Pharmacy-Based Infusion Pump Distribution System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for distributing infusion pumps, such as insulin infusion pumps, often impose a high upfront cost and significant paperwork burden on users and healthcare providers, with lengthy preauthorization processes and sunk costs for insurance providers.
Innovation Solution
A pharmacy-based distribution system that allows users to obtain portable infusion pumps and associated components, such as insulin cartridges and infusion sets, through a simple copayment process, reducing paperwork and spreading costs over time, with disposable infusion pumps and reusable controllers for convenient and cost-effective management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infusion pumps are distributed as durable medical equipment requiring preauthorization, then insurance coverage is provided, but paperwork burden and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the infusion pump system into disposable pump devices and reusable controllers, allowing the disposable portion to be distributed through standard pharmacy channels without preauthorization, while the reusable controller is covered under durable medical equipment benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pharmacy as an intermediary distribution channel that can dispense disposable infusion pumps using standard prescription processes, bypassing the need for preauthorization while still providing insurance coverage through appropriate billing codes
2Reliability
If infusion pumps are distributed as durable medical equipment, then insurance coverage is provided, but upfront costs and paperwork burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pump system into disposable and reusable components, enabling the disposable portion to be obtained through simple pharmacy transactions with minimal paperwork, while the reusable controller is handled separately under DME benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables patients to obtain disposable pump devices through self-service pharmacy channels using standard prescription processes, eliminating the need for complex preauthorization paperwork that would otherwise be required for DME coverage
3Ease of manufacture
If disposable infusion pumps are used, then cost management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into disposable pump devices and reusable controllers, allowing the complex reusable components to be manufactured once and reused, while the simple disposable portions can be mass-produced at lower cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable pump devices that are inexpensive to manufacture and discard after single use, eliminating the need for expensive sterilization and maintenance infrastructure while reducing overall system cost
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments described herein provide for a number of portable infusion pumps to be distributed to a pump user via a pharmacy system or like.