Therapeutic Fluid Delivery Device with Rotatable Element for Flow Rate Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic fluid delivery devices lack accurate and user-friendly methods to measure and indicate fluid flow rates, particularly in applications like cancer treatment where precise delivery is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic fluid delivery device is designed with a rotatable element, such as a pinion gear or wheel, that rotates as the plunger is depressed, allowing for the measurement of rotation speed and calculation of fluid flow rate. This device can visually indicate the flow rate using mechanical mechanisms or sensors, ensuring accurate and sterile fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotatable element is added to measure rotation speed for calculating fluid flow rate, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A rotatable element (pinion gear or wheel) is introduced as an intermediary mechanical component that converts the linear motion of the plunger into rotational motion. This intermediary allows the system to measure flow rate indirectly through rotation speed, achieving precise measurement without directly measuring fluid flow, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of fluid flow with an optical or electronic sensing system that detects the rotation speed of the rotatable element. This substitution allows for more precise digital measurement while keeping the mechanical components simple, effectively resolving the contradiction by using non-mechanical sensing methods.
2Reliability
If flow rate measurement system is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the rotation speed of the rotatable element is continuously monitored and used to calculate and display the fluid flow rate in real-time. This feedback loop ensures reliable and accurate fluid delivery by allowing users to verify the actual flow rate, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity through intelligent control.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical indication mechanism is added to show rotation speed, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-coded indicators or visual displays that change based on the rotation speed of the rotatable element, providing intuitive flow rate information to the user. This use of visual signals, particularly color changes, makes the device easier to operate by allowing quick assessment of flow rate without requiring the user to interpret complex mechanical movements, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to therapeutic fluid delivery devices with features to indicate and/or measure flow rate therefrom. In an embodiment, a therapeutic fluid delivery device is included having a barrel and a plunger. The plunger is configured to move within the barrel to expel a fluid from the barrel. The therapeutic fluid delivery device can include a rotatable element, wherein movement of the plunger relative to the barrel causes the rotatable element to rotate. The therapeutic fluid delivery device can be configured to measure a rotation speed of the rotatable element. Other embodiments are also included herein.