Vial Supporter Recesses Align Medicament Cartridge

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for filling medicament cartridges in medical pumps are awkward for users due to the lack of a stable and secure support system for the vial and cartridge, leading to potential misalignment and complexity during the filling process.

Innovation Solution

A vial supporter device with a tray-like body featuring recesses to securely hold the medicament cartridge, tubing, interconnect fitting, and vial adapter, providing a visual indication for proper alignment and simplifying the filling process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually hold the cartridge, container, and adapters during filling, then flexibility in positioning is maintained, but operational complexity and difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cartridge filling operationVSAvoidcomplexity of filling procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A filling device is introduced as an intermediary tool between the user and the filling task. The device includes a holder that secures the cartridge and a support structure that holds the container, eliminating the need for users to manually position all components. The device simplifies the filling operation by providing automated positioning and alignment features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling device is divided into separate functional modules: a holder component for securing the cartridge, a support structure for holding the container, and alignment features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system easier to operate while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If flexible tubing is used to extend from the cartridge body, then adaptability is maintained, but stability and support for the vial are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of cartridge and vial positioningVSAvoidflexibility of tubing configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a flexible tubing holder that can accommodate various tubing configurations. The holder structure is designed to securely hold the flexible tubing while maintaining stability during the filling process. The combination of rigid support structures and flexible tubing accommodation provides both stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If users carefully hold all components during filling, then positioning precision is maintained, but the filling process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of component alignmentVSAvoidtime required for filling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The holder and support structure are pre-configured with alignment features and positioning mechanisms before the filling process begins. The cartridge is pre-secured in the holder, and the container is pre-positioned on the support structure, eliminating the need for users to carefully adjust all components during filling. This preliminary arrangement ensures precise alignment while reducing the time required for the actual filling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250195748A1Vial supporter for medicament pump

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 TANDEM DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

Devices and methods for filling a medicament cartridge of a pump, including a user-wearable, ambulatory infusion pump. A device for supporting a medicament cartridge can comprise a body portion resembling a tray, with recesses disposed therein to support one or more of a cartridge body, cartridge tubing, interconnect fitting, and vial adapter. The recesses of the tray may be shaped to correspond to that component intended to be placed in its respective recess so to provide a visual indication to a user how to couple and align the various components necessary to fill the cartridge.