Infusion Pump Backup Power Switching for Uninterrupted Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion pump assemblies face operational failures due to power supply failures, which go unnoticed by users, potentially disrupting critical fluid administration processes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a redundant power system with a primary battery and a super capacitor backup, along with circuit partitioning and an escalating alarm sequence to alert users of power failures, ensuring continuous operation and notification of issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single power supply is used in the infusion pump assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of continuous operation deteriorates when power failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The backup power supply is pre-charged during normal operation when the primary power supply is functional. This preliminary charging action ensures that when power failure occurs, the backup power supply can immediately take over without interruption to the infusion pump operation, resolving the contradiction by preparing the redundancy system in advance rather than activating it during failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different power supply configurations to different operational states: the primary power supply handles normal operation, while the backup power supply handles failure conditions. This local differentiation of power supply quality and function allows the system to maintain high reliability during critical operations while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through context-specific power management.
2Loss of information
If power supply failure occurs, then the infusion pump assembly stops operating, but the user remains unaware of the failure
Solution Approach 1:
The processing logic continuously monitors the operational status of the infusion pump assembly and provides feedback to the user through display indicators and audible alarms. When power supply failure occurs, the system detects the failure condition and immediately communicates this information to the user, preventing information loss while maintaining system reliability through continuous monitoring and user notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing logic acts as an intermediary between the power supply system and the user. It translates the physical state of the power supply (functional or failed) into user-comprehensible information through visual and auditory signals, bridging the gap between system status and user awareness without compromising the reliability of fluid administration.
3Reliability
If a backup power supply is added to ensure continuous operation, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and energy management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system into distinct primary and backup components with separate circuit paths. This segmentation allows independent management of each power supply source, simplifying the control logic for switching between them. The circuit partitioning components divide the electrical circuits into first and second portions, enabling reliable redundancy while managing complexity through modular organization of power management functions.
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 redundant power system ensures uninterrupted fluid administration and timely user notification of power failures, enhancing the reliability and safety of infusion pump operations.
Implementation Method 1
A super capacitor assembly is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic in the event that the first battery fails to provide the primary electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motor assembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly. A primary power supply is configured to provide primary electrical energy to at least a portion of the processing logic. A backup power supply is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic in the event that the primary power supply fails to provide the primary electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic.