Implantable Fluid Delivery Device Gas Chamber Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable fluid delivery devices face challenges in accurately monitoring the volume of therapeutic fluid in their reservoirs due to human error in fill volume specification and theoretical dispense rates, which can lead to underdosing or overdosing of patients, and the complexity of incorporating additional sensors to account for temperature effects on pressure measurements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pressure sensor to measure the pressure within the propellant gas chamber surrounding the reservoir, with a protrusion providing clearance for reliable fluid communication, allowing for accurate pressure measurement and estimation of fluid volume, thereby reducing the need for additional temperature sensors and simplifying the refilling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is incorporated to measure pressure within the propellant gas chamber, then measurement precision of fluid volume is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure measurement function from direct contact with the therapeutic fluid reservoir and places it in the propellant gas chamber. The pressure sensor measures pressure in the gas chamber rather than directly in the fluid reservoir, simplifying the measurement setup while maintaining accuracy for fluid volume estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The propellant gas chamber serves as an intermediary medium between the therapeutic fluid and the pressure sensor. By measuring pressure in the gas chamber that surrounds the reservoir, the system indirectly measures fluid volume without requiring direct sensor contact with the therapeutic fluid, reducing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If additional temperature sensors are incorporated to account for temperature effects on pressure measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for temperature sensors by extracting the temperature compensation requirement from the measurement system. The propellant gas chamber design inherently isolates the pressure measurement from temperature variations that would affect direct fluid reservoir measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The propellant gas chamber system self-regulates pressure measurements without requiring additional temperature compensation sensors. The gas chamber design inherently accounts for temperature effects, making the system self-sufficient for accurate pressure measurement across varying temperatures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the housing is designed with a protrusion to provide clearance for fluid communication, then ease of manufacture is improved, but volume of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding a protrusion feature only in the specific location where fluid communication clearance is needed, rather than increasing the overall device volume uniformly. The protrusion is a localized modification that facilitates manufacturing and fluid flow without significantly impacting the compactness of the entire device.
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 enables precise monitoring of reservoir fluid volume, reducing errors in drug delivery and maintaining consistent therapeutic outcomes by accurately measuring pressure within the propellant gas chamber, thus ensuring reliable and efficient operation of implantable fluid delivery devices.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure within the chamber
Implementation Method 2
The chamber is configured to be filled with a propellant gas configured to regulate a pressure within the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device is configured with a pressure sensor arranged within the device to reliably and accurately measure the pressure within a propellant gas chamber at least partially surrounding a therapeutic fluid reservoir of the device. In one example, a housing of the IMD includes a protrusion that is configured to provide clearance for fluid communication between a propellant gas chamber pressure sensor and the propellant gas chamber.