Infusion Line Dosing via Gravity and Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for dosed dispensing of infusion fluids are either poorly adjustable or overly complex, leading to inaccurate dosing and high manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A device with a fluid vessel and infusion line connected to a patient access, where the infusion line has a predefined inner diameter and length, allowing for predetermined dosing based on pre-configured parameters such as height, ambient temperature, and fluid composition, eliminating the need for user adjustment and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a regulator device is placed on the infusion line to control dispensing, then the dosing can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing adjustabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The infusion line is pre-configured with specific geometric parameters (inner diameter, length) during manufacturing to achieve predetermined dosing characteristics. This eliminates the need for complex regulator devices and allows accurate dosing without additional control mechanisms, directly resolving the contradiction between dosing adjustability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If an infusion pump with a sliding mechanism is used, then accurate dosing is achieved, but the device becomes expensive to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a disposable infusion line with pre-configured geometric parameters that provides accurate dosing at low cost. Instead of using expensive reusable infusion pumps with sliding mechanisms, the dosing function is integrated into the single-use infusion line through its physical dimensions, dramatically reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If the infusion line has predefined dimensions, then the dosing is predetermined and accurate, but the ease of operation decreases due to lack of user adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiduser adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The infusion line is designed to be self-regulating through its pre-configured geometric parameters. The specific inner diameter and length create a flow resistance that automatically controls the dosing rate based on the fluid pressure, eliminating the need for user adjustment while maintaining dosing precision. The system serves itself through its physical design rather than requiring user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If complex adjustment mechanisms are added, then the dosing accuracy improves, but the risk of application errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidapplication error risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the dosing control function from complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms and embeds it directly into the infusion line's geometric design. By removing regulator devices and sliding mechanisms, the source of application errors is eliminated, while dosing accuracy is maintained through the pre-configured inner diameter and length of the infusion line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 device ensures accurate and user-friendly dosing of infusion fluids over a predetermined time period, reducing the risk of application errors and manufacturing costs, while maintaining hygiene standards through a single-use, sterile design.

Implementation Method 1

the infusion line is designed such that at least a sub-section of the infusion line has a predefined inner diameter and a predefined length, such that the amount of infusion fluid accommodated in the fluid vessel is dispensed to the patient access over a predetermined time period

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through tube:

Implementation Method 2

the amount of infusion fluid accommodated in the fluid vessel is dispensed to the patient access over a predetermined time period in a manner dependent on a predefined height at which the fluid vessel is arranged above the patient access

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11938300B2Device for the dosed dispensing of an infusion fluid

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 PFM MEDICAL AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the dosed dispensing of an infusion fluid, in particular for administering an infusion for a patient, comprising a fluid vessel for accommodating the infusion fluid, and comprising an infusion line which is arranged between the fluid vessel and a patient access during the use of the device, wherein the fluid vessel and the infusion line are connected to one another, and the infusion line is designed such that at least a sub-section of the infusion line has a predefined inner diameter and a predefined length, such that the amount of infusion fluid accommodated in the fluid vessel is dispensed to the patient access over a predetermined time period in a manner dependent on a predefined height at which the fluid vessel is arranged above the patient access.