Infusion Pump Memory Data Transfer via Reusable Controller

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infusion pump systems lack an efficient method for storing and managing usage data, energy requirements, and battery life, which complicates medicine dispensation and compliance with treatment protocols.

Innovation Solution

A wearable infusion pump system with a reusable controller and disposable pump device that includes a memory device for storing event logs, energy profiles, and battery life data, allowing for secure and portable medicine dispensation while enabling easy data transfer and correction of energy profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If usage data is stored in the pump device itself, then data portability and accessibility are improved, but data management complexity and energy profile correction difficulties increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage data retentionVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controller device as an intermediary between the pump device and external systems. The controller receives usage data from the pump's memory device, manages the data, and can correct energy profiles. This intermediary approach maintains data portability while reducing the complexity burden on the pump device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the controller device is reusable and pump devices are disconnected and reconnected, then system flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but data transfer reliability and energy profile accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller reusabilityVSAvoiddata transfer reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the controller device receives usage data from the pump device after disconnection and reconnection events. The controller can detect discrepancies in energy profiles and initiate correction procedures, ensuring data integrity is maintained despite the flexible connect/disconnect operation cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If energy requirement profiles are stored in the pump device memory, then energy management precision is improved, but memory capacity requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy requirement accuracyVSAvoidmemory storage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the energy requirement profile data from the pump device memory and stores it in the controller device's memory. This extraction reduces the memory capacity requirements of the disposable pump device while maintaining precise energy management capabilities through the reusable controller that has sufficient storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enhances user safety and compliance by allowing for retrospective analysis of medicine delivery, automatic correction of energy profiles, and prevention of depleted battery use, while being portable and concealable.

Implementation Method 1

a drive system to dispense medicine from the pump device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy to mechanical energy conversion:

Implementation Method 2

The pump device includes a memory device that stores an event log of pump system operations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectData storage in memory device:

Implementation Method 3

The controller device receives the energy requirement profile from the memory device and initiates a medicine dispensing operation by supplying a pattern of voltage pulses from the energy storage source to the drive system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage pulse activation:

Implementation Method 4

The pump device may also include a battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP2198380B1Data storage for an infusion pump system
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 BIGFOOT BIOMEDICAL INC
  • EP2198380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2198380B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2198380B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A pump system can include a pump device and a controller device removably attachable to the pump device. The controller device can be reusable, and one or more pump devices can be disconnected and reconnected to the controller device. As such, some pump usage data can be conveniently stored in the pump device itself. In such circumstances, the controller device can receive data related to the pump's history or other usage when the pump device is attached to the controller.