Syringe Pump Pusher Control for Voluntary Bolus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Syringe pumps risk involuntary bolus administration due to existing braking mechanisms that can damage the syringe or pose safety hazards to users, while also failing to allow voluntary bolus administration without intervention.
Innovation Solution
A method and pump design that manually stops the pusher's movement upon contact with the syringe head using an electromagnetic brake, allowing for voluntary bolus administration by disengaging the pusher from the drive means and using sensors to detect contact and alignment of half-nuts with the threaded drive rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a braking device is used to prevent the plunger from advancing when it contacts the syringe head, then involuntary bolus administration is prevented, but the device may damage the piston or jam it in the barrel, and sharp blades pose safety hazards to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical blade-based braking system with an electromagnetic brake system. The electromagnetic brake uses magnetic fields to apply braking force to the drive screw without physical contact between sharp blades and the plunger, thereby preventing both involuntary bolus administration and damage/injury hazards associated with sharp mechanical blades
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary between the plunger-syringe contact detection and the brake activation. The sensor detects when the plunger contacts the syringe head and triggers the electromagnetic brake, providing a controlled intermediate step that prevents direct mechanical damage while ensuring reliable bolus prevention
2Ease of operation
If the pusher is manually moved to bring the plunger into contact with the syringe head, then the syringe can be positioned, but an involuntary bolus may occur when the plunger hits the syringe head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the position of the plunger relative to the syringe head during manual positioning. When contact is detected, the system provides feedback to activate the electromagnetic brake, preventing the plunger from advancing further and causing an involuntary bolus, while still allowing the operator to complete the positioning operation
3Reliability
If existing braking mechanisms are used to stop the plunger, then bolus prevention is achieved, but voluntary bolus administration requires additional intervention and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the brake system dynamic and controllable, allowing it to be activated or deactivated based on operational mode. For voluntary bolus administration, the operator can temporarily deactivate the brake control, allowing manual advancement of the plunger even when contact is detected, then reactivate it afterward. This dynamic control simplifies the operation compared to systems requiring separate mechanical intervention
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
Prevents involuntary bolus administration without damaging the syringe and allows for safe voluntary bolus administration, ensuring the syringe's integrity and user safety by controlling the pusher's movement through contact detection and alignment procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the pusher blocking means comprise a threaded control rod, a nut engaged on the threaded rod and secured to the pusher, a brake being able to act on the threaded control rod
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the movement of the push device of a syringe driver-type pump, said pump comprising: a casing (100), a syringe cradle (200) in which a syringe (400) is placed, a push device (300) which can move relative to the casing (100) and which can be driven in translation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the syringe by drive means, and engaging means (310, 350, 351) for engaging or disengaging the push device (300) on the drive means. In the method of the invention, the push device (300) is first disconnected from the drive means, allowing same to be moved manually, and the presence or absence of contact between the push device (300) and the syringe head (401) is determined. If the push device is not in contact with the syringe head, it is advanced manually in the direction of the latter. Once the push device comes into contact with the syringe head, the advance movement of the push device is stopped. The advance movement of the push device is only blocked if the push device was not in contact with the syringe head at the start of the operation. Unlike the prior art, it is not the piston of the syringe that is blocked, but the movement of the push device that is stopped as soon as the syringe comes into contact with the push device.