Removable Infusion Cartridge Pump for Precise Low-Power Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infusion systems for liquid therapeutic products, such as insulin delivery, are large, require frequent battery replacement or recharging, and have complex, costly wetted parts that need frequent flushing or replacement, with high electrical power demands for precise flow rate control.

Innovation Solution

A removably attachable cartridge system with a disposable pumping chamber and actuator housed separately, utilizing a shape memory alloy actuator and one-way check valves for precise fluid control, allowing for a durable, rechargeable system with disposable components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If disposable reservoirs are used with pump interface, then reservoir replacement is simplified, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir replacementVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into a reusable pump unit and a disposable cartridge containing the reservoir and pumping chamber. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be easily replaced as part of the cartridge without complex interfaces, while the pump unit remains simple and reusable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir and pumping chamber are merged into a single disposable cartridge assembly. This combination simplifies the replacement process as users replace the entire cartridge rather than dealing with separate reservoir and pump components, reducing interface complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If high precision flow rate control is implemented, then delivery accuracy improves, but electrical power requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate control accuracyVSAvoidelectrical power requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex electronic flow control mechanisms with a mechanically driven pumping chamber that uses a drive member to directly displace fluid. This mechanical approach achieves precise flow rate control (25-50 nano litres per hour) without requiring high electrical power, as the actuator uses minimal energy to drive the mechanical pumping action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If wetted parts are made durable and reusable, then cost decreases, but maintenance frequency and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent costVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge containing the reservoir and pumping chamber (wetted parts) is designed as a disposable component. This eliminates the need for maintenance, flushing, or sterilization of wetted parts, as the entire cartridge is replaced when needed. The reusable pump unit contains only dry components that require minimal maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Duration of action of moving object

If battery capacity is increased to reduce replacement frequency, then duration of action improves, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operation durationVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous therapeutic product delivery by using a reusable pump unit with adequate battery capacity that can operate for extended periods. The disposable cartridge can be quickly replaced when empty, ensuring continuous operation without requiring excessively large battery capacity, thus balancing duration of action with acceptable device weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

The system minimizes costs by enabling disposable cartridges while maintaining precise fluid delivery, reducing user inconvenience and medical downtime due to battery or reservoir replacement, and simplifying maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a shape memory alloy actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

the inlet valve and the outlet valve each comprise a normally closed one-way check valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOne-way check valve: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3400042B1Infusion system with a removably attachable cartridge

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 VICENTRA BV

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AI summary

A fluid delivery system (1) includes a reservoir (7) for storing a fluid, a pumping chamber (8) and an actuator (20). The pumping chamber (8) has a volume, an inlet valve (48) providing selective fluid communication between the pumping chamber volume and the reservoir, an outlet valve (49), and a membrane (47) the displacement of which changes the pumping chamber volume. The actuator (20) moves a drive member (21) in reciprocating motion. The actuator (20) is disposed in a housing (9) having an aperture (36) from which the drive member projects. The reservoir (7) and the pumping chamber (8) are arranged in a cartridge (3) removably attachable to the housing. When the cartridge (3) is attached to the housing (9) the drive member (20) is operatively coupled to the pumping chamber membrane (47). The fluid delivery system may be applied to an infusion system for the infusion of a liquid therapeutic product, such as insulin.