Interchangeable Disposable Assemblies for Ambulatory Infusion Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ambulatory infusion pumps are large, complex, and costly, lacking variability to meet individual patient needs for different medicament types, concentrations, and delivery modes, making them inefficient and unprofitable to manufacture in a wide range of configurations.
Innovation Solution
The development of interchangeable disposable assemblies with distinct characteristics that can be coupled with a reusable durable assembly, allowing for different medicament delivery configurations, such as 'patch pumps' and 'pocket pumps', and including features like baseplate identification and remote control operation to ensure proper functioning and user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single conventional infusion pump design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different patient needs and medicament types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion pump system is divided into a reusable durable assembly and interchangeable disposable assemblies. Each disposable assembly is configured for specific medicament types, concentrations, and delivery modes (e.g., patch pump or pocket pump configurations). This segmentation allows the durable assembly to remain simple while the disposable assemblies provide the necessary adaptability for different medical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The durable assembly is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of disposable assemblies. The baseplate identification system and remote control operation features enable a single durable assembly to support various medicament delivery configurations, achieving multi-functionality without increasing the complexity of the durable component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized infusion pump configurations are manufactured, then adaptability to different patient needs is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pump into durable and disposable portions, the system allows specialized disposable assemblies to be manufactured for different medicament types and delivery modes. The durable assembly remains a single standardized design that is easier to manufacture. This segmentation shifts the complexity to the disposable components, which are manufactured separately and then combined with the standardized durable assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable assemblies are designed as single-use components that can be easily manufactured and discarded after use. This approach allows for the creation of multiple specialized configurations (different medicament types, concentrations, delivery modes) without the need to manufacture multiple expensive durable pump units. The disposable nature of these assemblies makes them cost-effective to produce in various configurations.
3Ease of operation
If conventional infusion pumps are designed with fixed configurations, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide customizable medicament delivery is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed configurations to a dynamic configuration capability through the interchangeable disposable assemblies. The baseplate identification system dynamically detects which disposable assembly is attached and automatically adjusts the delivery parameters accordingly. This dynamic adaptability provides customizable medicament delivery options while keeping the durable assembly relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The baseplate identification system provides feedback to the durable assembly about which disposable assembly is attached. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically configure the appropriate delivery settings for the specific medicament type and delivery mode, providing ease of operation without requiring complex manual programming or user input.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are different disposable assemblies for the same reusable assembly. The different disposable assemblies include a first disposable assembly and a second disposable assembly. The first disposable assembly may be configured to be operatively coupled to the reusable assembly to deliver fluid, and the second disposable assembly may be configured to be operatively coupled to the reusable assembly to deliver fluid when the first disposable assembly is not operatively coupled to the reusable assembly. The first disposable assembly may have a first set of one or more characteristics, and the second disposable assembly may have a second set of one or more characteristics that is different from the first set of one or more characteristics.