Multi-Fluid Delivery Pumps with Recirculation for Precise High-Pressure Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems struggle to accurately and precisely deliver two or more different fluids at high pressure and flow rates, especially when connected to implanted devices like PICC & PORT, and face challenges with fluid homogeneity and viscosity, leading to delivery inaccuracies and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A fluid delivery system with dual pump modules, each equipped with a recirculation fluid circuit, allows alternating delivery and recirculation of fluids within the system to maintain precise control over pressure and flow rates, ensuring accurate delivery of distinct fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump module is used to deliver multiple fluids, then device complexity is reduced, but delivery precision and accuracy for each fluid deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid delivery function into separate pump modules, with each pump module dedicated to delivering a specific fluid. This segmentation ensures that each pump can be optimized for its specific fluid's properties (viscosity, flow rate requirements), thereby maintaining high delivery precision without requiring a single complex multi-fluid pump.
2Productivity
If high pressure and high flow rate are achieved, then delivery speed improves, but delivery accuracy deteriorates due to fluid homogeneity and viscosity issues
Solution Approach 1:
Each pump module is designed with specific local qualities tailored to the fluid it handles, including adjustable pumping parameters, variable piston speeds, and customizable recirculation rates. This allows each pump to optimize its delivery characteristics for its specific fluid's viscosity and flow requirements, maintaining accuracy even at high pressures and flow rates.
3Measurement precision
If recirculation is performed to maintain fluid homogeneity, then delivery accuracy improves, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system is designed to operate automatically based on pre-programmed sequences and sensor feedback. The pump modules self-regulate their recirculation rates and timing without requiring manual intervention, maintaining fluid homogeneity and delivery accuracy while minimizing operational complexity through automated control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple supply stations are used for different fluids, then fluid delivery versatility improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each pump module is designed as a universal platform capable of handling different fluid types through programmable control. The pump modules can be configured via software to deliver various fluids with different viscosities and flow rate requirements, providing system versatility without requiring physically different pump hardware for each fluid type.
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 system ensures high-pressure and high-flow-rate delivery of multiple fluids with enhanced accuracy and precision, overcoming issues related to implanted devices and fluid properties, while minimizing waste and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a pump module (30, 30') comprising a chamber (31, 31') and a piston (32, 32') contained therein, said piston being reciprocated by a driving unit (M) for pressurizing the fluid
Implementation Method 2
each pump module (30, 30') being provided with a recirculation fluid circuit (60, 60') for recirculating the fluid within said chamber (31, 31') of the corresponding pump module (30, 30')
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid delivery system is disclosed which comprises at least one first supply station for supplying a first fluid and at least one second supply station for supplying a second fluid different from the first fluid. The fluid delivery system further comprises a pressurizing unit for pressurizing the first and second fluids, said pressurizing unit comprising first and second pump modules, and each pump module comprising a chamber and a piston provided with a plunger to define first and second variable-volume sub-chambers. The fluid delivery system further comprises first and second inlet fluid circuits, first and second outlet fluid circuits, and a first recirculation fluid pathway fluidically connecting the first and second variable-volume sub-chambers of a pump module. Moreover, a first actuator is associated to said first recirculation fluid pathway for managing the fluid passage in both directions between said first and second variable-volume sub-chambers of said pump module. Methods of operating the fluid delivery system are disclosed too.