Modular Infusion Pump Hub Position Detection for Compact Scalability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infusion pump systems are inflexible, requiring multiple pumps to be spread around a patient's bed or using multi-channel pumps that limit compatibility with different types of infusion pumps, leading to inefficiencies and space constraints.

Innovation Solution

A modular medical device hub that supports multiple types of infusion pumps, allowing them to be stacked and operated independently, with a connectivity apparatus that determines and displays their positions within the hub using a point-to-point communication protocol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual infusion pumps are used to deliver different fluids, then treatment versatility is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual infusion pumps into a single multi-channel pump system that can deliver different fluids simultaneously through separate channels. The pump integrates multiple infusion mechanisms, control systems, and fluid pathways into one unified device, allowing clinicians to manage multiple infusions from a single platform rather than coordinating several separate pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-channel pump is designed with universal functionality to handle various types of infusions through its multiple channels. Each channel can be configured for different fluid types, rates, and delivery modes, enabling the single device to replace multiple specialized pumps while maintaining the ability to deliver potent medications, nutritional fluids, and other therapies simultaneously.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual infusion pumps are used to deliver different fluids, then treatment versatility is improved, but space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment versatilityVSAvoidspace consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual infusion pumps into a single multi-channel pump system that can deliver different fluids simultaneously through separate channels. The pump integrates multiple infusion mechanisms, control systems, and fluid pathways into one unified device, allowing clinicians to manage multiple infusions from a single platform rather than coordinating several separate pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a multi-channel pump is used to reduce space and simplify programming, then device footprint is reduced, but compatibility with different pump types is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidpump type compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-channel pump is designed with universal functionality to handle various types of infusions through its multiple channels. Each channel can be configured for different fluid types, rates, and delivery modes, enabling the single device to replace multiple specialized pumps while maintaining the ability to deliver potent medications, nutritional fluids, and other therapies simultaneously.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional infusion pumps are added to a multi-channel pump to support more treatments, then treatment capability is improved, but the efficiency advantage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-channel pump is designed with universal functionality to handle various types of infusions through its multiple channels. Each channel can be configured for different fluid types, rates, and delivery modes, enabling the single device to replace multiple specialized pumps while maintaining the ability to deliver potent medications, nutritional fluids, and other therapies simultaneously.

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

Data Source

PatentUS20250213779A1Medical device hub position detection system, method, and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.07.03 BAXTER INT INC
  • US20250213779A1 patent drawing
  • US20250213779A1 patent drawing
  • US20250213779A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for determining positions of medical devices within a hub, which comprises a number of apparatuses that are linked together in a stacked configuration. A medical device hub includes a connectivity apparatus that is communicatively coupled to a medical network and/or a monitoring device. Additionally, the medical device hub includes one or more docking apparatuses. Each docking apparatus can accommodate two or more infusion pumps. The number of docking apparatuses used in the medical device hub depends on the number of infusion pumps needed for a patient treatment. The medical device hub enables multiple docking apparatuses to be stacked as needed while enabling the infusion pumps to be operated independently and removed from the medical device hub as needed, even during a treatment without interruption. Such a configuration provides a scalable, flexible, and adaptable system that aggregates infusion pumps into a relatively small footprint.