Magnetic Contactless Key for Implantable Pump Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical pumps and ports face challenges in preventing accidental injection of medicaments during refill processes and unauthorized access, which can lead to overdose or misuse, especially with medications having abuse potential.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a contactless key system that uses magnetic elements to selectively open and close access valves in implantable medical pumps and ports, ensuring safe and controlled access to medicament reservoirs, with features like magnetic sensing and feedback mechanisms for proper alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a transcutaneous catheter or access port is used to provide access to the cerebrospinal fluid for medicament administration, then access to the fluid pathway is enabled, but the risk of infection and catheter dislodgment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access port is extracted from the external environment and integrated into the implanted pump system, eliminating the need for repeated transcutaneous catheter insertion. The port remains sealed within the implantable device, removing it from sources of external contamination and mechanical disruption while maintaining access capability through controlled entry points.
Solution Approach 2:
The access port is nested within the implanted pump housing, creating a protected internal environment. The port channel is positioned within the pump body, shielding it from external contaminants and mechanical forces that could cause dislodgment, while still allowing controlled access to the cerebrospinal fluid pathway.
2Productivity
If the access valve is opened during refill to allow medicament flow, then refill operation is enabled, but the risk of accidental injection into wrong port or patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access valve acts as an intermediary control mechanism between the refill operation and the patient. It provides a controlled transition state where medicament flow is permitted only when proper alignment and authorization are confirmed, preventing direct uncontrolled access to the patient while enabling necessary refill operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical alignment verification system replaces complex mechanical interlocks with a simpler magnetic field-based verification mechanism. The magnetic key and sensor system provides authorization for valve opening without requiring complex mechanical alignment features, reducing the risk of accidental activation while maintaining operational capability.
3Reliability
If magnetic elements are added to enable contactless key operation, then safety and controlled access are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic elements serve multiple functions: they provide the contactless authorization key mechanism, enable alignment verification between the refill device and pump, and control the access valve operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving enhanced safety and controlled access.
4Measurement precision
If alignment verification mechanisms are implemented, then proper positioning during refill is ensured, but the operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical alignment verification mechanisms are replaced with a magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetic sensor can detect the presence and position of the magnetic key without requiring precise mechanical engagement, significantly reducing the time needed for alignment verification while maintaining high measurement precision through magnetic field sensing capabilities.
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
This solution enhances safety by preventing accidental medicament injection and unauthorized access, providing controlled access to medicament reservoirs and improving the alignment process during refills, thus reducing the risk of overdose and misuse.
Implementation Method 1
at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port
Implementation Method 2
The implantable medical pump can include a magnetic sensing element configured to sense the magnetic field imparted by the at least one contactless key
Implementation Method 3
one or more magnetic elements incorporated into a access template can be configured to magnetically align the access template with an implanted medicament pump or port beneath the patient's skin
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical pump system configured to selectively permit access to a medicament reservoir by way of at least one contactless key, including an implantable medical pump having an medicament reservoir fluidly couple to an access port via a conduit including an access valve, and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port.