Wearable Infusion Pump with Optical Volume Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable infusion pump devices for delivering therapeutic fluids are cumbersome, prone to malfunction, and require frequent re-location, with challenges in reducing size, weight, and cost, while maintaining effective drug delivery schedules for patients.
Innovation Solution
A wearable infusion pump assembly with a reservoir, external infusion set, and a fluid delivery system that includes a volume sensor assembly, optical sensors, and shape memory actuators for precise fluid management, enabling automatic and controlled delivery of infusible fluids over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If wearable infusion pump devices are designed to be compact and portable, then patient convenience and mobility are improved, but device reliability and malfunction resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pump device is divided into modular components including a reusable pump unit and disposable infusor assemblies. This segmentation allows the critical pump mechanism to be protected and maintained separately while the disposable portion handles fluid delivery, improving reliability without increasing overall device complexity or weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates pre-programmed integrity verification tests and backup control mechanisms that activate automatically upon detecting potential failures. This beforehand cushioning approach ensures continuous reliable operation even when components are miniaturized for portability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the infusion pump assembly is made more compact, then the need for frequent re-location is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable infusor assembly nests within the reusable pump unit, with the infusor containing the reservoir and fluid pathway in a compact configuration. This nested design maximizes the stationary duration of the complete assembly while minimizing overall device footprint and avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable infusor is pre-filled and pre-primed with medication before use, and the pump is pre-programmed with delivery schedules. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of on-site operations and allows the device to function autonomously for extended stationary periods.
3Measurement precision
If precise fluid management is implemented with volume sensors and optical sensors, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical volume measurement mechanisms are replaced with optical sensing systems that use light absorption or reflection to detect fluid volume and flow rate. This substitution maintains high measurement precision while reducing mechanical complexity and moving parts in the miniaturized device.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical intermediaries such as reflective surfaces or absorptive markers are placed within the fluid pathway to enhance sensor signals. This intermediary approach improves dosing accuracy without requiring larger or more complex sensor assemblies, keeping the device compact.
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 compact, reliable, and user-friendly system for continuous drug delivery, enhancing patient convenience and reducing the need for frequent re-location, while ensuring accurate dosing and minimizing device malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical sensor assembly configured to sense the movement of the pump assembly
Implementation Method 2
shape memory actuators for precise fluid management
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.