Wearable Infusion Pump Assembly With Optical Volume Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable infusion pump devices for delivering therapeutics are prone to malfunctions, are bulky, costly, and require frequent re-location, making them inefficient for long-term use in administering medications like insulin.
Innovation Solution
A wearable infusion pump assembly with a reusable and disposable housing system, incorporating a shape-memory actuator and optical sensors to accurately measure and deliver fluid volumes, featuring a detachable external infusion set and a remote control for user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If existing wearable infusion pump devices are used, then fluid delivery function is provided, but the devices are bulky and require frequent re-location
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into two main segments: a reusable pump unit and a disposable infusor assembly. The disposable infusor contains the reservoir and infusion set, while the reusable pump unit provides the pumping mechanism. This segmentation allows the disposable portion to be replaced without moving the entire pump system, reducing re-location frequency and extending continuous use duration.
2Reliability
If existing wearable infusion pump devices are used, then fluid delivery function is provided, but they are prone to malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The infusor assembly containing the reservoir, infusion set, and associated components is designed as a disposable unit. After a specified period or volume of use, the entire infusor is discarded and replaced with a new one. This eliminates the need for complex maintenance, sterilization, and component replacement procedures, significantly reducing malfunction rates while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
3Reliability
If existing wearable infusion pump devices are used, then fluid delivery function is provided, but they are costly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into reusable and disposable components, the expensive pump mechanism with its precision electronics and motors is reused multiple times. Only the simpler, less expensive infusor components (reservoir, tubing, connectors) are discarded. This dramatically reduces the cost per use compared to disposing of entire pump units, making the system more cost-effective while maintaining high reliability through consistent manufacturing of standardized disposable units.
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 system provides reliable, efficient, and user-friendly delivery of medications over extended periods, reducing the need for frequent re-location and minimizing malfunctions, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a shape-memory actuator
Implementation Method 2
optical sensors to accurately measure and deliver fluid volumes
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid, and an external infusion set configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user. A fluid delivery system is configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to the external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a volume sensor assembly, and a pump assembly for extracting a quantity of infusible fluid from the reservoir and providing the quantity of infusible fluid to the volume sensor assembly. The volume sensor assembly is configured to determine the volume of at least a portion of the quantity of fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes at least one optical sensor assembly configured to sense the movement of the pump assembly, a first valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir, and a second valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the volume sensor assembly from the external infusion set.