Infusion Cartridge Venting Structure for Air Bubble Discharge

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infusion pumps face challenges with air bubble accumulation in fluid storage bags, requiring manual effort to discharge air bubbles, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An infusion cartridge with a flexible film portion covering a recess, featuring a filling port and a ventilation port, including a ventilation filter, to minimize air bubble accumulation and facilitate easy gas discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a fluid storage bag is used to store infusion solution, then the storage capacity and flexibility are improved, but air bubbles accumulate in deformed parts such as wrinkles, requiring time-consuming manual discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidtime for air bubble discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage bag is segmented into multiple chambers separated by partition walls. This segmentation prevents air bubbles from accumulating across the entire storage space, as each chamber can be independently managed and air bubbles are confined to smaller regions, facilitating easier and faster removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A ventilation channel system acts as an intermediary structure within the storage bag. This channel provides a dedicated pathway for air bubbles to travel from the filling region to the discharge region, enabling automatic air removal without requiring manual intervention to physically move or discharge bubbles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If manual striking or posture changes are used to discharge air bubbles, then air bubbles can be collected and discharged, but the process requires significant manual effort and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bubble dischargeVSAvoidmanual effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage bag design enables self-service air discharge functionality. The ventilation channels and partition structure work together to automatically guide and collect air bubbles during the filling process, allowing the system to remove air bubbles without requiring external manual actions such as striking or changing the bag's posture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation channels are pre-configured within the storage bag structure to facilitate air bubble movement. This preliminary arrangement of air discharge pathways ensures that air bubbles are automatically directed toward the discharge region during filling, eliminating the need for subsequent manual air removal actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a simple storage bag without internal structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but air bubbles accumulate in deformed parts and are difficult to discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage bag structureVSAvoidair bubble discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage bag is segmented into multiple chambers separated by partition walls. This segmentation prevents air bubbles from accumulating across the entire storage space, as each chamber can be independently managed and air bubbles are confined to smaller regions, facilitating easier and faster removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A ventilation channel system acts as an intermediary structure within the storage bag. This channel provides a dedicated pathway for air bubbles to travel from the filling region to the discharge region, enabling automatic air removal without requiring manual intervention to physically move or discharge bubbles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design reduces air bubble accumulation and simplifies the process of discharging gas, enhancing efficiency and reducing manual effort in handling air bubbles.

Implementation Method 1

the ventilation port is formed by a ventilation filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12533294B2Infusion cartridge and infusion pump

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 TERUMO KK

AI summary

An infusion cartridge includes: a case portion having a portion that defines a recess; and a film portion that has flexibility and covers an open side of the recess. The film portion and said portion of the case portion together form an inner wall that defines a storage space configured to store an infusion solution. The infusion cartridge further includes: a filling port located at the inner wall and configured to allow the infusion solution to be filled into the storage space from an outside; and a ventilation port located at the inner wall and configured to allow gas in the storage space to be discharged to the outside.