Adhesive Patch and Repeater Layout for Wearable Pump Reliability
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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 monitoring and control systems for effective parenteral drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
A repeater system is introduced that includes circuitry for receiving and transmitting signals between wearable medical devices and a user interface, allowing for remote monitoring and control, with features like fault condition detection and alarm notifications, and an adhesive patch system for secure attachment of medical devices to the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If portable medical devices are made smaller and lighter, then patient comfort and wearability are improved, but device functionality and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The medical device system is divided into multiple independent components: a wearable patch unit containing the pump and reservoir, a separate repeater unit for signal transmission, and a remote user interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the patch can be made small and light for comfort, while the repeater provides robust communication functionality without adding weight to the wearable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
A repeater unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the wearable medical device and the remote user interface. The repeater receives signals from the patch over a given range and retransmits them over a longer range to the remote interface, enabling reliable communication without requiring the wearable device itself to have complex long-range communication capabilities that would increase its size and weight.
2Ease of operation
If remote monitoring and control capabilities are added, then patient compliance and device manageability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates monitoring and control functions into distinct components: the wearable patch contains minimal sensing and processing elements, the repeater handles signal transmission and basic processing, and the remote user interface provides comprehensive monitoring and control capabilities. This segmentation allows complex functionality to be accessed remotely without embedding that complexity in the wearable device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater serves as an intermediary that bridges the simple wearable device and the sophisticated remote interface. It performs signal reception, processing, and retransmission, enabling full remote monitoring and control capabilities while keeping the wearable portion simple and the remote interface accessible to patients and caregivers.
3Strength
If adhesive patch systems use multiple adhesive members, then device attachment security is improved, but skin irritation and discomfort may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system is segmented into multiple discrete adhesive members distributed across the patch substrate rather than using a single large adhesive area. This segmentation provides secure attachment through multiple contact points while reducing the total adhesive surface area in contact with the skin, thereby minimizing irritation and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the patch have different adhesive properties - adhesive members are strategically positioned to provide maximum attachment security at critical locations while leaving other areas with minimal or no adhesive contact. This local optimization ensures strong attachment where needed while reducing skin irritation in other areas.
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.