Wearable Pump Infusion System Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ambulatory IV pump systems require frequent intervention by healthcare professionals for drug container installation and pump reprogramming, leading to increased costs and logistical challenges, especially for patients in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable ambulatory pump system with separable housing components, including a reusable pump housing and a disposable drug holder, allows patients to self-install drug containers and IV lines, reducing the need for healthcare professional involvement and minimizing system costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional IV pump systems are used with integrated drug containers, then flow control precision is maintained, but device weight and complexity increase, requiring healthcare professional intervention for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a reusable pump unit and disposable drug containers (vials or bottles). The pump housing contains the motor, control circuitry, and flow sensor, while the drug containers are separate and can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the complex pump mechanism to be reused while simplifying the disposable portion, reducing overall system complexity for the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable drug containers (vials or bottles) that are discarded after a single use. These containers include pre-attached IV lines and connectors that are discarded with the container, eliminating the need for sterile processing and reducing infection risk. The reusable pump unit maintains precision while the disposable components handle the complex installation and sterilization requirements.
2Measurement precision
If healthcare professionals perform frequent pump reprogramming and drug container installation, then treatment accuracy is maintained, but time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to enable patients to independently change drug containers and reprogram the pump without healthcare professional assistance. The reusable pump unit features a user-friendly interface and simple container replacement procedure. Pre-programmed dosing parameters are stored in the pump memory, allowing patients to quickly swap containers and resume treatment, eliminating repeated professional interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
Dosing parameters and treatment protocols are pre-programmed into the pump unit before patient use. The pump includes pre-configured settings for flow rates, dosing schedules, and safety parameters. This preliminary configuration allows patients to simply replace containers and start treatment immediately without requiring professional reprogramming each time.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight wearable pumps are used, then patient mobility is improved, but flow control precision and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the heavy, precision-controlled pump unit from the drug container weight. The reusable pump housing contains all critical flow control mechanisms (motor, peristaltic rollers, flow sensor) and can be designed to be lightweight yet reliable. The disposable containers add minimal weight and can be easily replaced, allowing the critical pump portion to be optimized for both lightness and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable drug containers include pre-attached IV lines and connectors that are discarded after use. This eliminates the need for heavy-duty, repeatedly sterilized components in the disposable portion. The critical reliability functions (pump motor, flow sensor, control circuitry) are concentrated in the reusable unit, which can be built to higher reliability standards while remaining lightweight for patient wearability.
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 enables patients to independently manage their IV medication administration, reducing healthcare professional time and travel costs, while maintaining institutional-level flow accuracy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump having multiple plunger elements selectively engaging the central portion of the flexible IV tube to compress and release the central portion of the flexible IV tube to draw the medicament from the vial
Implementation Method 2
A hydrophobic filter is provided in the fluid communication path to permit air from the ambient environment into the vial and to prevent the medicament from exiting the opening
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A wearable pump infusion assembly includes a housing to selectively support a vial containing a medicament for delivery to a patient and a patient support member to support the housing on the patient. A bottle connector, mounted within the housing, includes a hollow needle to puncture a seal on the vial and to receive the medicament from the vial and a connector in fluid communication with the hollow needle. The wearable pump infusion assembly also includes a flexible IV tube and a peristaltic pump. The flexible IV tube has a first end connected to the connector, a second end connected to another connector, and a central portion extending between the first and second ends. The peristaltic pump includes multiple plunger elements selectively engaging the central portion of the flexible IV tube to compress and release the central portion of the flexible IV tube to draw the medicament from the vial.