Infusion Pump Occlusion Mechanism With Multi-Directional Tolerance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion pumps require high occlusion forces to operate, which limits their operational life and battery life, especially in ambulatory pumps, necessitating a reduction in occlusion force to enhance portability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The infusion pump employs multi-directional tolerance control through guiding features and force concentrators to minimize the occlusion force required, utilizing guide rails, slots, and elastomeric force concentrators to align and occlude the pumping conduit efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high occlusion force is used to occlude the pumping conduit, then reliable occlusion is achieved, but battery life is reduced and operational life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The opposing plate incorporates localized force concentrators at specific positions to concentrate occlusion force precisely where needed on the pumping conduit. This localized force application achieves reliable occlusion while minimizing the total occlusion force required from the motor, thereby extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multi-directional tolerance control by incorporating guide rails and guide slots that constrain pump finger movement in multiple directions. This dimensional control ensures proper alignment and force transmission, achieving reliable occlusion with reduced force requirements.
2Productivity
If high occlusion force is applied, then effective pumping is achieved, but component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
Force concentrators are strategically positioned on the opposing plate to concentrate pumping action at specific localized points on the pumping conduit. This localized interaction maintains effective pumping while minimizing contact area and reducing overall component wear.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide rails and guide slots provide multi-directional constraint that ensures pump fingers engage the pumping conduit at optimal positions and angles. This dimensional control optimizes force transmission efficiency, achieving effective pumping with reduced force requirements and minimized wear.
3Device complexity
If simple occlusion mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but occlusion force control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: pump fingers for force application, guide rails for lateral constraint, guide slots for positional control, and force concentrators for force focusing. This segmentation achieves precise occlusion force control through simple, modular elements that are easy to manufacture and assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide rails and guide slots act as intermediary elements between the pump fingers and the pumping conduit. These intermediaries provide multi-directional tolerance control and alignment, enabling precise occlusion force control without requiring high-precision manufacturing of the primary occlusion components.
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
This approach reduces the occlusion force by up to 50%, extending battery life, reducing wear on components, improving reliability, and enhancing the operational life of the infusion pump.
Implementation Method 1
The force concentrator is made of an elastomeric material and has a concentration surface that contacts and occludes the pumping conduit
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion pumping mechanism includes a motor, a plurality of pump fingers and an opposing plate. Each finger of the pump fingers includes a body portion and a head portion. The head portion includes a tip that is configured to contact and occlude a tube installed in the pumping mechanism. The opposing plate includes an anvil with a plurality of force concentrators. A force concentrator of the plurality of force concentrators corresponds to a respective pump finger of the plurality of pump fingers. Additionally, the force concentrator includes a concentration surface configured to contact and occlude the tube. The force concentrator is aligned with a tip of the respective pump finger such that as the finger is directed towards the tube and contacts the tube, both the tip and the force concentrator provide pressure to opposite sides of the tube and at least partially occlude the tube.