Pneumatic Infusion Pump Cassette for Sensorless Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems for home-based administration are time-consuming, prone to errors, and involve multiple steps, particularly in therapies like HyQvia, which requires administering two drugs subcutaneously, and lack practical methods for estimating drug volume and flow rate without embedding sensors or electronics in the single-use parts.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable drug delivery system comprising a single-use cassette with drug delivery bags and a reusable pump module, utilizing a pneumatic interface for pressure control and a valve block assembly for drug selection, enabling drug administration through a single needle set without patient handling, and indirectly determining drug volume and flow rate via the pneumatic interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors or electronics are embedded in the single-use cassette to measure drug volume and flow rate, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A pneumatic interface acts as an intermediary between the pump module and the cassette, enabling indirect measurement of drug volume and flow rate through pressure readings. The interface includes a pneumatic channel that connects the pressure chamber to the pump, allowing the pump controller to measure pressure changes that correspond to drug volume and flow rate without embedding sensors in the cassette
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic sensing systems with a pneumatic-mechanical system. Instead of using electronic sensors to directly measure drug volume and flow rate in the cassette, the system uses pneumatic pressure transmission through the pneumatic interface to convey volume and flow information to the pump controller, which then calculates the measurements based on pressure readings
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drug delivery bags are used in the cassette, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is designed as a universal container that can accommodate one or multiple drug delivery bags. The pneumatic interface and pump module serve multiple functions: they can pressurize the pressure chamber to deliver drugs from single or multiple bags, and they can measure volume and flow rate regardless of the number of bags used. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different therapy requirements without increasing fundamental system complexity
3Loss of substance
If the pump module is designed to be reusable with multiple cassettes, then loss of substance is reduced, but ease of operation may be worsened due to coupling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable pump module and a disposable cassette, allowing the expensive pump components to be used multiple times while the single-use cassette is discarded after one therapy. This segmentation reduces the loss of expensive materials by keeping them in the reusable portion. The coupling mechanism between cassette and pump module is designed to be simple and intuitive, minimizing operational difficulty despite the modular design
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 simplifies drug delivery by reducing steps, ensures accurate drug administration, and allows for easy portability and handling, while eliminating the need for electronics in the cassette, thus maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is configured to pump air into the pressure chamber through the pneumatic interface to pressurize the pressure chamber and cause a drug to flow from one of the one or more drug bags through the outlet port
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery system includes a single-use cassette driven by a reusable pump module. The cassette includes one or more drug delivery bags disposed in a pressure chamber. A pump pressurizes the pressure chamber through a pneumatic interface between the pump module and cassette to dispense the drug from the drug delivery bags into a valve block assembly and through an outlet port.