Modular Infusion Pump Separating Disposable Reservoir from Durable Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical infusion pump systems require disposal even if components are still operational, leading to unnecessary waste and increased costs, as they are designed for a fixed operational lifetime rather than component-specific durability.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reservoir, piston, plunger shaft, and handle allows for the separation of disposable and durable components, enabling the reservoir to be filled and the infusion medium to be delivered efficiently, with a drive device using a motor to move the piston and handle for filling and delivery, and a transfer guard for safe filling and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pump system is designed for a fixed operational lifetime, then the system can be manufactured with standard components and assembly procedures, but the entire system must be disposed of even when individual components are still functional
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into distinct modular components: a durable pump housing containing the motor and control electronics, and replaceable reservoir assemblies containing the infusion medium and plunger mechanisms. This segmentation allows individual components to be replaced based on their specific operational lifespan rather than disposing of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables selective disposal of consumable components (reservoirs, plunger shafts, seals) while retaining and reusing durable components (pump housing, motor, control circuitry). The durable housing is configured to receive multiple reservoir assemblies over time, recovering valuable components from the system lifecycle.
2Productivity
If the reservoir and drive mechanism are integrated into a single disposable unit, then the system can be manufactured and assembled efficiently, but operational costs increase due to replacing functional components
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the reservoir assembly from the drive mechanism housing, allowing the reservoir with its plunger shaft to be replaced independently from the motorized drive housing. This maintains assembly efficiency while reducing component consumption through selective replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The durable pump housing is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different reservoir assemblies over time. The standardized interface and mounting mechanisms allow the same housing to work with various reservoir types, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the plunger shaft is designed to be manually operated, then the device can be manufactured with simple mechanical components, but the ease of operation decreases for precise infusion delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical plunger operation is replaced with an automated motorized drive mechanism that connects to the plunger shaft through a standardized interface. The motor provides precise controlled motion for accurate infusion delivery, while the mechanical simplicity of the plunger shaft itself is maintained for ease of manufacture.
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
This solution allows for the efficient filling and delivery of infusion media while enabling the separation of disposable and durable components, reducing waste and extending the operational life of durable components, thus reducing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a drive device using a motor to move the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.