Dynamic-Range Infusion Pump Motor for Wide Flow and Fluid Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infusion systems face challenges in efficiently controlling fluid flow rates, pressures, and temperatures, particularly in rapid infusion scenarios, and often introduce air bubbles or pose risks of electrical shock due to capacitive coupling, while also being cumbersome and non-sterile.
Innovation Solution
A compact infusion system with a disposable heat exchange cartridge and pump device that uses a digital signal processing controller to dynamically control fluid flow rates and pressures, incorporates a heat exchanger with a turbulent flow path for efficient temperature regulation, and includes air-trap mechanisms to prevent air introduction, all while minimizing capacitive coupling risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heated fluid system is used to warm the infusion fluid, then the fluid can be heated efficiently, but the system becomes cumbersome, requires frequent cleaning, and may pollute the clinical environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a separate heated fluid system and integrates it directly into the infusion pump housing. The heating element is now contained within the pump housing, eliminating the need for external heated fluid systems, conduits through water, and frequent cleaning requirements while maintaining efficient fluid warming capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heating element directly with the pump housing structure, combining the warming function with the infusion delivery system. This integration eliminates the separate heated fluid system and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective fluid temperature control
2Power
If a large mass heating system is used, then heating capacity is sufficient, but significant power is required and time to achieve temperature is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating locally at the point of fluid delivery within the pump housing rather than heating a large mass of fluid elsewhere. The heating element is positioned to directly warm the infusion fluid as it is being pumped, reducing the thermal mass that needs to be heated and enabling faster temperature achievement with appropriate heating power
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the fluid as it passes through the heating element in the pump housing, before the fluid is delivered to the patient. This ensures the fluid is pre-warmed to the appropriate temperature without requiring prolonged heating of large fluid volumes
3Extent of automation
If capacitive coupling is used in the heating system circuitry, then heating control is achieved, but current leakage may occur posing electric shock risk to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary isolation barrier between the capacitive coupling heating control circuitry and the fluid path. This isolation prevents direct electrical contact with the fluid while still allowing capacitive coupling to function for heating control, thereby eliminating the electric shock risk to the patient while maintaining automated heating control capability
4Productivity
If rapid heating is applied to bulk fluid, then heating speed is increased, but the fluid may be exposed to too intense heat causing hemolysis or degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating locally and directly to the infusion fluid at the point of delivery rather than heating bulk fluid. This localized heating approach enables rapid temperature increase without exposing the fluid to intense heat that would cause hemolysis or degradation, as the heating is concentrated precisely where needed in small fluid volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies heating selectively and partially to only the portion of fluid being delivered at that moment, rather than heating the entire bulk fluid volume. This partial heating action achieves rapid warming of the actual infusion fluid without the risks associated with heating large volumes to high temperatures
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 provides precise control over fluid flow and temperature, reduces the risk of air embolisms, and ensures safe, efficient, and sterile operation, capable of handling rapid infusion rates and pressures with improved heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (810) disposed within the pump housing (250) and in communication with a heat exchanger (101) such that the heat exchanger is heated by the heating element
Implementation Method 2
a cooling element (850) disposed within the pump housing (250) and in communication with the heat exchanger (101) such that the heat exchanger is cooled by the cooling element
Implementation Method 3
incorporates a heat exchanger with a turbulent flow path for efficient temperature regulation
Data Source
AI summary
A pump system selectably and dynamically controls the flow rate of a fluid being delivered to a patient's body over a wide range of flow rates. The pump system includes an infusion tubing, a pumping mechanism, a motor drive assembly in mechanical communication with the pumping mechanism, a user input control, and an electronic controller in electrical communication with and at least partially controlling the motor drive assembly. The electronic controller include a digital signal processing controller in electrical communication with the motor drive assembly that is configured to receive a signal from the user input control and to cause power to be supplied to the motor drive assembly in response at least partially to the signal from the user input control. The pump system may selectably deliver fluid at rates from about 1 milliliter per hour to at least about 3000 milliliters per minute.