Rotational Metering Pump for Compact Insulin Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulin pumps are cumbersome, prone to mechanical failure, have long tolerance loops for dose accuracy, complex fluid paths, high precision actuators, and are at risk of creating direct fluid paths leading to overdoses.
Innovation Solution
A rotational metering pump with a sleeve having a side hole and a gasket with a first gasket opening, rotating axially within a housing connected to a fluid reservoir and a delivery cannula, featuring a helical groove and a plunger that translates axially within the sleeve to change the pump volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional lead screw and piston type metering systems are used, then the metering function is achieved, but the height and footprint are large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piston and cylinder into a single integrated component where the piston forms part of the cylinder structure. This integration eliminates separate components, reducing the overall height and footprint while maintaining the metering function through the rotational movement of the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the piston is positioned within the cylinder in a space-efficient manner. The rotational metering mechanism is nested within the pump housing, allowing compact arrangement of moving parts that reduces the external dimensions of the device.
2Reliability
If conventional metering systems with multiple components are used, then the metering function is achieved, but the number of components and moving parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The integrated piston-cylinder structure performs both sealing and metering functions, while the rotational mechanism simultaneously controls fluid flow and measures dosage. This reduction in component count directly improves reliability by eliminating potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational metering mechanism serves multiple functions: it meters the insulin dosage, controls the direction of fluid flow, and actuates the delivery mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby improving reliability through fewer moving parts.
3Measurement precision
If conventional metering systems are used, then the metering function is achieved, but the tolerance loop for dose accuracy is long
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational metering mechanism is self-regulating through its mechanical design. The precision of the rotational movement and the geometric relationship between the piston and cylinder automatically ensure accurate dosing without requiring external feedback or adjustment mechanisms, thereby shortening the tolerance loop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex feedback control systems with a precision mechanical metering mechanism. The rotational displacement directly correlates to the volume of insulin delivered through the geometric design of the piston and cylinder, providing inherent dose accuracy without requiring long tolerance loops for calibration and verification.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional metering systems are used, then the metering function is achieved, but the fluid path is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid path into distinct zones: the reservoir, the pump chamber, and the delivery cannula. The rotational metering mechanism creates clear separation between these zones during operation, allowing air to be trapped and removed in specific segments rather than requiring complex priming procedures for an integrated fluid path.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex valves and mechanisms to control fluid flow direction, the patent inverts the approach by using the rotational movement of the metering mechanism itself to naturally direct the fluid flow. The rotation inherently opens and closes flow paths in the correct sequence, simplifying the overall fluid path 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 solution reduces the height and footprint of the metering system, decreases the number of components and moving parts, improves dose accuracy, simplifies priming and air removal, reduces costs, prevents overdoses, and enhances the reliability and accuracy of insulin delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve further comprises a helical groove having a first end and a second end. The plunger further comprises a coupling member adapted to move within the helical groove and between the first end and the second end of the helical groove to cause the plunger to translate axially within the sleeve as the plunger is rotated.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary pump for a fluid metering system is provided. The rotary pump reciprocates, and is reversed by a signal from a limit switch that is deflected by an actuator arm on a rotating sleeve of the pump system. The sleeve receives a gasket that forms a seal between the sleeve and the housing, the gasket having an opening surrounding a side hole of the sleeve to permit fluid to pass through the side hole between a pump volume and an inlet port or outlet port of the housing.