Segmented Adhesive Patch Pump for Stable Wearable Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable devices for controlled release of therapeutics face challenges such as malfunction rates, size, weight, and cost, and require effective parenteral routes of drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
A repeater system for controlling medical devices, including a repeater and a user interface, that receives and transmits signals to wearable medical devices, and a patch-sized pump system with an adhesive patch for affixation to the human body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If portable devices for controlled release of therapeutics are designed, then therapeutic delivery is achieved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a reusable controller unit and a disposable adhesive patch containing the reservoir and pump. This segmentation allows the heavy components (battery, electronics) to be in the reusable unit while the disposable patch remains lightweight, resolving the contradiction between functional capability and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump mechanism is nested within the adhesive patch, which itself is attached to the reusable controller unit. This nested structure integrates multiple functions (reservoir, pump, adhesive) into a compact hierarchical arrangement, achieving therapeutic delivery while minimizing overall device size and weight.
2Productivity
If portable devices for controlled release of therapeutics are designed, then therapeutic delivery is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Complex functions are segmented between the reusable controller (electronics, programming, monitoring) and the disposable patch (reservoir, pump, adhesive). This segmentation isolates complexity to specific modules, making the overall system more manageable and easier to manufacture despite functional sophistication.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive patch with reservoir and pump is designed as a disposable component that is replaced rather than repaired. This approach simplifies the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for complex repair mechanisms and reduces the burden of maintaining sophisticated components over time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive patch system is used for affixation, then device stability is improved, but skin irritation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is applied locally to specific areas of the skin rather than covering the entire patch area. This localized application maintains device stability while minimizing the total adhesive-skin contact area, thereby reducing the risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive patch is designed as a disposable component with limited wear time. This temporary nature of the adhesive application reduces cumulative skin exposure and irritation risk, while still providing adequate stability during the intended usage period.
Data Source
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.