Infusion Pump Flow Restrictor Layout for Accurate Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable infusion pumps fail to provide accurate and consistent flow rates for infusing fluid medicaments, and there is a need for cost-effective flow restrictors that can be manufactured with interchangeable parts of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
An infusion pump design featuring a housing with an elastic component that stores potential energy, a first tube for conducting fluid at a controlled flow rate, an air filter to remove air, and a second tube to adjust the flow rate based on its inner diameter, along with external flow restrictors and interchangeable components to achieve precise and constant fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional disposable pumps are used, then cost is reduced, but flow rate accuracy and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into separate functional modules: an elastic component for energy storage, a first tube for initial fluid conduction, an air filter for air removal, and a second tube for flow rate adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters, specifically the elastic deformation of the elastic component to store and release potential energy, and the inner diameter of the second tube to adjust flow rate. These parameter changes enable precise control of flow rate without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If flow rate control is improved, then infusion accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs passive flow rate control mechanisms where the elastic component automatically expands and contracts to drive fluid flow, and the second tube's inner diameter inherently regulates flow rate without requiring external control systems. This self-service approach achieves precise flow rate control while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by incorporating an air filter to remove air from the fluid and employ pressure differentials created by the elastic component's expansion and contraction to control fluid flow. These hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms provide precise flow rate control through simple physical principles rather than complex mechanical or electronic systems.
3Reliability
If air is not removed from fluid, then device complexity is reduced, but infusion reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air filter is positioned to remove air from the fluid before the fluid reaches the user, performing the air removal action in advance. This preliminary action ensures that only air-free fluid is infused, maintaining infusion reliability without requiring complex air management systems during the infusion process itself.
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 design enables precise control of flow rates, allowing for accurate and consistent infusion of fluid medicaments, reducing costs by providing a flexible and affordable solution for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic component configured to expand and store potential energy generated by the fluid within the infusion pump
Implementation Method 2
The air filter configured to expel air from the fluid, via one or more air vents, substantially upstream such that the fluid exiting the air filter is primed without air
Implementation Method 3
The second tube fluidically coupled to the air filter via an air filter outlet that is configured to adjust the first flow rate of the fluid conducted from the housing, via the first tube, to a second flow rate. The second flow rate is based, at least in part, on an inner diameter of the second tub
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for infusing a user. An infusion pump includes a housing with an elastic component configured to expand and store potential energy. The infusion pump includes a first tube fluidically coupled to an outlet of the housing. The first tube is configured to conduct the fluid from the housing at a first flow rate. The infusion pump includes an air filter fluidically coupled to a distal end of the first tube via an air filter inlet. The infusion pump includes a second tube fluidically coupled to the air filter via an air filter outlet. The second tube is configured to adjust the first flow rate of the fluid conducted from the housing to a second flow rate. The infusion pump further includes one or more components for distributing the fluid to a user, the one or more components fluidically coupled to an outlet of the second tube.