Ambulatory Infusion Pump Seal Assemblies for Precise Medicament Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infusion pumps are large, complex, and costly, with a need for improved accuracy and user convenience, particularly in ambulatory settings.
Innovation Solution
The development of ambulatory infusion pumps with a durable assembly and disposable assembly, featuring a trocar seal assembly and fill plug seal assembly to control medicament flow, along with a baseplate identification system to differentiate disposable assemblies, ensuring appropriate operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional infusion pumps are used, then medicament delivery function is provided, but device size is large and complexity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion pump system is divided into two separate assemblies: a durable assembly containing the motor, controller, and battery, and a disposable assembly containing the reservoir, baseplate, and seal assemblies. This segmentation allows the disposable assembly to be compact and simple while the durable assembly handles complex functions, resolving the contradiction between small size and functional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable assembly that includes the reservoir, baseplate, and seal components designed for single use. This disposable configuration eliminates the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance systems in the pump itself, enabling a smaller, simpler overall device design while maintaining reliable medicament delivery functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional infusion pumps are used, then medicament delivery is achieved, but manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into durable and disposable assemblies, the patent enables each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes. The disposable assembly can be manufactured with cost-effective materials and processes, while the durable assembly is manufactured once and reused, reducing overall manufacturing costs without compromising delivery accuracy through the resilient seal assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes elastomeric materials with specific durometer ranges (e.g., 30-70 durometer for trocar seal, 40-80 durometer for fill plug seal) to achieve reliable sealing and medicament delivery. These parameter specifications enable consistent manufacturing quality at lower costs while ensuring accurate and reliable medicament administration.
3Device complexity
If simple seal assemblies are used, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resilient elastomeric seal assemblies that act as intermediaries between the rigid trocar and fill plug components and the reservoir outlet. These seal assemblies provide reliable sealing through their elastic properties, maintaining integrity while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations, thus achieving high reliability with relatively simple structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies particular durometer ranges for the elastomeric seal materials (30-70 for trocar seal, 40-80 for fill plug seal) to optimize the balance between sealing reliability and structural simplicity. These parameter selections ensure the seals are sufficiently compliant to maintain integrity while remaining simple in design and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
Ambulatory infusion pumps, medicament reservoirs, and medicament sealing assemblies, including a variety of trocar seal assemblies and fill plug seal assemblies, plus related components, as well as component combinations and related methods.