Infusion Pump Cassette Slider Latching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current infusion pump systems face challenges in efficiently managing disposable IV cassettes, including air bubble detection and fluid flow control, which can lead to contamination risks and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The development of a disposable IV pump cassette system with a rigid body, compliant membrane, and a longitudinally articulable slider, integrated with a cassette recess that includes engagement slots and a processing unit, allowing for secure latching and efficient fluid pathway management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a disposable IV pump cassette system is used, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases due to integrated components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination risk reductionVSAvoidintegrated components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system is divided into disposable cassettes and reusable pump body, allowing the cassette to be discarded after single use, eliminating contamination risk while keeping the reusable pump body relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slider mechanism is nested within the cassette structure, with engagement protrusions fitting into engagement slots on the pump body, creating a compact integrated design that reduces overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If secure latching mechanism is implemented, then operational reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional latching steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure latchingVSAvoidlatching operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slider mechanism automatically engages with the pump body when the cassette is inserted, with engagement protrusions automatically fitting into engagement slots, eliminating the need for manual latching operations while ensuring secure connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If fluid flow control is enhanced, then infusion precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfusion precisionVSAvoidcontrol mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compliant membrane serves multiple functions: it acts as a seal, a pump element for fluid delivery, and a sensor for detecting air bubbles, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining infusion precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enhances the secure latching of IV cassettes, reduces the risk of contamination, and improves the efficiency of fluid flow control, enabling precise and reliable infusion pump operations.

Implementation Method 1

Some infusion pumps move fluid through an IV tube using a peristaltic pumping mechanism that acts on the IV tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Data Source

PatentEP3226934B1Pump cassettes with slider and infusion pump systems
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 CAREFUSION 2200 INC
  • EP3226934B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3226934B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3226934B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

Pump cassettes, infusion systems, and methods are described. An example pump cassette may include a rigid body comprising a frame portion, a base portion, a compliant membrane disposed substantially therebetween, and two opposing longitudinal edge sections. The rigid body may include a controllable fluid pathway defined in part by the compliant membrane and extending from an inlet port to an outlet port. The pump cassette may include a slider coupled to the two opposing longitudinal edge sections and longitudinally articulable with respect to the rigid body.