Portable Infusion Pump Cap Device and Drive System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion pump systems face challenges in portability, safety, and efficiency due to large device size, sealed medicine reservoirs requiring penetration, and disposability issues, which affect user safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A medical infusion pump system with a cap device that secures a medicine cartridge, pierces a sealed end, primes the plunger, includes a flow sensor, and locks the cartridge for disposal, combined with a drive system using a spring and electrically powered actuator for precise and safe medicine dispensation, allowing for portable and wearable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the device size is reduced to improve portability, then the pump components must be miniaturized, but this increases manufacturing complexity and reliability risks
Solution Approach 1:
The cap device merges multiple functions into a single component: it seals the medicine cartridge, pierces the sealed end to provide flow path, primes the plunger, and locks the cartridge in the pump housing. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed, enabling miniaturization while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap device is designed as a multi-functional element that performs sealing, piercing, priming, and locking operations. This multi-functionality allows the pump to maintain comprehensive capabilities in a reduced size, avoiding the need for multiple separate components.
2Reliability
If a sealed reservoir is used to protect medicine, then medicine safety is improved, but penetration is required to access the medicine which adds operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed end of the medicine cartridge is pre-configured with a pierceable structure. The cap device, when engaged with the pump housing, automatically performs the piercing action as part of the initialization sequence. This preliminary setup allows the sealed protection to be maintained until needed, at which point the piercing is automatically accomplished without requiring separate manual intervention.
3Reliability
If the pump device is designed for single use to ensure safety, then user safety is improved, but disposability increases cost and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into disposable and reusable components. The pump housing with drive system can be reused, while the medicine cartridge with cap device is designed as a disposable unit. This segmentation allows the critical safety functions to be ensured through single-use cartridges while reducing overall waste by reusing the expensive pump housing and electronics.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a spring device is used to provide dispensing energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but the reset mechanism requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The reset mechanism merges the electrical actuator function with the spring reset function. The electrical actuator provides the initial force to compress the spring and reset the ratchet mechanism, after which the spring autonomously provides the dispensing force. This combination eliminates the need for separate continuous power sources during dispensing, improving energy efficiency while using the actuator only for initialization.
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 enables safe, accurate, and energy-efficient medicine dispensation, promoting user safety and convenience through portability and easy operation, with the ability to prevent improper use and ensure disposal after exhaustion.
Implementation Method 1
The drive system may employ a spring device or the like to provide the dispensing drive energy to a ratchet mechanism
Implementation Method 2
The drive system may employ a spring device or the like to provide the dispensing drive energy to a ratchet mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a cap device (130) that mates with a pump housing (110) to retain a medicine cartridge (120) therein. In addition to retaining the medicine cartridge in the pump housing, the cap device may perform a number of preparatory functions or safety functions. In addition or in the alternative, some embodiments of the pump device may include a drive system that advances a piston rod to dispense medicine to the patient in a safe and energy efficient manner.