Variable Force Spring Fluid Dispenser for Uniform Medicament Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices for ambulatory patients are cumbersome, imprecise, and require constant monitoring, making them unsuitable for remote treatment due to reliance on gravity flow methods and the need for bed confinement.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable fluid delivery device utilizing a variable force spring with a pre-stressed strip of spring material that varies in cross-sectional mass along its length, providing a constant fluid flow rate through a collapsible reservoir and aseptically sealed container, allowing for precise control and uniform dispensing of medicaments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gravity flow methods are used for medicament delivery, then the device structure is simple, but the delivery precision is poor and constant monitoring is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-based mechanical flow system with a spring-driven mechanical propulsion system. The spring mechanism provides controlled force to push fluid through the delivery system, enabling precise flow rate control while eliminating the need for complex monitoring infrastructure associated with gravity flow methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a spring with variable force characteristics where the force output changes as the spring compresses. This parameter change in force output allows the system to maintain consistent fluid delivery pressure throughout the dispensing process, achieving precise delivery without requiring complex electronic monitoring systems.
2Ease of operation
If gravity flow methods are used, then no additional energy source is needed, but the patient requires bed confinement and constant monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is a self-contained energy source that automatically propels the fluid without requiring external power sources, pumps, or active monitoring. The system serves itself by using the spring's stored mechanical energy to drive the entire delivery process, enabling patient mobility while maintaining reliable operation.
3Force
If a standard constant force spring is used, then the spring structure is simple, but the force output varies non-linearly during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is designed with non-uniform coil spacing where different sections of the spring have different coil densities. This local variation in spring structure creates distinct force zones that compensate for the non-linear compression behavior, delivering a more consistent force output throughout the compression stroke while maintaining a relatively simple overall spring design.
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 device ensures reliable, uniform, and precise dispensing of medicaments, is easy to use, transportable, and cost-effective, addressing the limitations of traditional gravity flow methods by providing a compact, lightweight, and reliable solution for ambulatory patients.
Implementation Method 1
a stored energy source operably associated with the carriage assembly for moving the carriage assembly between the first and second positions. The stored energy source is cooperatively associated with the collapsible container of the device and functions to deliver a variable force to the container that tends to urge fluid flow therefrom at a substantially constant rate.
Implementation Method 2
an elongated, pre-stressed strip of spring material that is formed into coils and exhibits a cross-sectional mass that varies along its length
Data Source
AI summary
A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as antibiotics, blood clotting agents, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from collapsible containers at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a novel stored energy source that is provided in the form of a compressible-expandable member that functions to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the apparatus reservoir. The apparatus further includes a novel fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solutions from the apparatus reservoir to the patient.