury, and are not discreet for public use.

Innovation Solution

A non-electrically driven enteral feeding pump with an expandable elastomeric bladder and fluid delivery tube, allowing for easy concealment and filling using a peristaltic pump, featuring interchangeable flow rates and visual indicators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a non-electrically driven pump is used, then the pump can be concealed discreetly without noise, but manual filling becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidfilling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a syringe as an intermediary device to fill the elastomeric reservoir. The syringe acts as a mediator that can be connected to the reservoir's fill port, allowing fluid transfer without requiring electrical equipment or creating noise, thus resolving the contradiction between silent operation and ease of filling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the filling function from the pump operation itself by extracting the filling process into a distinct manual syringe operation. This allows the pump to remain electrically silent while providing a dedicated, simplified filling mechanism through the syringe's plunger action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If manual syringe actuation is used for filling, then the pump can be filled, but high pressures cause pain and injury to the person filling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid volumeVSAvoidpain and injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a pressure relief valve or safety mechanism that activates before dangerous pressure levels can cause injury. This beforehand cushioning prevents the harmful effect of excessive pressure while still allowing sufficient pressure to transfer the required fluid volume into the reservoir

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple rounds of syringe actuation are required, then the total volume can be filled, but the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal volumeVSAvoidfilling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the syringe-filling mechanism to allow continuous or near-continuous fluid transfer into the reservoir. By enabling the syringe to be refilled and reconnected without disassembling the system, the useful action of filling continues uninterrupted, reducing total filling time while maintaining the required volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Adaptability or versatility

If a large backpack is used to carry the pump and supplies, then all supplies can be contained, but it is difficult to be discreet in public

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply capacityVSAvoidstigma and isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fluid supply reservoir directly into the pump housing, eliminating the need for separate supply bags and tubing. This merging of components creates a compact, self-contained unit that can be discreetly worn without requiring a large backpack, thus reducing stigma while maintaining full supply capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables discreet use and easy filling of enteral feeding pumps, reducing noise and manual effort, improving patient comfort and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a peristaltic pump configured to be operatively coupled to the inlet port of the expandable bladder for transferring fluid from a reservoir external to the expandable bladder into the chamber of the expandable bladder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Implementation Method 2

an expandable elastomeric bladder defining a chamber; an inlet port in fluid communication with the chamber, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12514790B2Elastomeric enteral feeding pump and filling system

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 AVENT INC

AI summary

A non-electrically driven enteral feeding pump including an expandable elastomeric bladder is provided. The enteral feeding pump includes a fluid delivery tube. The fluid delivery tube controls flow rate of fluid from the pump. The present invention further describes an enteral feeding pump assembly including the portable enteral feeding pump and a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump can be configured to be operatively coupled to the elastomeric bladder of the enteral feeding pump for transferring fluid from a reservoir external to the elastomeric bladder into a chamber of the elastomeric bladder.