MEDICAL DEVICES

Infusion Pump DFMEA

An infusion pump DFMEA focuses a design review on faults that can change or interrupt therapy. Break the device into functions such as measuring flow, powering portable use and alerting the user to an occlusion. For each function, the worksheet connects a failure mode to a patient or treatment effect, its technical cause and the controls already designed into the product. High-severity effects deserve careful review even when the estimated occurrence is low. This example includes sensor drift, connector vibration, battery aging and a speaker circuit fault. It is not a substitute for a medical-device risk-management file or verification plan. Instead, it gives the cross-functional team a concise way to record design assumptions and decide which safeguards need stronger evidence.

UPDATED 2026-09-24
TYPEFmea
EXAMPLEInfusion Pump DFMEA
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CASE ANALYSIS

Scenario

A medical-device team is reviewing hazards in an infusion pump design.

Key decisions

  • Flow accuracy: Define calibration limits and test at startup.
  • Connector retention: Test vibration resistance and detect disconnection.
  • Battery warning: Alert users before remaining capacity stops therapy.
  • Alarm audibility: Verify the speaker path during self-test.

When to reuse this

Use this DFMEA to structure early design discussion; a medical device needs its own documented risk-management process.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is an infusion pump DFMEA?01
It is a design FMEA that examines pump functions, failure modes, effects, causes and controls before verification.
Why is severity high for excess medication?02
An incorrect delivered dose can cause serious patient harm, so its effect warrants a high severity rating.
Does a DFMEA replace medical-device risk management?03
No. It can support design analysis, but it does not replace the documented risk-management activities required for a device.
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