Reusable Infusion Power Module for Disposable Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion devices require integrated power and connectivity, leading to increased costs and undesirable disposal of high-cost components due to their all-in-one approach, which is inefficient for disposable devices.
Innovation Solution
A modular power and connectivity assembly that is reusable and removably coupled to infusion devices, providing separate power and communication functionalities, allowing for wireless or wired connections, and includes a charging station and connectivity hub for network integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an all-in-one approach is used where all aspects (power, connectivity) are contained within the infusion device, then the device provides independent power and connectivity, but the cost increases and disposal of high-cost components becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable power assembly with connectivity components and a disposable infusion device. The power assembly includes a power source, power transmission component, communication component, and connectivity component that can be separately disposed of or reused, resolving the contradiction by segmenting the all-in-one design into manageable parts with different disposal characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The power and connectivity functions are extracted from the disposable infusion device and placed into a separate reusable power assembly. This extraction allows the high-cost power and connectivity components to be reused across multiple infusion devices, eliminating the need to dispose of expensive components with each disposable device while maintaining independent power and connectivity functionality
2Reliability
If each infusion device includes its own power source and connectivity hardware, then independent power and connectivity are provided, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable power assembly serves multiple infusion devices through a universal coupling interface. The power assembly can be attached to and detached from different infusion devices, providing power and connectivity functionality across multiple units. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for each individual infusion device to contain its own power source and connectivity hardware, significantly reducing overall system cost
3Device complexity
If a modular reusable power assembly is used, then costs are reduced and environmental impact is minimized, but the system requires physical connection to existing infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
A connectivity hub serves as an intermediary between the reusable power assembly and the existing hospital infrastructure. The connectivity hub receives power and data from the power assembly and facilitates communication with the hospital network, allowing the modular system to integrate with existing infrastructure without requiring direct physical connections to each individual infusion device
Data Source
AI summary
A modular power and connectivity assembly and system are provided. The modular power and connectivity assembly includes a housing, a power assembly and a communication assembly. The modular power and connectivity assembly is reusable and provides power and communications to a removably coupled infusion device. The system includes multiple modular power and connectivity assemblies, a charging station for recharging the modular power and connectivity assemblies, a connectivity hub for communicating with the modular power and connectivity assemblies, and a cloud interface to a healthcare system for sending and receiving information to and from the modular power and connectivity assemblies. A method of operating a modular power and connectivity system is also provided.