Infusion Pump Sealing and Valve Design for Leak-Free Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable infusion devices lack a reliable mechanism to ensure safe and accurate administration of liquid medications, particularly in the presence of pressure differentials, and are prone to leaks and malfunctions due to fluctuating container quality and friction issues.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a centred membrane valve with centring aids, a sealing mechanism using hydrophobic materials, and a drive mechanism with force sensing to prevent leaks and ensure accurate dosing, while maintaining air pressure equilibrium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a threaded rod with nut is used to advance the plug in the carpoule, then the drug can be expelled continuously, but the device becomes complex and prone to leakage due to pressure differentials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threaded rod and nut mechanism from the infusion device, replacing it with a simpler plug advancement system. The plug is advanced directly by a drive mechanism without requiring threading components, thereby eliminating the complexity associated with threaded connections while maintaining continuous drug expulsion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the infusion system into separate functional modules: a replaceable carpoule unit, a drive mechanism, and a control unit. This segmentation allows the complex drive mechanism to be isolated from the carpoule, reducing the complexity within each individual component while maintaining overall system functionality for continuous drug delivery.
2Length of moving object
If the electric motor is arranged next to the carpoule to limit length, then the device becomes compact, but the plug advancement mechanism becomes more difficult to implement reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the drive mechanism within the housing structure, positioning the electric motor and plug advancement components in a nested arrangement. The motor is integrated into the housing with the plug advancement mechanism, creating a compact configuration that maintains reliability by ensuring proper mechanical coupling and alignment within the nested structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard sealing materials are used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but leaks occur due to pressure differentials between inside and outside of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite sealing structures combining multiple materials with complementary properties. The sealing system integrates elastomeric materials for flexibility with rigid components for structural support, creating a composite seal that can withstand pressure differentials while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the carpoule is frequently exchanged, then continuous drug administration is maintained, but the risk of contamination and malfunction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sealing and sterilization of the carpoule before use. The carpoule is pre-sealed with a protective cap and sterilized during manufacturing, allowing for safe exchange without exposing the internal components to contamination. The connection interface is designed with pre-positioned sealing elements that engage automatically upon attachment.
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 solution provides a safe and reliable infusion system that prevents leaks, ensures accurate dosing, and maintains air pressure balance, enhancing the safety and efficacy of medication administration.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing device or at least one sealing element (54, 54a, 54b, 54c) is made from a material which is permeable for air and impermeable for liquids or water, in particular from a hydrophobic material
Implementation Method 2
a membrane valve (35) which is arranged in the liquid path and comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the membrane valve (35) comprises a valve space (34), which is limited by walls, and a valve membrane (35)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3f
AI summary
An infusion apparatus for the administration of a medication from a reservoir with a plug moveable along a central axis in a distal direction for ejection, the apparatus comprising a housing, a drive mechanism; an electronic controller, control module, or processor (80), a graphical code generator, preferably being included in or being part of the electronic controller, control module, or processor a display means , preferably a touch-sensitive or a touch display (20). The display means is able to display code data, preferably comprising a data matrix code (21), wherein the code data is generated by the graphical code generator using input information, and wherein the input information can be selected from a group consisting of configuration data, device data, system state data, device history data, infusion history data, device alarm data and malfunction data.