Adhesive Patch and Repeater Control for Wearable Fluid Delivery
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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 improved methods for fluid delivery and monitoring.
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 to the body, enabling efficient fluid delivery and fault condition detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If portable medical devices are designed for controlled release of therapeutics, then therapeutic delivery capability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a reusable pump unit and disposable cartridges containing the therapeutic agent. This segmentation allows the heavy reservoir to be discarded after use, reducing the weight of the portable device during operation while maintaining full therapeutic delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable cartridge is designed to be inserted into and integrated with the reusable pump unit, creating a compact nested structure. This nesting approach consolidates the therapeutic delivery system into a smaller, more portable configuration while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Extent of automation
If portable medical devices include electronic control systems, then controlled release capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable cartridges that contain pre-filled therapeutic agents and simple mechanical or basic electronic components. By making the reservoir disposable rather than reusable, the system eliminates the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining controlled release capability.
3Strength
If adhesive patch systems use multiple adhesive members, then attachment security is improved, but skin irritation and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system is segmented into multiple discrete adhesive members arranged in a pattern across the patch. This segmentation distributes the adhesive load across different areas of the skin, preventing concentration of stress and irritation at any single point while maintaining overall attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the patch have different adhesive properties - the central region contains stronger adhesive members for securing the pump, while peripheral areas have lighter adhesive members for additional support. This local differentiation maintains attachment security where needed while minimizing irritation in less critical areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir for containing a fluidic medium, the reservoir including a front surface, a resilient cylindrical flexure portion connected to the front surface, the resilient cylindrical flexure portion comprising an accordion-like structure that is able to expand and contract to change an interior volume within the resilient cylindrical flexure portion, a central passageway within the resilient cylindrical flexure, and a collection chamber connected to the central passageway. Also, a system including a reservoir, a plunger head located within the reservoir, a plunger arm connected to the plunger head, a driving shaft connected to the plunger arm, and a motor connected to the driving shaft, the motor controllable to move the drive shaft in a first motion and a second motion so as to move the advance plunger head and retract the plunger head within the reservoir.