Wearable Infusion Pump Housing for Accurate Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infusion pumps, particularly elastomeric and electric pumps, face issues with accuracy and safety due to variations in flow rate caused by environmental conditions, user error, and design flaws, leading to potential over or under dosage and increased risk of adverse health consequences.
Innovation Solution
A portable, wearable infusion device with a protective housing that includes a pump unit, computer, and fuel source, featuring a sealed design to prevent tampering and user error, and a computer programming interface that ensures consistent and accurate fluid administration through a peristaltic or syringe pump mechanism, allowing for sterilization and resistance to damage, shock, and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastomeric infusion pumps are used for portability and simplicity, then ease of operation and device portability are improved, but dosage accuracy and flow rate consistency deteriorate due to environmental sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical elastomeric pump system with an electrically driven pump mechanism controlled by a microprocessor. This substitution eliminates the environmental sensitivity of elastomeric materials while maintaining portability through battery power and compact design, thereby improving dosage accuracy without sacrificing ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion pump incorporates self-diagnostic and self-regulating capabilities through sensors and microprocessor control. The system automatically monitors and adjusts flow rate to compensate for environmental variations, eliminating the need for manual calibration and maintaining consistent dosage accuracy while preserving the simplicity of operation.
2Measurement precision
If electric infusion pumps are used to improve dosage accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional integrated circuit board that combines pump control, flow sensing, battery management, and user interface functions in a single unit. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high dosage accuracy through coordinated operation of multiple functions within a unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pump mechanism, control electronics, power supply, and housing into a single integrated assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and connections, reducing device complexity while preserving precise dosage control through integrated sensor feedback and actuator control.
3Ease of manufacture
If elastomeric pumps are used as disposable devices, then ease of manufacture and sterilization are improved, but reliability and consistency of dosage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable integrated circuit board assembly that pre-calibrates pump parameters and control algorithms during manufacturing. This approach maintains dosage consistency across all units while simplifying manufacture through standardized assembly processes, and ensures reliability by eliminating the need for field sterilization of electronic components.
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 provides a cost-effective, reliable, and accurate method for administering fluids, reducing the risk of dosage errors and adverse events by ensuring consistent flow rates and safety protocols, suitable for ambulatory use and minimizing the need for specialized personnel.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic or syringe pump mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a peristaltic or syringe pump mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments are directed to portable devices for transferring fluids from an external source and controllably infusing the fluids into a patient, particularly portable infusion pump devices, and protective housings for such devices, which include a pump unit, a computer, a portable fuel source, and a seal for securing the contents substantially within the protective housings of the device. Some embodiments may be formed as a single infusion pump unit or may be formed when two infusion pump units are engaged. Some embodiments also relate to methods of use of portable devices and method for the manufacture of portable devices and protective housings for such devices.