Infusion Pump Cassette Volume Estimation via Pneumatic Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems for home-based administration are time-consuming and prone to errors, with complex processes and potential contamination, especially in therapies requiring multiple drugs, such as HyQvia therapy, which involves many steps and single-use packages.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable drug delivery system comprising a single-use cassette with collapsible drug delivery bags and a reusable pump module, utilizing a pneumatic interface for drug administration, with a valve block assembly for drug selection and end-of-flow detection, and a passive NFC label for cassette state estimation, eliminating the need for sensors in the cassette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-use cassette with collapsible drug delivery bags is used, then sterility and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for pneumatic interface and valve block assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single-use cassette containing collapsible drug delivery bags that are discarded after one use. This disposable approach ensures sterility by eliminating the need to sterilize reusable components between uses, while the cassette integrates multiple functions (drug storage, pneumatic interface, valve control) into a unified disposable unit that simplifies operation despite the increased complexity of the disposable component itself.
2Ease of manufacture
If electronic sensors are removed from the cassette, then ease of manufacture and portability are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic sensors with a passive NFC (Near Field Communication) label attached to the cassette. This NFC label enables wireless communication of cassette state information without requiring electronic sensors, circuit boards, or power sources within the cassette itself, thereby simplifying manufacture while maintaining the ability to estimate cassette state through NFC reading by an external device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drug delivery bags are used in the pressure chamber, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to tubing system and valve switch requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a valve block assembly with a valve switch that can selectively control flow paths to different drug delivery bags within the same cassette. This multi-functional valve mechanism allows a single cassette to accommodate and deliver multiple different drugs by simply switching the flow path, providing adaptability without requiring separate cassettes for each drug, thereby managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of components.
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 simplifies drug administration by reducing steps, ensuring sterility, and enabling accurate drug delivery without electronic components in the cassette, allowing for easy portability and handling, while estimating drug volume indirectly through the pneumatic interface.
Implementation Method 1
A pneumatic interface is formed between the pressure chamber and the pump when the cassette and the pump housing are in a coupled configuration, the pump configured to pump air into the pressure chamber through the pneumatic interface to pressurize the pressure chamber and cause a drug to flow from one of the one or more dug bags through the outlet port
Implementation Method 2
a valve switch configured to selectively block drug flow through at least one of the plurality of drug flow paths, the valve switch including a detent configured to maintain the valve switch in a desired blocking position
Implementation Method 3
a linkage movably coupled to the chamber, the linkage comprising a lever link and one or more spikes, whereupon coupling the chamber to the pump module in a first direction acts on the lever link to drive the one or more spikes in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction to pierce the septum each of the one or more drug delivery bags
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery system includes a single-use cassette driven by a reusable pump module. The cassette includes one or more drug delivery bags disposed in a pressure chamber. A pump pressurizes the pressure chamber through a pneumatic interface between the pump module and cassette to dispense the drug from the drug delivery bags into a valve block assembly and through an outlet port.