Adjustable Insertion Device with Variable Force Tensioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insertion devices for medical devices, such as infusion sets and analyte sensors, often apply a pre-determined force that may not be sufficient for users with thicker skin or too forceful for others, leading to inconsistent and potentially painful installations.
Innovation Solution
The insertion device features a variable force mechanism, allowing users to adjust the force applied during the installation of transcutaneous elements through a tensioner system, ensuring a customizable and comfortable installation process for a wide range of patient body types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pre-determined force is applied during installation, then the installation process is simple, but the force may be insufficient for users with thicker skin or too forceful for others
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion device employs a spring mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of insertion force. The spring can be compressed to different degrees before insertion, enabling the force applied during insertion to vary based on patient needs. This transforms a static, fixed-force device into a dynamic, adjustable-force device, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and force adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical parameter of force by allowing users to adjust the spring compression level. By modifying the initial compression of the spring, the insertion force can be adjusted to suit different patient body types and skin thicknesses, while maintaining a simple operational interface.
2Device complexity
If a fixed force is applied during installation, then the device structure is simple, but patient comfort varies across different body types
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-based force adjustment mechanism adds minimal structural complexity while enabling significant improvement in patient comfort. The dynamic nature of the spring allows it to adapt to different insertion requirements without requiring multiple specialized devices, thus minimizing added complexity while maximizing comfort benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables patients to self-adjust the insertion force by compressing the spring to their preferred degree before insertion. This self-service capability allows patients to control the force applied to their own bodies, improving comfort without requiring complex control systems or professional intervention.
3Productivity
If a pre-determined insertion force is used, then the installation process is rapid, but consistent deployment cannot be achieved across different patient body types
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable spring mechanism maintains rapid installation speed while improving deployment consistency. By allowing quick adjustment of the spring compression level before each insertion, the device can be optimized for each specific patient's anatomical characteristics, ensuring consistent and reliable deployment across diverse body types without sacrificing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the force parameter dynamically before each insertion based on patient-specific requirements. This parameter adjustment ensures that the insertion force is optimized for each patient's body type, achieving consistent deployment reliability while maintaining rapid installation through simple pre-insertion adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables users to select an appropriate force for the installation of medical devices, improving patient comfort and ensuring consistent deployment of transcutaneous elements, regardless of individual anatomical variations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic installation element configured to apply a force to the installation surface so as to bring the installation surface into contact with the medical device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an insertion device for installation of a medical device comprising a transcutaneous element. The insertion device includes a device holder for holding the medical device. The insertion device also includes an installation surface configured to contact the medical device so as to deploy the transcutaneous element of the medical device. The insertion device also includes an elastic installation element configured to apply a force to the installation surface so as to bring the installation surface into contact with the medical device. The insertion device also includes a tensioner configured to adjust the force applied by the elastic installation element to the installation surface.