Alternating Adhesive Patch Layout for Wearable 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 improved methods for fluid delivery and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A repeater system for 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
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 is divided into separate modular components: a reusable controller unit and disposable fluid delivery modules. This segmentation allows the heavy battery and electronics to be concentrated in the reusable unit while the disposable portions remain lightweight, maintaining reliability through modular replacement of wear-prone components.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable fluid delivery module is designed to be inserted into and nested within the reusable controller unit. This nesting arrangement allows the compact integration of multiple functional components within a small form factor while maintaining full device functionality through the nested configuration.
2Measurement precision
If electronic control systems are added to improve fluid delivery precision, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A microprocessor-based control system acts as an intermediary between the user interface and the fluid delivery mechanism. This intermediary layer provides precise electronic control of dosing parameters while isolating the complex electronics from the simple fluid delivery components, managing overall system complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable controller unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different disposable fluid delivery modules for various therapeutic applications. This multi-functionality allows the expensive electronic control system to be amortized across different drug delivery applications, reducing per-application cost while maintaining dosing precision.
3Strength
If adhesive strength is increased to ensure secure attachment, then device stability is improved, but skin irritation and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system uses different adhesive compositions in different regions of the patch: stronger adhesives at the perimeter for secure attachment and softer, more breathable adhesives in the central area contacting the skin. This local quality differentiation provides both secure attachment and reduced skin irritation through region-specific adhesive properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive patch employs a composite structure combining multiple adhesive layers with different properties: a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer for initial attachment, a hypoallergenic barrier layer to reduce skin irritation, and a breathable porous layer to allow skin gas exchange. This composite material approach balances adhesive strength with skin comfort.
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.