Infusion Device Force Sensor Protection via Transfer Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable infusion devices face challenges in maintaining accurate force measurement and operation across varying atmospheric pressures, leading to potential medication leakage or incorrect dosing due to pressure fluctuations and malfunctions from environmental factors like temperature and humidity.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates an improved force measurement system with a transfer element that protects the force sensor from overloading and automatically resets, using a resilient member for return to the original position, and includes sensors for temperature, humidity, and pressure monitoring to prevent malfunctions and ensure accurate calibration and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the force sensor is directly exposed to the piston rod movement, then the force measurement is direct and simple, but the force sensor is susceptible to overloading and damage from pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
A transfer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the piston rod and the force sensor. This transfer element transmits the axial force from the piston rod to the force sensor while protecting the sensor from direct exposure to pressure fluctuations and potential overloading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The force sensor is pre-protected by positioning it remotely from the direct force application point and using the transfer element to mediate force transmission. This beforehand protection ensures the sensor is not directly subjected to sudden pressure changes or overloading conditions that could damage it.
2Reliability
If the piston rod is kept retracted to protect the force sensor, then the sensor is protected from overload, but the device cannot perform infusion operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the position of the piston rod based on operational requirements. During normal infusion operations, the piston rod is extended to perform its function. During reset operations, the piston rod is retracted to a defined position where it touches the transfer element, enabling force sensor calibration while protecting the sensor from overload conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod undergoes periodic cycles of extension for infusion operations and retraction for reset/calibration operations. This periodic action allows the system to alternate between operational modes, ensuring both infusion capability and force sensor protection/calibration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the device housing is sealed to protect internal components, then protection from environmental factors is improved, but pressure equalization with the environment is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
A membrane is used to close the venting device opening in the housing. This membrane allows air to pass through for pressure equalization while preventing liquid from entering the housing, thus protecting internal components from liquid damage while maintaining pressure balance with the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with selective permeability at specific locations. The membrane provides local quality by being permeable to gases (allowing pressure equalization) while impermeable to liquids (protecting from liquid harm). This localized property differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing and pressure equalization.
4Reliability
If environmental sensors are added to monitor temperature, humidity, and pressure, then device reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the motor for piston rod actuation, processes data from environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, pressure), and manages force sensor calibration. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent adds environmental monitoring capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 solution ensures precise force measurement and calibration, reduces the risk of medication leakage, and maintains device integrity by monitoring environmental factors, enhancing the reliability and safety of infusion operations across different conditions.
Implementation Method 1
using a resilient member for return to the original position
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion apparatus for delivering medication includes a housing, a drive device, a product container, and a battery compartment with a battery compartment lid having a plastic part and a metal cap. The plastic part is electrically non-conductive and the metal cap includes a proximal surface facing the plastic part and a distal surface facing an interior of the battery compartment. The metal cap includes through-holes and the plastic part includes protrusions extending through the through-holes to form an arrangement in which a first terminal of a battery positioned in the battery compartment can contact the distal surface of the metal cap, resulting in electrical contact between the metal cap and the first terminal, and in which a second terminal of the battery positioned in the battery compartment contacts the arrangement to prevent electrical contact to prevent reverse poling of the battery by reverse battery insertion into the battery compartment.