Reusable Pumping Unit With Disposable Fluidic Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical container systems for administering liquid substances like insulin require frequent changes, leading to waste and interruptions in treatment, as they are typically used until empty or partially empty, necessitating new pre-filled syringes even if not fully utilized.
Innovation Solution
A medical injection device with a reusable pumping unit and disposable fluidic block that maintains sterility by using a microfluidic pumping unit with a flexible membrane and check valves, allowing for refilling and reuse of the container until its specified lifetime, while separating reusable and disposable components for convenience and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a syringe is used as a medical container, then the liquid substance can be administered to the patient, but the syringe must be discarded after each use or when partially empty, causing waste and requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a reusable pumping unit and a disposable fluidic block. The fluidic block contains the container and is designed to be discarded after use, while the pumping unit can be reused multiple times. This segmentation allows the container to be replaced without losing the investment in the pumping unit, reducing overall waste while maintaining treatment continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic block containing the container is designed to be discarded after single use, while the pumping unit is recovered and reused. This approach recovers the valuable pumping unit and disposable the container, minimizing waste of the more expensive and complex components while ensuring continuous treatment availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a syringe pump is used to administer liquid medical substance, then the substance can be delivered to the patient, but the syringe cannot be refilled and must be replaced when empty or partially empty
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static syringe design to a dynamic refillable container system. The container can be refilled multiple times during the product lifetime, allowing adaptation to different treatment needs and extending the usable period without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed with a refill mechanism that allows preliminary refilling actions during the product lifetime. This enables users to refill the container before it becomes empty, avoiding treatment interruptions and extending the overall usage period.
3Reliability
If the container is made disposable to ensure sterility, then patient safety is maintained, but frequent replacements are required leading to waste and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable pumping unit and a disposable fluidic block. The fluidic block maintains sterility by being disposable, while the pumping unit can be reused. This segmentation allows sterility to be maintained in the critical fluid path while reducing overall system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic block containing the container is designed as a disposable component to maintain sterility. This approach uses a simple, single-use fluidic block rather than a complex reusable system, maintaining sterility while simplifying the overall system structure through the disposable nature of the critical fluid path components.
4Volume of moving object
If the container size is reduced for compactness, then portability is improved, but the treatment duration is reduced requiring more frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of container size based on treatment duration needs. Users can select appropriate container sizes within the fluidic block, and the refill capability allows extension of treatment duration beyond the initial container volume, providing flexibility between compactness and treatment duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The refillable container design allows preliminary preparation of larger volume containers for extended treatment durations. Users can refill the container to maintain treatment continuity, effectively extending the treatment duration while maintaining compact container size between uses.
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 reduces container waste, ensures continuous and comfortable administration of medical liquids without interruptions, and allows for a compact design, while maintaining sterility and safety by preventing contamination and enabling multiple refills of the container.
Implementation Method 1
a pumping chamber (8) with an elastic membrane (9) that is cyclically compressed and decompressed by the movement of the membrane (9)
Implementation Method 2
Fluid flow is directed by a passive inlet (10) and a passive outlet check valve (11) connected to the pumping chamber
Implementation Method 3
a third channel (16), acting as an inlet, is crossing the hard shell (1), leading into the cavity (2) and is closed off by a septum (17) on the outside, that allows to fill and refill the container using e.g. a needle and syringe
Implementation Method 4
Water ingress into this volume is prevented through the use of a hydrophobic filter membrane (23)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Medical liquid injection device comprising the following distinct elements : a container (1), an outlet channel (14) and a pumping unit (5); said container (1) comprising a rigid wall on which said pumping unit (5) is rigidly fixed; said rigid wall furthermore including a passage (4) which forms a direct fluid connection between said pumping unit (5) and said container (1); said outlet channel (14) being directly connected to said pumping unit (5) in such a way that a fluid initially kept in said container (1) may first flow through said pumping unit (5) and then reach said outlet channel (14), said medical liquid injection device furthermore comprising an inlet (16), distinct from said outlet channel (14).