Peristaltic Pump With Helical Cam for Lower Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transport devices for delivering beneficial agents face challenges in improving energy consumption, battery life, pump efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, and cassette configuration for complete reservoir access.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pump design featuring a cam shaft with a helical engagement portion and finger plates that compress a delivery tube, coupled with a motor and bevel gears, along with a cassette housing a fluid reservoir, and incorporating processors for power management and occlusion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If peristaltic pumps use rotating rollers to press against flexible tubing, then fluid delivery is achieved, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mechanism is segmented into multiple finger plates (at least three) that sequentially engage the delivery tube at different positions along the tube's length. This segmentation allows the tube to be compressed in stages rather than by a single continuous rolling action, reducing the peak force and energy required per compression cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam shaft implements periodic motion to sequentially actuate the finger plates in a rhythmic compression sequence. This periodic action allows the pump to deliver fluid in controlled pulses rather than continuous compression, enabling energy recovery during decompression phases and reducing overall power consumption compared to constant rolling pressure.
2Ease of operation
If traditional cassette configurations are used, then reservoir storage is provided, but complete access to reservoir contents is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery tube is routed to extend beyond the front face of the cassette housing, creating an external access point that allows users to reach and remove the tube without having to access the rear or interior of the cassette. This dimensional extension solves the problem of incomplete reservoir access by providing a third-dimensional exit path for the tube.
3Productivity
If pump components are made more complex to improve efficiency, then pump efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam shaft serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the driving motion for sequential finger plate actuation, defines the compression timing and sequence through its helical geometry, and structures the engagement portions to control the progressive compression of the delivery tube. This multi-functionality achieves improved pump efficiency without adding separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger plates act as intermediary elements between the cam shaft's rotational motion and the delivery tube compression. Instead of the cam shaft directly compressing the tube, the finger plates mediate this interaction, allowing for controlled sequential engagement and reducing mechanical complexity by decoupling the drive mechanism from the compression 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
Enhances pump efficiency, reduces energy consumption, improves comfort and ergonomics, and ensures complete reservoir access while providing reliable occlusion detection and power management.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump for delivery of a beneficial agent to a user. The pump includes a motor, a cam shaft coupled to the motor for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the cam shaft, the cam shaft having at least one radially-outward projection defining a helical engagement portion disposed along a length of the cam shaft, and a plurality of finger plates disposed along the length of the cam shaft, each finger plate mounted for movement in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the cam shaft
Data Source
AI summary
Pump includes a motor, a cam shaft coupled to the motor for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the cam shaft, the cam shaft having at least one radially-outward projection defining a helical engagement portion disposed along a length of the cam shaft, and a plurality of finger plates disposed along the length of the cam shaft, each finger plate mounted for movement in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the cam shaft, each finger plate having an aperture defined therein to receive the cam shaft therethrough, each aperture having a substantially straight edge region and an opposing edge region. Engagement of the helical engagement portion with the substantially flat edge region during rotation of the cam shaft urges the finger plate transversely toward an extended position. Systems and techniques for delivering a beneficial agent to a user are also provided.