Ambulatory Infusion Pump Cartridge Plunger Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ambulatory infusion pumps are limited by their size, accuracy, and operational flexibility, particularly when dealing with high concentration insulins like U-500, which require precise fluid delivery and are not capable of achieving the necessary level of precision for small dose accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The development of a medicament cartridge system with a plunger and reservoir design that allows for precise control of medicament dispensing, including a plunger with tight tolerances and a drive mechanism that enables accurate and controlled dispensing of 0.1% or less of the total filled volume with single-dose precision better than ±20% within an eight-hour dispensing period, integrated with a pump assembly and baseplate configuration for flexible deployment as either a patch or pocket pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional infusion pumps are used, then basic medicament delivery is achieved, but single-dose precision and accuracy are insufficient for high concentration insulins
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable pump assembly and a disposable cartridge assembly. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be pre-filled with high concentration insulin and designed with precision features optimized for accurate delivery, while the pump assembly provides the driving mechanism. The interface between modules ensures precise alignment and connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical plunger-seal systems with a valve-based fluid control mechanism. The cartridge includes an outlet valve that opens and closes to control medicament flow, replacing reliance on purely mechanical seal integrity. This substitution enables more precise control of small volumes and improves dosing accuracy for high concentration insulins.
2Volume of moving object
If pump size is reduced for ambulatory use, then portability is improved, but dispensing precision and control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the pump assembly from the cartridge assembly, allowing the pump to be compact for ambulatory wear while the cartridge can be larger to hold sufficient volume of high concentration insulin. The modular design enables the precision-critical cartridge to be optimized independently from the pump size constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is pre-filled with the exact amount of high concentration insulin needed, and the pump is pre-programmed with the dosing regimen. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for large buffers or excess capacity in the pump, allowing compact sizing while maintaining precision through pre-calibrated delivery parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operational flexibility is increased for different delivery modes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is designed as a universal platform that can work with different cartridge types and configurations. The standardized interface and control system allow the same pump to deliver medicament through various routes (subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular) by simply changing the cartridge or infusion set, without requiring complex reconfiguration of the pump itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Ambulatory infusion pumps, pump assemblies, cartridges, baseplates, cannulas, insertion tools, and related components as well as combinations thereof and related methods.