Syringe Pump Piston Brake Radial Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current syringe pumps lack effective monitoring mechanisms for ensuring correct syringe positioning, size, and function, leading to potential errors in medication delivery.

Innovation Solution

Integration of sensors within the piston brake to detect and evaluate the syringe's position, size, and function, generating an alarm if incorrect, and temporarily stopping the pump to prevent operation until corrections are made.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a piston brake is provided to fix the piston rod, then the reliability of piston positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional braking components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston positioning reliabilityVSAvoidbrake mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sensor system with the piston brake mechanism by integrating the sensor into the braking element. This merging allows the brake structure to serve dual purposes: mechanical braking and syringe monitoring, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The braking element is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a mechanical brake to fix the piston rod and as a mounting structure for the sensor system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, balancing reliability improvement with complexity management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are integrated into the piston brake, then the measurement precision of syringe parameters is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to integration complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesyringe parameter detection precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is integrated into the piston brake structure, combining two functional elements into one assembly. This merging improves measurement precision while managing manufacturing complexity by reducing the total number of separate components that need to be assembled

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor is pre-integrated into the braking element during manufacturing, so that when the brake assembly is installed, the sensing capability is already in place. This preliminary integration simplifies the overall assembly process despite the increased complexity of the integrated component itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the piston brake is used to secure the piston rod, then the stability of piston positioning is improved, but the loss of time increases due to additional braking and sensing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston rod stabilityVSAvoidsyringe preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system continuously monitors syringe parameters while the piston brake maintains positioning. This continuous monitoring allows for real-time detection without requiring separate inspection steps, thereby maintaining stability while minimizing time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system performs preliminary detection of syringe parameters before the pump operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that any issues are detected early, allowing for quick correction and minimizing the overall time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances syringe monitoring reliability, reducing device-related effort and ensuring accurate syringe operation by providing real-time feedback and preventing incorrect use.

Implementation Method 1

a force-detecting device integrated into a drive of the piston brake

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce detection: Force

Implementation Method 2

a displacement-detecting device integrated into a drive of the piston brake

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisplacement detection: Displacement

Implementation Method 3

at least one braking element of a piston brake of the syringe pump is movable substantially radially or with a radial movement component to a piston rod of the syringe in order to fix the piston rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial movement:

Data Source

PatentEP4306147A1Syringe pump with piston brake
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
  • EP4306147A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306147A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4306147A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A syringe pump with a receiving area for a syringe is disclosed, wherein a drive head is linearly movable within the receiving area. A braking element of a piston brake is essentially radially movable relative to a piston rod of the syringe in order to fix the piston rod by friction or positive locking. By means of force and/or displacement measurement implemented in a drive of the piston brake, the presence and/or position and/or diameter of the piston rod is determined.