Piezoelectric Infusion Pump with Segmented Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infusion systems for diabetes and other medical conditions face challenges in providing precise, continuous, and comfortable medicament delivery due to intermittent dosing, discomfort from rigid cannulas, and high costs associated with complex components.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric driven infusion device with a separable housing, a precise drive mechanism using a piezoelectric bender assembly and limiter, and a flexible cannula mounting system that allows for precise reciprocal motion and reduced patient discomfort, along with a wireless remote control for programmable infusion rates and time sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rigid cannula is used for infusion, then the device placement is simpler, but patient discomfort increases with movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible cannula made of elastomeric material that can bend and move with patient movement, eliminating the discomfort associated with rigid cannulas while maintaining ease of placement. The flexible cannula is contained within a resilient device that allows it to flex without compromising the infusion function.
2Reliability
If expensive components are made disposable, then reliability improves, but long-term cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion device is divided into disposable and reusable portions. The disposable portion includes the reservoir and flexible cannula, while the reusable portion includes the expensive piezoelectric drive mechanism and control electronics. This segmentation allows reliable expensive components to be reused while maintaining system reliability through disposable sterile components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where the disposable reservoir and cannula are discarded after use, while the expensive piezoelectric drive assembly is recovered and reused for subsequent infusions. This reduces long-term costs by eliminating the need to discard expensive electronic and piezoelectric components.
3Loss of substance
If a separable housing design is used, then cost is reduced through component reuse, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is separated into a reusable control portion containing the piezoelectric drive and a disposable reservoir portion. This segmentation enables cost reduction through reuse of expensive components while isolating the complexity of the separable design to the mechanical interface between portions.
4Manufacturing precision
If piezoelectric mechanisms are used for flow control, then precision is improved, but measurement and control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the piezoelectric drive operation and infusion flow. Sensors detect pump stroke completion and fluid flow characteristics, providing feedback to the control system to ensure precise dosing and simplify the monitoring of the piezoelectric mechanism's operation.
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 enables precise and continuous medicament delivery with reduced patient discomfort and lower long-term costs by reusing expensive components, while enhancing patient mobility through wireless control and programmable infusion protocols.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is driven by a precise drive including a piezoelectric bender assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion device having a housing with a reusable control portion and an expendable reservoir portion includes a precise drive for an infusion pump. The drive includes a piezoelectric bender assembly, a limiter and at least one contact stop. The piezoelectric bender assembly includes a cantilevered piezoelectric bender having an member of predetermined thickness fixed to move with the second end. A limiter of dimensionally stable material including a gap and at least a first mounting hole extending to the gap. The member of predetermined thickness extends into the gap. A first contact stop is positioned in the gap to define a critical gap distance limiting movement of the member of predetermined thickness in the gap. A base has a mounting surface, a port through the base and extending to the mounting surface. The port includes a first length having a smaller diameter at the mounting surface and a second length displaced from the mounting surface and having a larger diameter. A rigid cannula extends from the base through the port. The rigid cannula has a diameter smaller than the smaller diameter of the port, and the first length of the port has an annular open gap for lateral or pivotal movement of the rigid cannula. A mount of elastomeric material in the length having the larger diameter mounts the rigid cannula. The cannula includes hydrogel material in a desiccated state coating the surface of the cannula, including the beveled end, which rehydrates upon placement in the patient.