Modular Pump Assembly With Recirculation for Stable Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems face challenges in achieving high pressures and flow rates, particularly when connected to implanted devices like PICC & PORT, and struggle with maintaining fluid homogeneity and delivering multiple fluids with precise control, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A modular fluid delivery system with recirculation circuits and adjustable pump modules ensures fluid recirculation within the system before delivery, allowing pressure equalization and reducing pressure pulsations, while enabling delivery of multiple fluids with precise control and high pressures and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure and flow rate are pursued in fluid delivery, then delivery efficiency is improved, but pressure pulsations and system instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by recirculating fluid through the pump module before actual delivery. The recirculation circuit allows the pump to build stable pressure and flow characteristics beforehand, eliminating pressure pulsations during the transition to delivery mode. This preliminary conditioning of the fluid ensures smooth, stable delivery when high flow rates are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation circuit maintains continuous fluid movement through the pump module even when not delivering to the patient. This continuous action keeps the pump and fluid in a ready state, ensuring that when delivery is initiated, the system immediately provides stable high flow rates without interruption or pressure instability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple fluids are delivered with precise control, then treatment accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components: a reusable pump module with recirculation capability and disposable fluid cartridges. Each cartridge is pre-filled with a specific fluid, and the pump module sequentially processes multiple cartridges. This segmentation allows precise control of multiple fluids without requiring a complex integrated system, as each fluid pathway is independent and standardized.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump module is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple different fluids through standardized interfaces. The recirculation circuit and pump mechanism remain the same regardless of which fluid cartridge is installed, allowing precise delivery of various contrast agents or medications without requiring separate specialized systems for each fluid type.
3Reliability
If recirculation circuit is implemented, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation circuit is merged with the delivery pathway within a single integrated pump module. The fluid recirculates through the same pump and valve mechanisms used for delivery, eliminating the need for separate recirculation pumps or additional complex circuitry. This merging achieves pressure stability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump module performs self-service by using its own delivery mechanisms to recirculate fluid. The same pump that delivers fluid to the patient is used to recirculate fluid through the recirculation circuit, eliminating the need for separate recirculation pumping equipment. This self-service approach maintains pressure stability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular fluid delivery system is disclosed which comprises at least one supply station for supplying at least one fluid, and a pressurizing unit for pressurizing said at least one fluid, said pressurizing unit comprising at least one driving unit and at least one disposable pump module assembly. The disposable pump module assembly comprises at least one disposable pump module and a fluid circuit tubing. The disposable pump module comprises a supporting element which defines at least one chamber, at least one inlet fluid circuit pathway, at least one outlet fluid circuit pathway and at least one recirculation fluid circuit pathway. The fluid circuit tubing comprises at least one inlet fluid circuit tubing, at least one outlet fluid circuit tubing and at least one recirculation fluid circuit tubing.