Infusion Pump Fill Adapter System for Adjustable Fluid Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable infusion devices for therapeutic fluids face challenges such as malfunction rates, size, weight, and cost issues, and require frequent re-location for effective drug delivery, particularly for medications like insulin that require precise and continuous administration.
Innovation Solution
A fill adapter system for an infusion pump assembly that includes a reusable fill adapter base with a volume control mechanism and a pump mechanism to transfer fluid from a vial to the pump's reservoir, featuring a turn dial and push plate for adjusting fill volume, along with a vial adapter assembly with needles for fluid transfer and a hydrophobic filter for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a wearable infusion device is designed to be portable and electronically controlled, then automated drug delivery is achieved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion system is divided into separate components: a reusable pump unit and a disposable cartridge containing the reservoir and control electronics. This segmentation allows the heavy electronic components to be isolated in a small disposable unit that can be easily replaced, reducing the weight burden on the wearable device while maintaining automated delivery capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable cartridge that contains the reservoir, control electronics, and associated components. This disposable unit is replaced periodically, eliminating the need for recharging or complex maintenance of the pump mechanism. The disposable nature allows for optimized design of each component without worrying about long-term durability, reducing overall system weight.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the reservoir fill volume is increased to reduce refilling frequency, then duration of action is improved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a disposable cartridge that is discarded after a single use cycle. This allows the reservoir to be optimally sized for extended duration without concern for reusability. The cartridge is replaced rather than refilled, maintaining a consistent small form factor while achieving extended operational duration through multiple cartridge changes rather than increasing individual reservoir size.
3Measurement precision
If a pump mechanism is added to enable controlled fluid delivery, then precision of delivery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mechanism is integrated into the disposable cartridge rather than being a separate complex component. This segmentation allows the pump to be a simple, reliable mechanism optimized for single-use, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise delivery control during the infusion period.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump mechanism is designed as part of the disposable cartridge, allowing it to be a simple, cost-effective component optimized for single-use precision. There is no need for complex controls, sensors, or adjustment mechanisms that would be required in a reusable system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving precise delivery.
4Reliability
If safety features such as hydrophobic filters are added to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic filter is integrated directly into the septum structure of the reservoir. This merging of the filter function with the existing septum component adds contamination prevention capability without requiring a separate filter assembly, thereby improving reliability while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic filter is incorporated as part of the disposable cartridge, allowing it to be a simple, single-use safety feature. The filter provides reliable contamination prevention during the infusion period and is discarded with the cartridge, eliminating the need for complex maintenance or replacement procedures.
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 efficient, precise, and continuous delivery of therapeutic fluids, reducing malfunction rates and improving user convenience by allowing for adjustable fill volumes and safe transfer of fluids, while being designed for reduced size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a pump mechanism configured to pump air into a fluid vial
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobic filter for safety
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A fill adapter system (2700) for an infusion pump assembly. The system includes a reusable fill adapter base, the base including a volume control mechanism (2702) to adjust an available fill volume of a reservoir of the infusion pump assembly and a pomp mechanism (2718) configured to pump air into a fluid vial. The system also includes a vial adapter assembly including a first needle configured to penetrate a septum of the fluid vial for fluidly coupling the pump mechanism to the fluid vial and a second needle having a first end configured to penetrate the septum of the fluid vial and a second end configured to penetrate a septum of the reservoir of the infusion pump assembly to allow transfer of fluid from the fluid vial to the reservoir of the infusion pump assembly in response to air being pumped into the fluid vial and a needle carriage adapted to carry the first needle and the second needle, wherein the needle carriage slidably attached to the interior of the vial adapter assembly, wherein the needle carriage adapted to slide from a vial end of the vial adapter to a receptacle end of the vial adapter.