Single Motor Infusion Device with Dual Syringe Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug infusion devices are limited by hourly flow rates at each infusion site, leading to prolonged administration times, and existing solutions for simultaneous infusion into multiple sites either increase costs or pose health risks due to overdose issues when one site is blocked.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a pair of syringes connected to different infusion sites, driven by a single electric motor and mechanical assemblies that convert rotary motion into linear motion, ensuring simultaneous and controlled drug delivery without the risk of overdose if one site is blocked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple independent pumps are used for simultaneous infusion into multiple sites, then the hourly flow rate is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple infusion functions into a single pump device with one syringe that can deliver drug to multiple infusion sites simultaneously through a distribution system, eliminating the need for multiple independent pumps and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve required hourly flow rates
2Device complexity
If a single syringe with Y-shaped connecting piece is used for simultaneous infusion, then the cost is reduced, but the risk of overdose increases when one site is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect occlusion or blockage in the infusion pathways and provide feedback to the control system, which then adjusts or stops the infusion pump operation to prevent overdose when one infusion site is blocked, while still using a single syringe configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the single syringe output into multiple independent pathways with individual flow control mechanisms, allowing each infusion site to be controlled separately so that blockage in one pathway does not cause uncontrolled flow to other sites
3Loss of time
If the hourly flow rate is increased by adding more infusion sites, then the administration time is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from increasing flow rate by adding more infusion sites (spatial dimension) to using a single syringe with multi-pathway distribution and flow control (system architecture dimension), achieving the same time reduction goal without proportionally increasing device complexity
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 device allows for increased hourly drug flow rates while maintaining cost-effectiveness and safety, as a single motor controls both syringes, and occlusion at one site stops infusion, preventing overdose.
Implementation Method 1
a single electric motor and a first and a second mechanical assembly, each associated with one of the syringes and arranged to convert the rotary motion of the motor into a linear motion
Implementation Method 2
mechanical assembly, each associated with one of the syringes and arranged to convert the rotary motion of the motor into a linear motion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~7
Figure 3
AI summary
A portable device for infusion of liquid drugs contained in at least one syringe (14a, 14b) into multiple infusion sites on a patient's body includes a body (11), which has coupled thereto a pair of syringes (14a, 14b), each arranged to be connected to one of the sites, and which houses a driving system (21a, 21b, 24, 27, 28a, 28b, 29a, 29b) of the device. The driving system (21a, 21b, 24, 27, 28a, 28b, 29a, 29b) includes a single electric motor (24) and a first and a second mechanical assembly (21a, 28a, 29a, 21b, 28b, 29b), each associated with one of the syringes (14a, 14b) and arranged to convert the rotary motion of the motor (24 into a linear motion and to apply said linear motion to a pusher (18a, 18b) associated with the plunger (17a, 17b) of the respective syringe, both mechanical assemblies (21a, 28a, 29a, 21b, 28b, 29b) being simultaneously operated for causing simultaneous infusion of the drug contained in both syringes (14a, 14b) into said sites.