Modular Infusion Pump With Removable Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical infusion pump systems are often bulky, reducing portability, and require separate user interfaces that must be carried and operated separately, complicating user monitoring and management of infusion operations.

Innovation Solution

A portable medical infusion pump system comprising a pump device with a removable controller unit that includes a user interface, allowing for attachment and detachment in a fixed relationship, enabling users to monitor operations without additional modules and featuring interchangeable controller devices with different interfaces for varying medication types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the pump device is designed to house all pump components including a separate wireless module, then the functionality and monitoring capability are improved, but the device size increases and portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wireless module functionality directly into the pump device housing, eliminating the need for a separate wireless module. The pump device includes an integrated wireless communication module that can be selectively activated, allowing users to monitor pump operations remotely without carrying additional devices. This integration resolves the contradiction by combining monitoring functionality with the pump device itself rather than requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pump device into modular components including a pump housing, a removable cartridge assembly, and an integrated wireless module. The cartridge assembly can be removed and replaced independently, while the wireless module remains integrated in the pump housing. This segmentation allows for compact design while maintaining functionality, as only necessary components are included in each module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large wireless module is used for monitoring, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the portability and convenience to the user is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless module is merged with the pump device in a compact configuration, eliminating the need for users to carry separate wireless devices. The integrated module provides monitoring functionality through a compact design that fits within the pump device housing, maintaining portability while enabling remote monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless module is designed with partial functionality - it can be selectively activated only when monitoring is needed, rather than being continuously operational. This partial action approach reduces power consumption and allows for a more compact design, improving portability while maintaining monitoring capability when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If the pump device is designed with fixed interface for specific medication types, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different medication types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidmedication type flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pump device incorporates a universal cartridge interface design that can accommodate different medication cartridges through a standardized connection mechanism. The pump housing includes a removable cartridge assembly with a universal interface that maintains manufacturing precision through standardized dimensions while enabling adaptability to different medication types by allowing cartridge replacement without changing the pump device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2162168B1Modular infusion pump having two different energy sources
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 BIGFOOT BIOMEDICAL INC
  • EP2162168B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2162168B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2162168B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device and a removable controller device. When the pump device and the removable controller device are removably attached to one another, the components may provide a portable infusion pump unit to dispense medicine to a user. In particular embodiments, the removable controller device includes a user interface to readily provide information, for example, about the operation of the pump.