Reusable Infusion Pump Actuator with Segmented Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable and wearable infusion pump devices for controlled drug delivery are prone to malfunctions, are bulky, costly, and often require frequent re-location on the skin, posing challenges in maintaining consistent drug administration schedules for patients.
Innovation Solution
A reusable and disposable infusion pump system with a pump actuator assembly, a fluid connector featuring a luer connection mechanism, and a near-field communication RFID tag for secure attachment and fluid management, enabling precise control and monitoring of fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If portable and wearable infusion pump devices are designed for controlled drug delivery, then drug delivery control is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion pump system is divided into reusable components (housing, pump actuator, control electronics) and disposable components (reservoir, tubing set, needle assembly). This segmentation allows the heavy electronic components to be reused while only lightweight consumables are replaced, reducing overall system weight for portable use.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump actuator assembly is extracted as a separate reusable module that can be detached and reused with different disposable reservoirs. This extraction allows the heavy pumping mechanism to be shared across multiple infusion sessions, reducing the weight burden on portable devices.
2Ease of operation
If portable infusion pump devices are designed, then portability is improved, but device reliability worsens due to frequent re-location requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system incorporates dynamic flow compensation mechanisms that automatically adjust infusion parameters in response to changes in device orientation, patient movement, and positioning. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliable drug delivery regardless of frequent re-location or position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors infusion parameters, reservoir pressure, and flow rate, providing real-time feedback to compensate for disturbances caused by movement or re-positioning. This feedback loop ensures consistent drug delivery even when the device is frequently relocated.
3Reliability
If secure attachment mechanisms are implemented, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly integrates multiple functions into a single component: mechanical attachment, fluid pathway connection, air-tight sealing, and electrical contact alignment. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps while maintaining secure, reliable connections between reusable and disposable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates universal features that accommodate different reservoir sizes and configurations while maintaining the same attachment interface. This multi-functionality allows a single connector design to securely attach various disposable components without increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion pump system. The system includes a reusable housing assembly, a disposable housing assembly, a tab portion comprising a female latching feature, and an exit, the exit connected to a reservoir; and a fluid connector including a body portion including a slot, a plug portion slidably connected to the body portion, the plug portion including a fluid path and a disc, the disc configured to seat within the slot, a catch feature located on a first end of the body portion and configured to interact with the disposable housing assembly, a male latching feature located on a second end of the body portion, the male latching feature configured to interact and lock onto the female latching feature, wherein force applied to the plug portion may overcome a threshold force and unseat the disc from the slot wherein the plug portion moves with respect to the body portion.