Wearable Adhesive Patch Layout for Secure Drug Pump Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable medical devices for controlled release of therapeutics face challenges such as malfunction rates, size, weight, and cost, and require a solution for efficient and reliable delivery of fluids and compounds like insulin, which are not orally active due to poor absorption or require frequent administration.

Innovation Solution

A repeater system for controlling medical devices that includes circuitry for signal reception and transmission, a user interface for monitoring and control, and an adhesive patch system for secure attachment of wearable medical devices, enabling efficient and controlled delivery of fluids through a patch-sized pump with features like fault detection and alarm systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If portable medical devices are designed for controlled release of therapeutics, then drug delivery reliability is improved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug delivery reliabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate components: a reusable pump unit and disposable reservoir/cartridge assemblies. This segmentation allows the heavy battery and motor components to be reused while only lighter disposable parts are replaced, reducing overall device weight while maintaining reliability through consistent pump performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable reservoir is nested within a protective cartridge that contains all necessary components for drug storage and delivery. This nested structure consolidates multiple functions (drug storage, flow control, filtering) into a compact unit that attaches to the pump, reducing the need for separate heavy components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Extent of automation

If portable medical devices are designed for controlled release of therapeutics, then automated drug delivery is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated drug deliveryVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates automated functions (pump mechanism, battery, control circuitry) from simple disposable components (reservoir, cartridge). This allows the expensive automated portion to be manufactured once and reused, while the inexpensive disposable portions can be mass-produced through simple processes, reducing overall manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir and cartridge are designed as disposable components that can be manufactured at low cost using simple processes. After use, they are discarded and replaced, eliminating the need for expensive sterilization, maintenance, and quality control processes on the disposable portions, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If adhesive members are used to attach medical devices to the body, then device security is improved, but skin irritation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive system is divided into multiple separate adhesive members distributed across the attachment surface rather than one large continuous adhesive layer. This segmentation reduces the total adhesive contact area with any single skin region, minimizing irritation while maintaining overall attachment security through the distributed attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different adhesive members are positioned at specific locations optimized for their function: some at corners for primary attachment, others along edges for secondary securing. This local optimization allows strong attachment where needed while leaving sensitive skin areas exposed, reducing irritation while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If multiple adhesive members are used to attach medical devices, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidadhesive system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple adhesive members are integrated into a single cohesive attachment system where all adhesive members work together as one unit. The adhesive members are positioned and sized to create a unified attachment pattern that simplifies the application process while maintaining high reliability through redundant attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11712513B2Adhesive and peripheral systems and methods for medical devices

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 DEKA PRODUCTS LP

AI summary

A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.