Fluid Transfer Device for Drug Pump Cartridge Filling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Drug pump cartridges require reliable calibrated operation, which is compromised by changes in static and dynamic frictional properties during liquid drug filling, especially when the slidable driving plunger is displaced, leading to variance in frictional properties and unreliable operation.

Innovation Solution

The development of fluid transfer devices that allow filling of drug pump cartridges without displacing the slidable driving plunger, using a dual open-ended barrel with a transverse partition and a piston head to create a compression chamber, enabling continuous liquid flow from a drug vial to the cartridge while maintaining the plunger's initial position, and optionally incorporating a manual flow control arrangement for reconstitution or dilution purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the slidable driving plunger is displaced during filling, then the cartridge can be filled with liquid drug contents, but the static and dynamic frictional properties change causing unreliable calibrated operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid drug contents fillingVSAvoidcalibrated operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary filling mechanism that transfers liquid drug contents into the cartridge without requiring displacement of the slidable driving plunger. This intermediary process maintains the plunger in its initial position, preserving the frictional properties and calibrated operation while still achieving complete filling of the cartridge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the slidable driving plunger remains in initial position, then reliable calibrated operation is maintained, but the cartridge cannot be filled with liquid drug contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibrated operationVSAvoidliquid drug contents filling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filling process is segmented into distinct phases: first, the cartridge is prepared with the plunger in its initial position to establish calibrated operation; then, liquid drug contents are introduced through a separate filling mechanism that does not involve plunger displacement. This segmentation allows both reliable calibrated operation and complete filling to be achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If there is variance in frictional properties after plunger displacement, then filling can be completed, but the dosage volume precision is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage volumeVSAvoiddosage volume precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by establishing the plunger position and calibrated frictional properties before the filling process begins. The filling is then conducted in a manner that does not alter this pre-established configuration, thereby preserving dosage volume precision while completing the filling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures reliable calibrated operation of drug pumps by maintaining the slidable driving plunger's position during filling, ensuring consistent dosage volume and preventing displacement, thus ensuring immediate readiness for administration without compromising the cartridge's sealing or operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

Sliding insertion of the piston head into the piston cylinder to butt against the transverse partition urges air trapped in the compression chamber into the drug vial which in turn urges its liquid drug contents into the vented drug pump cartridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10806667B2Fluid transfer devices for filling drug pump cartridges with liquid drug contents

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 WEST PHARM SERVICES IL LTD

AI summary

Fluid transfer devices for filling a drug pump cartridge with liquid drug contents for administration purposes. Fluid transfer device includes a dual open ended barrel partitioned by a transverse partition into a drug vial port for telescopic mounting on a drug vial and an open ended piston cylinder for slidingly receiving a piston head including a drug pump cartridge port for telescopic mounting on a leading cartridge end of a drug pump cartridge. Sliding insertion of the piston head into the piston cylinder to butt against the transverse partition urges air trapped in the compression chamber into the drug vial which in turn urges its liquid drug contents into the vented drug pump cartridge.