Syringe Pump Drive Head for Centering Variable Plunger Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing syringe pumps face challenges in securely retaining and centering plunger flanges of varying diameters during fluid delivery, leading to potential misalignment and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The syringe pump drive head incorporates a mechanism with planetary gears, a sun gear, and bias members to displace plunger flange graspers, ensuring precise centering and retention of plunger flanges on a fiducial reference axis, using interdigitating relationships and bias members to maintain alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple retention mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive head employs dynamically adjustable plunger flange graspers that can move between open and closed positions. The graspers are actuated by an actuator that responds to detected plunger flange dimensions, allowing the retention mechanism to adapt its configuration rather than being fixed. This dynamic adjustment enables precise centering and retention of plunger flanges with varying diameters without requiring multiple fixed-size retention structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the plunger flange graspers based on the detected plunger flange diameter. The actuator adjusts the position and configuration of the graspers to match the specific dimensions of the plunger flange being retained. This parameter adjustment allows a single retention mechanism to achieve high precision centering across multiple plunger flange sizes without increasing overall device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed retention mechanism is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different plunger flange diameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger flange grasper mechanism is designed as a universal retention system that can accommodate plunger flanges of various diameters. The graspers work in conjunction with an actuator that detects plunger flange dimensions and adjusts the retention configuration accordingly. This multi-functional design allows a single mechanism to perform precise centering and retention across different syringe and plunger flange sizes, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size retention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamically adjustable one. The plunger flange graspers can change their position and configuration based on the detected plunger flange diameter, enabling the same mechanism to adapt to different syringe sizes while maintaining manufacturing precision for centering and retention.
3Ease of operation
If manual alignment is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drive head incorporates an actuator that automatically detects the diameter of the plunger flange and adjusts the plunger flange graspers accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual alignment by the user, as the system autonomously centers and secures the plunger flange. The actuator performs the alignment function based on sensor feedback, ensuring consistent manufacturing precision without requiring user skill or time for manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the actuator to detect plunger flange diameter and automatically adjusts the graspers to achieve proper centering. This closed-loop control ensures that the plunger flange is accurately positioned and retained without manual intervention, combining ease of operation with high manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe pump may comprise a main housing. The syringe pump may further comprise a drive head coupled to a drive head tube and displaceable relative to the main housing. The drive head may include a means for positioning and retaining a plunger flange of a plunger of a syringe in alignment with a fiducial reference axis. The syringe pump may further comprise a means for positioning and retaining a barrel of the syringe in alignment with the fiducial reference axis. The syringe pump may further comprise a load cell assembly including a load cell and a contact in mechanical communication with the load cell. The contact may be disposed on the drive head and in alignment with the fiducial reference axis.