Infusion Pump Cartridge Pressure Venting and Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current infusion pump systems face challenges in accurately and safely delivering medicaments like insulin, as they often experience pressure buildup leading to inaccurate dosing and potential leaks, due to inadequate venting mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The infusion pump system incorporates a venting mechanism that actively or passively equilibrates the pressure within the cartridge, using a pressure sensor and a spool mechanism to manage the collapsible volume and prevent pressure buildup, ensuring accurate dosing and safety through controlled venting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the cartridge is sealed to maintain pressure for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but pressure buildup causes harmful effects such as leaks and dosing inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidpressure buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge interior volume is divided into two separate volumes: a first interior volume containing the collapsible reservoir and a second interior volume containing the pressure sensor. This segmentation allows the pressure sensor to measure pressure in isolation without being affected by fluid dynamics in the reservoir, enabling accurate pressure measurements while preventing harmful pressure buildup through controlled venting of the second volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A selectively openable partition wall with a pressure sensor acts as an intermediary between the two interior volumes. The partition can be selectively opened to equalize pressure between volumes or closed to isolate the pressure sensor for accurate measurement, serving as a mediator that enables both precise measurement and pressure control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a venting mechanism is added to prevent pressure buildup, then safety and dosing accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and dosing accuracyVSAvoidventing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The venting mechanism is merged with the partition wall structure. The partition wall itself serves as both a structural divider and a controllable venting mechanism through its selective openability. This integration eliminates the need for separate venting components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall serves multiple functions: it structurally divides the cartridge interior volume, isolates the pressure sensor for accurate measurement, and acts as a controllable venting mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the reservoir is made collapsible to reduce volume, then the cartridge size is reduced, but pressure control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge volumeVSAvoidpressure control

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is segmented into two independent interior volumes with the collapsible reservoir in the first volume and the pressure sensor in the second volume. This segmentation allows the collapsible reservoir to be compressed to reduce overall cartridge volume while the pressure sensor independently monitors pressure in the second volume, enabling effective pressure control despite the collapsible design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution enhances the accuracy and safety of medicament delivery by maintaining precise pressure control, preventing leaks, and allowing for reliable measurement of the dispensed volume, thereby improving patient compliance and treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

pressure measurements in the cartridge are made by a pressure sensor for greater measurement and calculation accuracy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

a spool slidingly disposed in the bore having a collapsible volume that is positionable to overlap the reservoir inlet port and dispense port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The system can be actively or passively vented. A interior volume of the system can be actively vented at times when a drive mechanism of the system is inactive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization:

Data Source

PatentUS9555186B2Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 TANDEM DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods of venting a cartridge of an infusion pump system are disclosed. The system can be actively vented. A interior volume of the system can be actively vented at times when a drive mechanism of the system is inactive. Such an active venting system can include a valve that seals a volume of the cartridge that can be vented from the ambient when pressure measurements in the cartridge are made by a pressure sensor for greater measurement and calculation accuracy.