Piston drive for a continuous microdosing device and method of operation

Abstract

The application provides a piston driving device for a continuous micro-dosing device and a working method, which comprises the following steps: under the action of a control device, a force storage and release device releases a specified piston stroke, and a force storage device outputs a linear thrust to push a piston push rod device to move in a specified direction for a specified piston stroke. By adding a sufficient amount of liquid medicine into a medicine storage device, the control device obtains an injection instruction or an injection program inputted from outside, and the control device starts to control the force storage and release device to release the specified piston stroke, and the force storage device outputs a linear moment to push the piston push rod device to move in the specified direction for the specified piston stroke. The force storage device is used as a power source to push the piston by a direct pushing mode, the required pulse number is calculated according to the required dose or the distance of the piston movement, the control device is used to accurately control the force storage and release device to release the specified piston stroke, the accuracy of the dosing dose is improved, and the structure is simple and the cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and more specifically, to a piston drive device and its working method for a continuous micro-dose delivery device. Background Technology

[0002] Continuous dosing refers to administering a drug continuously every day to maintain an effective blood concentration. In current clinical practice, continuous dosing is frequently used in treatments such as endocrinology and analgesia.

[0003] Taking the treatment of diabetes as an example, there are currently two main methods for the treatment and control of diabetes: one is conventional treatment, which involves injecting insulin 1-2 times a day and monitoring blood glucose 1-2 times a day; the other is intensive treatment, which involves monitoring blood glucose multiple times a day and continuously infusing insulin in a manner that mimics the way pancreatic islet cells secrete insulin, in order to bring blood glucose as close to normal levels as possible. This method is mostly achieved using an insulin pump.

[0004] A Chinese patent application with publication number CN209984717U discloses a safe automatic insulin pen, comprising an insulin cartridge, a needle, a cartridge housing, an injection unit, a control unit, and a push rod unit for removing the needle. The injection unit includes an injection housing, a lead screw and nut assembly, a piston pusher, and a first base for mounting a nut to the lead screw and nut assembly, the outer ring of which is provided with gear teeth. The control unit includes a control housing, a motor, a motor gear, and a second base for mounting the motor gear, the outer ring of which is provided with gear teeth, the gear teeth meshing with the gear teeth on the nut of the lead screw and nut assembly. The push rod unit is disposed outside the cartridge housing.

[0005] Existing insulin pens use an electric motor as a power source for drug injection, which results in high manufacturing costs and low drug delivery accuracy, and therefore requires improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a piston drive device and its operating method for a continuous micro-dose delivery device.

[0007] According to the present invention, a piston drive device and working method for a continuous micro-dose delivery device includes a power storage device, a power storage release device, a piston push rod device, and a control device; under the action of the control device, the power storage release device releases a specified piston stroke, and the power storage device outputs a linear thrust to drive the piston push rod device to move the piston stroke in a specified direction.

[0008] Preferably, the piston push rod device includes a piston body, one end of the power storage device is connected to the piston body, the other end of the power storage device is connected to the housing of the drive device, and the power storage device is in a power storage state.

[0009] Preferably, the energy storage device includes an elastic element, the extension and retraction direction of the elastic element is the direction of force release of the energy storage device, and the extension and retraction direction of the elastic element is in the same direction as the specified direction.

[0010] Preferably, the energy storage and release device includes a rotary magnetic brake assembly and a coupling assembly; the rotary magnetic brake assembly includes a fixed coil and a rotatably arranged permanent magnet, the permanent magnet being radially magnetized, the magnetic field generated by the fixed coil interacting with the radial magnetic field of the permanent magnet to drive the permanent magnet to rotate or be positioned, and an output gear fixedly arranged on the permanent magnet; the coupling assembly includes a gear set, the output gear meshing with the transmission starting gear of the gear set, the transmission ending gear of the gear set being provided with a winding wheel, the winding wheel being wound with a pull wire, the pull wire extending along the extension and retraction direction of the elastic element to the piston push rod device and connecting to the piston push rod device at one end away from the piston push rod device.

[0011] Preferably, the winding wheel is coaxially and fixedly connected to the transmission end gear.

[0012] Preferably, the transmission gear is disposed on one radial side of the power storage device, and a guide post is disposed on the housing. The guide post is located on the side of the power storage device away from the piston body. The pull wire first passes around the guide post and then extends along the force release direction of the power storage device to the piston body and connects to the piston body.

[0013] Preferably, the pull wire passes coaxially through the power storage device.

[0014] Preferably, the gear set includes a transmission start-end gear, a transmission end gear, and an intermediate transmission gear. The transmission start-end gear is connected to the drive assembly, and the intermediate transmission gear is connected to the transmission start-end gear and the transmission end gear.

[0015] Preferably, any of the transmission starting gear, transmission ending gear, and intermediate transmission gear are rotatably connected to the housing via a rotating shaft.

[0016] According to the present invention, a method for operating a piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device includes the following steps:

[0017] Step S1: Add sufficient liquid medicine to the medicine storage device;

[0018] Step S2: The control device receives an externally input injection command or injection program;

[0019] Step S3: The control device starts the control of the power storage and release device to release the specified piston stroke. The power storage device outputs a linear torque to push the piston push rod device to move the specified piston stroke in the specified direction.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. This invention uses a power storage device as a power source to drive the piston through direct push. The required number of pulses is calculated based on the dosage to be infused or the distance the piston moves. The power storage device is then precisely controlled by the control device to release the specified piston stroke, which helps to improve the accuracy of the drug delivery dosage. It also has a simple structure and low cost.

[0022] 2. In this invention, the transmission end gear of the power storage and release device rotates at a certain angle to release a certain length of pull wire. Under the force of the power storage device, the piston body can move a certain length into the drug storage device, thereby realizing the quantitative injection of the drug liquid.

[0023] 3. This invention uses an electromagnetically driven drive component as the power source for the energy storage and release device. With the help of a gear set, the small force of the electromagnetically driven drive component can be used to control a larger force in the energy storage device, which helps to reduce costs. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the piston drive device, which is the main feature of this invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is an exploded view illustrating the overall structure of the drive component, which is the main feature of this invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view that mainly illustrates the overall structure of the drive component in this invention.

[0028] As shown in the figure:

[0029] Energy storage and release device 1, transmission starting end gear 122

[0030] Rotary magnetic brake assembly 11 Transmission end gear 123

[0031] Fixed coil 111, winding reel 124

[0032] Permanent magnet 112, pull wire 125

[0033] Output gear 113 Guide post 127

[0034] Magnetic sheet 114 Power storage device 2

[0035] Limiting hole 115, compression spring 21

[0036] Coupling assembly 12 Piston body 31

[0037] Gear set 121, housing 8 Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, a piston drive device and its working method for a continuous micro-dose delivery device according to the present invention include a power storage device 2, a power storage release device 1, a piston push rod device, and a control device. Under the action of the control device, the power storage release device 1 releases a specified piston stroke, and the power storage device 2 outputs a linear thrust to drive the piston push rod device to move the piston stroke in a specified direction.

[0040] The specified direction in this application is the direction of movement of the piston body 31 in the piston push rod device. The specified piston stroke in this application is the injection command issued by the operator to the control device through information transmission methods such as Bluetooth communication. After receiving the injection command, the control device sends a corresponding electrical pulse to the power storage and release device 1 to release the specified piston stroke.

[0041] Specifically, the injection device also includes a housing 8, which serves as the mounting base for the components on the injection device and has a certain structural strength. The energy storage and release device 1 includes a rotary magnetic brake assembly 11 and a coupling assembly 12. The rotary magnetic brake assembly 11 is electrically connected to the control device. The rotary magnetic brake assembly 11 controls the piston stroke of the piston push rod device through the coupling assembly 12. The energy storage device 2 outputs linear thrust to the piston push rod device.

[0042] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, more specifically, the rotary magnetic brake assembly 11 includes a fixed coil 111 and a rotatably mounted permanent magnet 112. The permanent magnet 112 is radially magnetized. The magnetic field generated by the fixed coil 111 interacts with the radial magnetic field of the permanent magnet 112, causing the permanent magnet 112 to rotate or be positioned. An output gear 113 is fixedly mounted on the permanent magnet 112. The fixed coil 111 includes a coil and a fixed bracket. The coil is wound on the fixed bracket, which is fixedly mounted on the housing 8 by fasteners. A magnetic conductive sheet 114 is also fixedly mounted on the housing 8 by fasteners. The magnetic conductive sheet 114 is provided with a limiting hole 115 that allows the permanent magnet 112 to rotate and be positioned. The permanent magnet 112 is cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical permanent magnet 112 is placed in the limiting hole 115 and is rotatably mounted on the housing 8 through a coaxially arranged rotating shaft. The magnetic sheet 114 can be used to generate an alternating magnetic field. The magnetic field generated by the fixed coil 111 can interact with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 112, causing the permanent magnet 112 to rotate at a certain angle, especially 180 degrees. The output gear 113 is coaxially and firmly mounted on the permanent magnet 112. The rotation of the permanent magnet 112 can drive the output gear 113 to rotate.

[0043] It should be noted that the rotary magnetic brake assembly 11 of this application can also be a magnetic brake, electromagnetic swing fork or electromagnetic ring, etc., which are capable of outputting torque in the prior art.

[0044] The control device includes a circuit board, on which a communication module, a data processing module, a data storage module, and a signal conversion module are integrated. The signal conversion module and the communication module are electrically connected, and the circuit board is electrically connected to the fixed coil 111. The communication module of the control device can receive wired or wireless infusion command signals or infusion programs from the outside. According to the received infusion information, the data processing module can automatically control the signal conversion module to generate corresponding electrical pulse signals as needed. The electrical pulse signals are transmitted to the fixed coil 111 to control the permanent magnet 112 to rotate a certain angle, thereby controlling the output gear 113 to rotate a certain angle.

[0045] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the coupling assembly 12 includes a gear set 121, which comprises multiple meshing gear structures. Each gear in the gear set 121 is rotatably connected to the housing 8 via a rotating shaft. The gear set 121 includes at least one transmission starting gear 122 and at least one transmission ending gear 123. The output gear 113 meshes with the transmission starting gear 122 of the gear set 121. At least one intermediate transmission gear is provided between the transmission starting gear 122 and the transmission ending gear 123. The intermediate transmission gear meshes with the transmission starting gear 122 and another intermediate transmission gear, or with the transmission ending gear 123 and another intermediate transmission gear, or with two other intermediate transmission gears.

[0046] The energy storage device 2 includes an elastic element in a compressed state. The elastic element in this application outputs a linear thrust and can be an elastic device capable of storing potential energy, such as a compression spring 21, a rubber band, or a compressed air spring. In this embodiment, a compression spring 21 is preferred. It should be noted that the extension / retraction direction of the elastic element is the direction of force release from the energy storage device 2, and the extension / retraction direction of the elastic element is in the same direction as the specified direction.

[0047] A winding wheel 124 is coaxially mounted on the transmission end gear 123 of the gear set 121. A pull wire 125 is wound on the winding wheel 124. The end of the pull wire 125 away from the piston push rod device extends along the extension and contraction direction of the compression spring 21 to the piston push rod device and connects to it. The gear set 121 can convert the rotation angle of the output gear 113 into the linear motion stroke of the pull wire 125 at a certain ratio. When it is necessary to inject medicine, the user sends a specific infusion command to the control device. After receiving the specific infusion command, the control device sends a corresponding electrical pulse signal to the fixed coil 111, causing the permanent magnet 112 and the output gear 113 to rotate at a certain angle. The output gear 113 releases a certain length of pull wire 125 through the gear set 121 to release the specified piston stroke. At this time, the specified piston stroke and the length of the released pull wire 125 are the same.

[0048] Furthermore, the gear set 121 and the compression spring 21 are arranged side by side, and the housing 8 is provided with a guide post 127. The guide post 127 is located on the side of the compression spring 21 away from the piston push rod device. The pull line 125 on the take-up reel first passes around the guide post 127 and then extends along the extension and retraction direction of the compression spring 21 to the piston push rod device and connects with the piston push rod device.

[0049] The piston pusher device includes a piston body 31, and the drug storage device includes a drug storage cavity. The piston body 31 extends into the drug storage cavity and slides against the inner wall of the cavity. A dynamic seal is provided between the piston body 31 and the inner wall of the cavity to prevent the drug from leaking out from the connection between the piston body 31 and the cavity. The direction of movement of the piston body 31 within the cavity is parallel to the extension and retraction direction of the compression spring 21. The compression spring 21 is connected to or pressed against the piston body 31. Because the compression spring 21 is in a compressed state, it stores sufficient elastic potential energy. When the gear set 121 releases a certain length of the pull wire 125, the piston body 31 can move a certain length into the cavity under the action of the compression spring 21. It should be noted that the cross-sectional area of ​​the drug storage cavity can be determined during processing. When the piston body 31 moves a certain length into the drug storage cavity, the volume of the drug liquid discharged when the piston body 31 moves a certain length into the drug storage cavity can be calculated, thereby realizing the quantitative infusion of the drug liquid and helping to improve the accuracy of drug liquid infusion.

[0050] By means of gear set 121, the small force of the rotary magnetic brake assembly 11 can be used to control a larger force of the energy storage device 2. Under the same clinical requirements, compared with servo motors and shape memory alloys, the cost of the technical solution of this application is greatly reduced, and the power consumption required is only one-tenth or even one-hundredth, which can greatly reduce the cost of purchasing medical equipment for patients and reduce battery consumption and pollution.

[0051] The present invention also provides a method for operating a piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0052] Step S1: Add sufficient liquid medicine to the medicine storage device;

[0053] Step S2: The control device receives an externally input injection command or injection program;

[0054] Step S3: The control device starts the control of the power storage and release device 1 to release the specified piston stroke, and the power storage device 2 outputs linear torque to push the piston push rod device to move the specified piston stroke in the specified direction.

[0055] When injection is required, the user can send a specific infusion command to the control device via Bluetooth or other means. After receiving the specific infusion command, the control device sends a corresponding electrical pulse signal to the fixed coil 111, causing the permanent magnet 112 and the output gear 113 to rotate at a certain angle. The output gear 113 releases a certain length of pull wire 125 through the gear set 121 to release the specified piston stroke. At this time, the specified piston stroke and the length of the release pull wire 125 are the same. The compression spring 21, which is in a compressed state, resets and pushes the piston push rod device to move into the drug storage device for the specified piston stroke, thus completing the quantitative injection.

[0056] Those skilled in the art will understand that, besides implementing the system and its various devices, modules, and units provided by this invention in the form of purely computer-readable program code, the same functions can be achieved entirely through logical programming of the method steps, making the system and its various devices, modules, and units of this invention function in the form of logic gates, switches, application-specific integrated circuits, programmable logic controllers, and embedded microcontrollers. Therefore, the system and its various devices, modules, and units provided by this invention can be considered as a hardware component, and the devices, modules, and units included therein for implementing various functions can also be considered as structures within the hardware component; alternatively, the devices, modules, and units for implementing various functions can be considered as both software modules implementing the method and structures within the hardware component.

[0057] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0058] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device, characterized in that, It includes a power storage device (2), a power storage release device (1), a piston rod device, and a control device; Under the control of the control device, the power release device (1) releases the specified piston stroke, and the power storage device (2) outputs linear thrust to push the piston rod device to move the specified piston stroke in the specified direction.

2. The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The piston push rod device includes a piston body (31), one end of the power storage device (2) is connected to the piston body (31), the other end of the power storage device (2) is connected to the housing (8) of the drive device, and the power storage device (2) is in a power storage state.

3. The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The power storage device (2) includes an elastic element, the extension and retraction direction of the elastic element is the force release direction of the power storage device (2), and the extension and retraction direction of the elastic element is in the same direction as the specified direction.

4. The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The energy storage and release device (1) includes a rotary magnetic brake assembly (11) and a coupling assembly (12); The rotary magnetic brake assembly (11) includes a fixed coil (111) and a rotatably mounted permanent magnet (112). The permanent magnet (112) is radially magnetized. The magnetic field generated by the fixed coil (111) interacts with the radial magnetic field of the permanent magnet (112) to drive the permanent magnet (112) to rotate or be positioned. An output gear (113) is fixedly mounted on the permanent magnet (112). The coupling assembly (12) includes a gear set (121), the output gear (113) meshes with the transmission start end gear (122) of the gear set (121), and a winding wheel (124) is provided on the transmission end gear (123) of the gear set (121). A pull wire (125) is wound on the winding wheel (124), and the pull wire (125) extends from the end of the elastic element away from the piston push rod device along the extension and retraction direction of the elastic element to the piston push rod device and is connected to the piston push rod device.

5. The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The winding wheel (124) is coaxially and fixedly connected to the transmission end gear (123).

6. The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The transmission gear is located on one side of the energy storage device (2) in the radial direction, and a guide post (127) is provided on the housing (8). The guide post (127) is located on the side of the energy storage device (2) away from the piston body (31). The pull wire (125) first passes around the guide post (127) and then extends along the force release direction of the power storage device (2) to the piston body (31) and connects with the piston body (31).

7. The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The pull wire (125) passes coaxially through the power storage device (2).

8. The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The gear set (121) includes a transmission start-end gear (122), a transmission end gear (123), and an intermediate transmission gear. The transmission start-end gear (122) is connected to the drive assembly, and the intermediate transmission gear is connected to the transmission start-end gear (122) and the transmission end gear (123).

9. The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned transmission starting gear (122), transmission ending gear (123), and intermediate transmission gear is rotatably connected to the housing (8) via a rotating shaft.

10. A method for operating a piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device, characterized in that, The piston drive device for a continuous micro-dose delivery device according to any one of claims 1-9, the working method includes the following steps: Step S1: Add sufficient liquid medicine to the medicine storage device; Step S2: The control device receives an externally input injection command or injection program; Step S3: The control device starts the control storage and release device (1) to release the specified piston stroke, and the storage device (2) outputs linear torque to push the piston push rod device to move the specified piston stroke in the specified direction.

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