Wearable Infusion Pump Assembly With Trajectory Recalculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable and wearable infusion pump devices for delivering therapeutic fluids face challenges such as high malfunction rates, size, weight, and cost issues, as well as frequent re-location requirements for skin application, while also struggling to maintain consistent drug delivery schedules.
Innovation Solution
A wearable infusion pump system that includes a controller for calculating and adjusting delivery trajectories and schedules based on real-time volume measurements, utilizing a pump driven by a shape memory alloy and a volume sensor assembly with acoustic energy emission to monitor fluid delivery, ensuring accurate and efficient delivery of infusible fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing portable infusion pump devices are used, then fluid delivery function is provided, but malfunction rate is high and reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pump components with a shape memory alloy actuator that uses thermal-mechanical properties to drive fluid delivery. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts and mechanical failure points, directly addressing the high malfunction rate while maintaining the essential pumping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs shape memory alloy materials that change their physical parameters (shape, stiffness) in response to temperature changes. This parameter change mechanism enables reliable actuation without complex control systems, improving reliability while managing device complexity through material-level solutions rather than system-level complexity.
2Ease of operation
If wearable infusion pump design is implemented, then portability is improved, but device size and weight remain challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thin-film nature of shape memory alloy actuators to create a compact, lightweight pump design. These flexible, thin-film components enable wearable form factor while minimizing weight, allowing the device to be comfortably worn on the body without significant burden.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing traditional heavy mechanical pumps with shape memory alloy-based actuation, the patent achieves significant weight reduction. The solid-state, vibration-free operation of shape memory alloys eliminates the need for heavy motors, gears, and other mechanical components, directly addressing the weight challenge while maintaining portability.
3Reliability
If traditional fluid delivery scheduling is used, then simple control is maintained, but consistent drug delivery schedule cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that monitor fluid delivery in real-time and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the pump to detect and correct delivery variations, ensuring consistent drug delivery schedules while using relatively simple control logic to process the feedback information and adjust actuation parameters accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the shape memory alloy actuator, adjusting heating parameters in real-time based on delivery requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain consistent delivery schedules by adapting to varying conditions, achieving reliable drug delivery without requiring overly complex control systems.
4Measurement precision
If accurate volume measurement is implemented, then delivery precision is improved, but measurement system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic volume measurement systems with acoustic measurement techniques. By using sound wave propagation characteristics to determine fluid volume, the system achieves high measurement precision without the complexity of traditional displacement sensors, capacitive sensors, or other sophisticated measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to measure fluid volume indirectly. Rather than directly measuring physical dimensions or electrical properties of the fluid, the system uses acoustic wave characteristics (speed, attenuation, resonance) as an intermediary parameter that correlates with volume, achieving precise measurement through a simpler, non-contact method.
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 accurate delivery of therapeutic fluids, reducing malfunction rates and improving patient compliance by automating fluid delivery schedules and minimizing device size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a pump driven by a shape memory alloy
Implementation Method 2
a volume sensor assembly with acoustic energy emission to monitor fluid delivery
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivery of a volume of infusible fluid. The system includes a controller configured to calculate a trajectory for delivering infusible fluid, the trajectory comprising at least one volume of fluid, and determine a schedule for delivering the at least one volume of fluid according to the trajectory, wherein the schedule comprising an interval and a volume of infusible fluid for delivery. The system also includes a volume sensor assembly for determining the at least one volume of fluid delivered, wherein the controller recalculates the trajectory based on the volume of fluid delivered.