Shape Memory Pump Drive for Quiet Low-Power Medicament Delivery

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medicament delivery devices using electric motors are heavy, noisy, and require constant power consumption, limiting their application in certain contexts.

Innovation Solution

A pump drive system utilizing a shape memory element, such as nitinol, that changes shape with temperature to convey medicament along a fluid path, eliminating the need for electronic components and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electric motors are used to drive the pump, then the pump can convey medicament along the fluid path, but the device becomes heavy, noisy, and consumes constant power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedicament delivery capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical pump system with a shape memory alloy-based pump system. The shape memory element undergoes phase transformation between austenite and martensite states in response to temperature changes, directly driving the pumping action without requiring an electric motor, thereby eliminating the weight, noise, and constant power consumption associated with electric motors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes temperature as the controlling parameter to induce phase transformation in the shape memory alloy. By changing the temperature of the shape memory element, the system achieves controlled shape transformation that drives the pump mechanism, replacing the need for continuous electrical power input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If electric motors are used to drive the pump, then the pump can convey medicament along the fluid path, but the device becomes noisy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedicament delivery capabilityVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical pump system with a shape memory alloy-based pump system. The shape memory element undergoes phase transformation between austenite and martensite states in response to temperature changes, directly driving the pumping action without requiring an electric motor, thereby eliminating the weight, noise, and constant power consumption associated with electric motors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If electric motors are used to drive the pump, then the pump can convey medicament along the fluid path, but the device consumes constant power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedicament delivery capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical pump system with a shape memory alloy-based pump system. The shape memory element undergoes phase transformation between austenite and martensite states in response to temperature changes, directly driving the pumping action without requiring an electric motor, thereby eliminating the weight, noise, and constant power consumption associated with electric motors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes temperature as the controlling parameter to induce phase transformation in the shape memory alloy. By changing the temperature of the shape memory element, the system achieves controlled shape transformation that drives the pump mechanism, replacing the need for continuous electrical power input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If conventional pump systems with electronic components are used, then the pump can convey medicament, but the device cannot be sterilized using gamma radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedicament delivery capabilityVSAvoidsterilization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical pump system with a shape memory alloy-based pump system. The shape memory element undergoes phase transformation between austenite and martensite states in response to temperature changes, directly driving the pumping action without requiring an electric motor, thereby eliminating the weight, noise, and constant power consumption associated with electric motors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The shape memory alloy pump system requires no external electronic components or power sources during operation. The temperature-induced phase transformation of the shape memory element directly performs the pumping function, making the entire system compatible with gamma radiation sterilization without protecting electronic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 achieves reduced weight, lower noise, and efficient medicament delivery with simplified control, suitable for sterilization and integration into compact, user-friendly devices.

Implementation Method 1

a shape memory element configured to change shape according to a temperature thereof, wherein the shape memory element is operatively coupled to the pumping arrangement such that a change of shape of the shape memory element causes the pumping arrangement to convey the medicament along the fluid path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS20250367367A1Pump drive for a medicament delivery device

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SHL MEDICAL AG

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a pump drive for a medicament delivery device. The pump drive comprises a pumping arrangement for conveying a medicament along a fluid path as part of a medicament delivery process. The pump drive further comprises a shape memory element configured to change shape according to a temperature thereof, wherein the shape memory element is operatively coupled to the pumping arrangement such that a change of shape of the shape memory element causes the pumping arrangement to convey the medicament along the fluid path. The pump drive further comprises a temperature control arrangement configured to change the temperature of the shape memory element and thereby change the shape of the shape memory element.