Implantable Flushing Pump for Infusate Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable medical devices face challenges in effectively mixing and delivering therapeutic agents due to limitations in infusion velocity and mixing efficiency compared to manual bolus delivery via hypodermic needles, which can result in reduced therapeutic efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A manually activated flushing pump is integrated into or separate from implantable pumps and ports, allowing for enhanced mixing of infusates by repeatedly injecting and withdrawing fluid, promoting dispersion within the body, and can be actuated through the skin or via natural patient motion, with optional pressure sensors for actuation reminders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If implantable pumps deliver infusate continuously at controlled rates, then therapeutic delivery is maintained over time, but mixing efficiency and dispersion of the infusate are reduced compared to manual bolus delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of therapeutic deliveryVSAvoidmixing efficiency of infusate

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic flushing cycles where the pump temporarily stops continuous infusate delivery, draws back a portion of the infusate, and re-injects it to create mixing action. This periodic interruption and re-injection cycle enhances dispersion of the infusate throughout the cerebrospinal fluid while maintaining overall therapeutic delivery over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a flushing mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the continuous delivery pump and the target site. This intermediary component performs barbotage (repeated injection and removal of fluid) to enhance mixing, thereby mediating between the need for continuous delivery and the need for effective dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If implantable pumps provide controlled and prolonged drug administration, then patient noncompliance is eliminated, but infusion velocity is reduced compared to manual hypodermic needle delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient compliance with therapyVSAvoidinfusion velocity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic high-velocity flushing cycles interspersed with lower-velocity continuous delivery phases. During the flushing cycles, the pump operates at higher velocities to mimic manual bolus delivery effectiveness, while maintaining overall reliability through automated controlled administration between cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The pump system dynamically adjusts infusion velocity between different operational modes: sustained low-velocity continuous delivery for reliable prolonged administration, and transient high-velocity flushing phases for enhanced mixing and dispersion, thereby adapting speed characteristics to different functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If implantable pumps use transcutaneous catheters for access, then external infusion risks are reduced, but mixing and dispersion at the delivery site are less effective than syringe plunger cycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection risk from transcutaneous accessVSAvoidfluid mixing at delivery site

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable pump system performs self-mixing through automated flushing cycles without requiring external manual intervention. The pump autonomously executes barbotage sequences, drawing back and re-injecting infusate to create effective mixing at the delivery site, thereby providing self-service mixing functionality that eliminates the need for external syringe manipulation while maintaining mixing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables improved dispersion and delivery of infusates, potentially increasing therapeutic efficacy by mimicking the effectiveness of manual bolus delivery methods while maintaining the benefits of implantable devices, such as controlled and prolonged drug administration.

Implementation Method 1

manually depressed or actuated to the skin of the patient, thereby removing and re-injecting a quantity of fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectManual actuation through skin: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

optional pressure sensors for actuation reminders

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12138418B2Fluid drug spread-promoting pump

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

An implantable infusate spread promoting system configured to enable improved dispersion of delivered infusate. The system including an implantable device configured to enable infusate delivery within a body of a patient, and an implantable manually actuatable flushing pump configured to remove and re-inject a quantity of fluid with each actuation to promote improved dispersion of the delivered infusate.