Mechanical Infusion Pump Gravity Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion pumps are expensive, fragile, and require electricity, making them unsuitable for critical care in developing regions and emergency situations, while manual drip counting is inaccurate and risky, particularly during obstetric procedures.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical, low-cost, disposable infusion pump device using a syringe with a biasing element and one-way valves to meter medication, allowing for controlled dispensation of medication over time without electricity, featuring a filling plunger to fill the syringe and a biasing element to dispense medication, calibrated for precise dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional infusion pumps are used, then medication can be delivered with precise control, but the device is expensive, fragile, and requires electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a syringe component for medication storage and delivery, a biasing element for providing force, a metering element for controlling flow rate, and connection components. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system compared to conventional integrated pumps
Solution Approach 2:
The entire infusion device is designed as a disposable single-use unit that can be discarded after one patient use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, reusable pumps with motors and electronics. The syringe, biasing element, and metering components are integrated into a low-cost disposable assembly
2Device complexity
If manual drip counting is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the accuracy and reliability of medication delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element automatically provides the force needed to push medication through the metering element without requiring manual operation or external power. The metering element passively controls the flow rate based on its physical dimensions and the applied force, eliminating the need for electronic controls or user intervention during infusion
Solution Approach 2:
The metering element is designed with specific dimensional parameters (bore size, length, angle) that are calibrated to deliver precise medication volumes at controlled rates. By carefully selecting and adjusting these physical parameters, the device achieves accurate medication delivery comparable to electronic pumps
3Use of energy by moving object
If a mechanical biasing element is used to dispense medication, then electricity is not required, but the control precision over medication flow rate becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The metering element acts as an intermediary between the biasing element and the medication flow. It translates the force from the biasing element into a controlled flow rate through its restricted passage, providing precise flow control without requiring electronic sensors or actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element is pre-loaded with a specific weight or spring constant that corresponds to the desired infusion rate. The metering element is pre-calibrated with specific dimensional parameters that match the biasing force, so that when assembled, the combination automatically delivers the correct flow rate without requiring adjustment during use
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 device provides a reliable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective solution for controlled medication delivery in critical care and emergency situations, ensuring accurate dosing and reducing the risk of manual errors, particularly during birthing and critical care procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element to exert a biasing force on the plunger of the syringe in a second, syringe-discharging direction when the syringe is filled and the syringe plunger is released
Implementation Method 2
One-way valves are provided between the IV medication reservoir and the syringe and between syringe and the patient's IV to permit the drawing of medication from the IV reservoir into the syringe and dispensing of the medication to the patient's IV
Implementation Method 3
The syringe plunger includes a biasing weight-receiving feature (e.g. a platform) thereon on which one or more biasing weights are received to exert a bias or force by gravity on the syringe plunger in a second syringe-discharging direction
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical infusion pump device for injecting medication into a patient's IV, includes an IV reservoir and a syringe communicated to the IV reservoir and having a syringe plunger connected to a filling plunger that is moved with the syringe plunger in a first syringe-filling direction to fill the syringe with fluid medication. Biasing weight(s) is/are provided on the filling plunger for exerting bias or force from gravity on the filling plunger and the syringe plunger in a second syringe-discharging direction to dispense medication from the syringe into the patient's IV when the filling plunger is released. Only a calibrated amount of medicine can be discharged to the patent's IV over time as determined by calibration of the biasing weights and the metering element located between the syringe and the patient's IV for a given viscosity of the medication.