Implantable Infusion Pump Fill Level Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable infusion pumps lack a mechanism to monitor catheter patency post-implantation, which can lead to critical interruptions in drug administration if the catheter becomes occluded or kinked, posing a risk to patient safety.
Innovation Solution
An implantable unit with a housing forming a chamber connected to the infusion pump and catheter, featuring switches that trigger an audible alarm when pressure exceeds or falls below predetermined values, indicating occlusion or blockage, utilizing a voltage source and acoustic signal generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an implantable infusion pump is used without a catheter monitoring device, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of drug delivery is compromised due to inability to detect catheter occlusions
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit is nested within the implantable infusion pump housing, with the chamber, membrane, and switches all contained within the existing pump structure. This integration allows catheter monitoring functionality to be added without significantly increasing overall device complexity or requiring separate external monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic pressure sensors with a simple mechanical membrane-switch mechanism. The membrane deflects in response to pressure changes and directly actuates electrical switches, eliminating the need for complex sensor electronics while maintaining reliable occlusion detection capability.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors are arranged in the infusion pump to detect non-flow, then catheter monitoring capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Complex electronic pressure sensors are replaced with a simple mechanical membrane that deflects under pressure to close electrical switches. This mechanical approach is much easier to manufacture and integrate than electronic sensors, while providing equivalent catheter patency monitoring functionality through straightforward mechanical-to-electrical transduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components (membrane, switches) rather than expensive electronic sensors. These components are easy to manufacture and replace if needed, reducing overall manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining reliable monitoring capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fill level sensor is added to monitor catheter occlusion, then patient safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Electronic fill level sensors and pressure transducers are replaced with a simple mechanical membrane-switch system. The membrane mechanically responds to pressure changes from catheter occlusion and directly actuates electrical switches, providing patient safety monitoring without the complexity of electronic sensing electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane automatically responds to pressure changes from catheter occlusion without requiring external power or control electronics. The system self-actuates the warning signal through the mechanical deflection of the membrane closing the circuit, providing autonomous patient safety monitoring.
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
Ensures uninterrupted drug delivery by alerting healthcare providers to catheter occlusions or blockages, preventing fatal interruptions in medication administration.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane (22) which acts on a switch (24) when a predetermined pressure is exceeded
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Implantable unit for monitoring the patency of the catheter of an implanted infusion pump, characterized by a housing (12) forming a chamber (10), a chamber inlet (16) communicating with the infusion pump, a chamber outlet (18) communicating with the catheter (20), a voltage source (26), a first switch (24) responding to a pressure in the chamber exceeding a predetermined first value, and an acoustic signal generator (28) responding when the switch is closed.