Orthogonal Communication Board for Medical Fluid Pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical fluid pumps, such as infusion and syringe pumps, face space constraints due to the integration of smart functions on larger circuit boards, which increases size and costs, and limiting functions is not a viable solution, impacting accessibility and requiring costly replacements.

Innovation Solution

A medical fluid pump design featuring a main circuit board with essential control devices and a wireless communication module arranged orthogonally, reducing space requirements and incorporating a metallic shielding cage for improved cooling and electromagnetic interference protection, along with separate antennas for enhanced wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional circuit boards or chips are mounted across the entire surface of the main circuit board to implement smart functions, then the medical fluid pump gains smart features, but the main circuit board becomes larger and the pump dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmart featuresVSAvoidmain circuit board area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication board is arranged perpendicular to the main circuit board, transitioning from a planar layout to a three-dimensional configuration. This vertical arrangement allows the communication board to be mounted on the side surface of the main board, significantly reducing the projected area occupied on the main circuit board while accommodating the communication module's space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication board is enclosed within a shielding cage that is integrated with the housing structure. This nesting approach allows the communication module to be housed within the existing pump structure without requiring additional external space, effectively nesting the communication functionality within the compact pump body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the main circuit board is made larger to accommodate smart functions, then more smart features can be implemented, but the pump's accessibility for medical personnel is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmart functionsVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging the communication board perpendicular to the main circuit board, the patent reduces the footprint on the main board, thereby maintaining the compact dimensions of the pump and ensuring accessibility for medical personnel during patient treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If smart functions are implemented directly on the motherboard, then the required size is reduced, but the cost of the motherboard significantly increases and replacement is required if functions fail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit board sizeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the communication module onto an independent communication board that can be mounted perpendicular to the main circuit board. This segmentation allows the communication functionality to be implemented as a separate, replaceable component rather than integrating it directly into the motherboard, reducing manufacturing costs and enabling selective replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication board is extracted as a separate component from the main circuit board, allowing it to be independently manufactured, tested, and replaced. This extraction reduces the complexity and cost of the main motherboard while enabling modular maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Area of stationary object

If the number of smart features is limited to counteract space increase, then installation space is reduced, but various smart features are eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidsmart features
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The perpendicular arrangement of the communication board enables the system to accommodate smart features without increasing the pump's footprint, as the communication board utilizes vertical space rather than horizontal space on the main circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design maintains compact dimensions, ensures effective cooling and electromagnetic stability, and allows for independent operation of the communication module, enabling wireless control and data transmission without increasing the pump's size or cost, while maintaining essential functions.

Implementation Method 1

The communication board (10) is enclosed by a metallic shielding cage (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

the orthogonal orientation of the communication board to the main board allows air to circulate more effectively around it than in the case of a planar/parallel orientation. This improves the cooling of the communication board.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4169549A1Wireless communication module for medical fluid pump
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
  • EP4169549A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4169549A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4169549A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The medical fluid pump (2), preferably in the form of an infusion pump or syringe pump, comprises a circuit board (8) which is equipped with the essential control devices of the medical fluid pump (2), namely at least with the control device of a motor of the medical fluid pump (2), and a wireless communication module (10) in the form of a communication board (10). The communication board (10) is arranged substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the circuit board (8).