Peristaltic Pump Membrane for Complete Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transport devices and systems for delivering beneficial agents face challenges such as improved energy consumption and battery life, pump efficiency and control, comfort and ergonomics, and cassette configuration for complete access to reservoir contents.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a pump and a cassette, where the pump includes a pump housing with a fluid drive component and a membrane between the receiving region and the fluid drive component, and the cassette has a fluid reservoir chamber and a delivery tube assembly, enhancing engagement and occlusion sensing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a membrane is added between the receiving region and the fluid drive component, then pump efficiency and control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the receiving region and the fluid drive component. The membrane transmits mechanical forces from the finger plates to the peristaltic tube while isolating the fluid drive component from direct contact with the beneficial agent, thereby improving pump efficiency and control without compromising device simplicity
2Productivity
If the cassette configuration is optimized for complete access to reservoir contents, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cassette is divided into distinct functional regions: a fluid reservoir chamber for storing the beneficial agent and a delivery tube assembly for transporting it. This segmentation allows the peristaltic tube to be precisely positioned within the receiving region, ensuring complete access and delivery of reservoir contents while maintaining a straightforward cassette structure
3Reliability
If engagement and occlusion sensing mechanisms are enhanced, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane itself serves dual functions: it acts as a structural component separating the receiving region from the fluid drive component, and simultaneously serves as a sensing element for detecting engagement and occlusion conditions. This self-service approach improves reliability without adding separate sensing mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased device complexity
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 solution improves energy efficiency, extends battery life, enhances pump control and comfort, and optimizes cassette configuration, ensuring complete delivery of beneficial agents from the reservoir.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane can be molded over the slot and define a protrusion extending to the lateral edge of the receiving region. The slot includes a plurality of edges to support the membrane, and the membrane is molded over these edges. The receiving region further includes a support rib proximate to the rear closure portion. The membrane can also be molded over the support rib.
Implementation Method 2
The finger plates can be configured to engage the peristaltic tube with the membrane disposed between the plurality of finger plates and the peristaltic tube. The peristaltic tube can be secured at an inlet end and an outlet end thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A device for delivering a beneficial agent is provided and generally includes a cassette, a pump, and a delivery tube. The pump includes a pump housing containing a pump assembly having a fluid drive component. The pump housing has a receiving region disposed proximate the fluid drive component and further includes a rear closure portion. The rear closure portion includes a membrane disposed between the receiving region and the fluid drive component. The cassette includes a cassette housing, which has a cassette body region defining a fluid reservoir chamber therein. The cassette further includes a cassette base region having a boundary configured to be received by the receiving region.