Mechanical Pump System for Reliable Insulin Bolus Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medicament infusion devices are costly, prone to component failures requiring full device replacement, complex, power-intensive, and may not deliver a full dose of medication reliably.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical pump system with a direct drive piston system and lost motion valve system, allowing incremental filling and automatic delivery of a full dose of medicament, featuring a rack and gear or cam and follower mechanism, and an interlock to ensure a full dose is delivered before allowing fluid communication to the dosing conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic-mechanical pump mechanisms with sensors and battery-powered electronics are used, then medicament can be delivered on demand, but device cost, complexity, and power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic-mechanical pump mechanisms with a purely mechanical pump system that uses a simple plunger, spring, and valve arrangement. The mechanical pump delivers medicament through predetermined filling and dosing strokes without requiring electronics, sensors, or battery power, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining on-demand delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable mechanical pump system where the entire pump mechanism is designed as a single-use component. After delivering the prescribed dose, the entire pump is discarded, eliminating the need for expensive repairs, component replacements, or complex maintenance of electronic systems. This approach reduces overall device cost and complexity
2Measurement precision
If full electronic control systems with pumps and sensors are implemented, then precise dosing can be achieved, but the physical size and weight of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy electronic control systems with a lightweight mechanical pump system consisting of a plunger, spring, and simple valve mechanism. The mechanical components deliver precise doses through predetermined stroke volumes without requiring batteries, motors, or electronic sensors, thereby achieving dosing precision with minimal weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the medicament delivery system into separate functional components: a reservoir for medicament storage, a mechanical pump for dose delivery, and a simple valve system for flow control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the pump delivering precise doses through fixed geometric volumes rather than complex electronic measurement systems
3Reliability
If mechanical pump systems with direct drive piston and lost motion valve are used, then full dose delivery is ensured, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a lost motion valve mechanism that requires the plunger to be pushed beyond the point where the piston reaches the end of its stroke. This preliminary over-travel action ensures that the valve switches to the dosing position and prevents partial dose delivery, guaranteeing full dose reliability through a simple mechanical over-travel requirement rather than complex electronic control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring as an intermediary element between the plunger and piston. The spring absorbs the over-travel motion and ensures positive engagement of the lost motion valve mechanism. This simple spring intermediary provides reliable full dose delivery without requiring complex electronic sensors or control systems
Data Source
AI summary
A manually actuated pump, such as a bolus delivery circuit of an insulin pump, combines a direct drive piston system with a lost motion valve system, to deliver reliably a full bolus dose, while precluding partial dosing or inadvertent overdosing conditions. The pump may also include a signaling device to indicate when a full bolus dose is delivered.