Vacuum-Driven Syringe Infuser for MRI-Compatible Medicament Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion systems for delivering medicaments require electric power, are complex, costly, and prone to errors due to reliance on electromechanical components, and cannot be used near MRI scanners or in situations where continuous power is not available.
Innovation Solution
A non-electric, compact infusion device that uses a vacuum or resistance force to drive a syringe, allowing for reliable and controlled delivery of medicaments without the need for external power, featuring a reciprocating arm with a sliding sealed piston and a handle for easy operation, and a stopcock valve for flexible flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic infusion pump is used to deliver medicament, then infusion control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic motor-driven plunger system with a purely mechanical spring-loaded plunger mechanism. The spring provides the driving force for plunger movement, eliminating the need for motors, controllers, and electronic sensors. This mechanical substitution maintains infusion control capability while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the electronic power supply system (motor, controller, battery, AC adapter) from the infusion pump. By taking out these complex electronic components and retaining only the essential mechanical elements (spring, plunger, flow regulator), the system achieves simplified operation while preserving core infusion functionality.
2Measurement precision
If an electronic infusion pump is used, then infusion rate control is improved, but reliability decreases due to power dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic motor system with a mechanical spring system that does not require external power. The spring is pre-loaded to provide consistent mechanical force throughout the infusion cycle, ensuring reliable operation independent of power supply status. This eliminates the risk of pump failure due to power interruption or electronic malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism is self-sustaining and does not require external power input during operation. The spring automatically recharges by utilizing the elastic potential energy stored during the infusion cycle, enabling continuous reliable operation without batteries or AC power. The system serves itself by converting mechanical energy cyclically without external intervention.
3Device complexity
If a spring-loaded plunger mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but force application consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spring mechanism that automatically adjusts to maintain consistent force application. The spring is designed with appropriate stiffness and pre-load to provide uniform plunger movement throughout the infusion cycle. The mechanical system dynamically compensates for variations in fluid viscosity and pressure to maintain stable force delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes spring parameters (stiffness, pre-load force, compression distance) to achieve consistent force application. By carefully selecting spring constants and initial conditions, the system maintains stable plunger movement despite variations in infusion conditions. The spring force is tuned to compensate for friction and fluid resistance variations.
4Device complexity
If gravity-fed infusion is used, then device simplicity is improved, but infusion rate control flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic spring mechanism that can be adjusted to provide different infusion rates. The spring pre-load and stiffness can be modified to achieve various flow rates, offering flexibility in infusion rate control while maintaining mechanical simplicity. The system can adapt to different patient requirements without requiring complex electronic controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables infusion rate adjustment by changing spring parameters such as pre-load force and compression distance. These parameter modifications allow the same simple mechanical device to deliver different infusion rates by adjusting the spring characteristics, providing versatility without increasing overall system 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 solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and error-reduced method for medicament delivery that does not require external power, is compatible with MRI environments, and allows for flexible operation and integration with standard syringes and IV administration sets.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum or other resistance force may be utilized to energize and activate the arm 40 and driver 50
Implementation Method 2
This space can thus reliably hold a vacuum therein to provide a resistance force tending to cause the arm to move into the chamber (incursion) unless sufficient opposing forces are applied
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly is provided which includes an infusion device coupled to a standard medication syringe. The medication syringe may be coupled to a stopcock valvehaving multiple ports and to which syringes, vial adapters, infusion tubing, and multiple other items may be coupled. The infusion deviceincludes a source of power based on a resistance force such as vacuum, spring or gas power. The infusion device converts the resistance based force to usable work in the form of a force applicator. The force applicator includes a driver section on one section of a reciprocating arm and an attachment to the power source on another section of the arm. The driver is pulled outward (excursion) to increase the size of the chamber, creating a force that tends to return the driver back inward,causing incursion. The drivercan be attached removably to the syringe plunger to induce the infusion process.