Micropump Rotor Displacement Occlusion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micropumps for medical and non-medical applications face challenges in accurately and reliably detecting occlusions or leakages, which can be caused by air bubbles or back-pressure, often requiring separate and complex pressure sensors that are costly and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A micropump design featuring a rotor with inter-engaging cam elements and seals that allow for angular and axial displacement, enabling the detection of occlusions or leakages through a method involving initial measurement and comparison of rotor displacement profiles, and a back-and-forth rotor movement to dislodge gas bubbles, simplifying the system and eliminating the need for separate sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pressure sensors are installed to detect occlusion or leakage, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection function with the existing rotor and seal components. The rotor displacement itself serves as the detection mechanism - when occlusion or leakage occurs, the rotor displacement profile changes, providing detection capability without adding separate sensors. This merges the pumping function and detection function into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system uses its own operational characteristics (rotor displacement) to detect abnormalities. By monitoring changes in the rotor displacement profile during normal operation, the system can self-diagnose occlusion or leakage conditions without external sensing equipment, making the system self-monitoring and self-service capable.
2Reliability
If separate pressure sensors are installed to detect occlusion or leakage, then detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection functionality is merged into the existing rotor and seal assembly that must already be manufactured for pump operation. No additional sensors or separate detection components are manufactured, eliminating the cost of separate pressure sensors while maintaining detection capability through monitoring of rotor displacement characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables a cost-effective disposable micropump system by eliminating expensive electronic sensors. The detection is achieved through simple mechanical displacement measurement of the rotor, which can be implemented with minimal additional cost, making the entire pump system economical for single-use applications.
3Measurement precision
If separate pressure sensors are used, then detection accuracy may be improved, but the system becomes more prone to errors and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors its own operational state through rotor displacement measurement, eliminating the need for separate sensors that can fail independently. The rotor displacement profile provides direct information about pump performance and abnormalities, reducing the risk of undetected sensor failures and improving overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors rotor displacement during operation and compares it against expected profiles to detect anomalies. This feedback mechanism allows real-time detection of occlusion or leakage conditions, providing accurate measurement while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring and comparison rather than relying on separate sensing components.
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 cost-effective, reliable, and accurate means to detect occlusions or leakages, ensuring safe and precise liquid delivery, while also allowing for the removal of gas bubbles, thus enhancing the pump's operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The rotational and axial movement of the rotor relative to the housing creates a pumping action while opening and closing valves to draw liquid into the pump and to expel liquid from the pump
Implementation Method 2
A curve on the rotor cooperating with a complementary cam on the housing causes the axial displacement of the rotor when one of the valves is open
Data Source
Figure 1a~1e
Figure 2~8
Figure 4a~4f
AI summary
A pump comprising a housing comprising a rotor chamber, inlet and outlet channels opening into the rotor chamber, and inlet and outlet seals mounted on a surface of the chamber, and a rotor rotatably and axially slidably received in the chamber and comprising a first axial extension comprising a liquid supply channel and a second axial extension comprising a liquid supply channel, the first and second axial extensions having different diameters. The inlet and outlet seals engage a surface of the rotor, whereby the liquid supply channel of each axial extension in conjunction with a corresponding seal forms a valve that opens and closes as a function of the angular and axial displacement of the rotor. At least one of the inlet and outlet channels opens transversely into the rotor chamber and at least one of the inlet and outlet seals forms a closed circuit circumscribing said at least one of the inlet and outlet channels.