Wearable Pumping Chamber With Shape-Memory Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parenteral drug delivery devices are bulky, costly, and prone to malfunctions, making it difficult to administer therapeutic compounds at the desired schedule, especially for medications that require frequent dosing.

Innovation Solution

A wearable fluid delivery system with a pumping chamber and a force application assembly that restricts retrograde flow and pressurizes the chamber using a shape-memory actuator, combined with a tortuous flow-impeding conduit and passive valves for unidirectional flow, allowing for controlled release of therapeutic fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If portable devices for controlled release of therapeutics are designed with electronic control and reservoir systems, then automated drug delivery is achieved, but device size, weight, cost, and malfunction rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated drug deliveryVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a mechanically actuated pump mechanism. A flexible membrane pump is driven by mechanical compression forces applied to a reservoir, eliminating the need for electronic motors, circuits, and control systems while maintaining automated fluid delivery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the electronic control subsystem from the device architecture. By using purely mechanical components for pump actuation and flow control, the design removes heavy electronic infrastructure while retaining the essential function of controlled therapeutic delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Extent of automation

If portable devices for controlled release of therapeutics are designed with electronic control and reservoir systems, then automated drug delivery is achieved, but device complexity and malfunction rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated drug deliveryVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses passive mechanical elements such as flexible membranes and compression springs that automatically perform pump actuation without requiring electronic control circuits, sensors, or power management systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a force application assembly restricts retrograde flow and pressurizes the pumping chamber in a single mechanical action, then pumping efficiency is improved, but mechanical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the retrograde flow restriction function and the pressurization function into a single integrated force application assembly. The same mechanical compression force that pressurizes the pumping chamber also simultaneously restricts retrograde flow through the inlet line, eliminating the need for separate valve mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The force application assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it pressurizes the pumping chamber to drive fluid forward, restricts retrograde flow through the inlet line, and acts as a mechanical actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 a compact, reliable, and cost-effective method for administering drugs over time, reducing malfunctions and ensuring consistent delivery schedules.

Implementation Method 1

using a shape-memory actuator. Also optionally, using the shape-memory actuator includes inducing a phase change in a shape memory wire to transmit a force around a pulley to the force application assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS12409268B2Pumping fluid delivery systems and methods using force application assembly

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 DEKA PRODUCTS LP

AI summary

A method of dispensing a therapeutic fluid from a line includes providing an inlet line connectable to an upstream fluid source. The inlet line is in downstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a pump outlet. The method also includes actuating a force application assembly so as to restrict retrograde flow of fluid through the inlet while pressurizing the pumping chamber to urge flow through the pump outlet. A corresponding system employs the method.