Alternating Adhesive Patch 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 there is a need for a wearable device that can automatically deliver drugs over time, especially for medications with poor absorption or requiring frequent administration.
Innovation Solution
A repeater system for controlling medical devices that includes circuitry for signal reception and transmission between wearable medical devices and a user interface, allowing for remote monitoring and control, along with an adhesive patch system for securing the device to the body, and a method for filling reservoirs to prevent overfilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If portable medical devices are made smaller and lighter, then wearability and patient comfort are improved, but device complexity and malfunction rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components including a replaceable cartridge containing the therapeutic compound, a pump mechanism, and a control unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for size and reliability, while the overall device remains compact for wearability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is nested within the device housing, and the pump mechanism is integrated within the same structure. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall device volume and weight while maintaining functional integrity and reducing the number of external connections that could fail.
2Volume of moving object
If the device is made more compact, then wearability is improved, but the reservoir filling process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is pre-filled with the therapeutic compound under controlled manufacturing conditions before being sealed and integrated into the device. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex filling mechanisms within the compact device and ensures precise dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling process is extracted from the wearable device itself and performed externally during manufacturing. The cartridge is designed as a separate, self-contained unit that can be filled using standard pharmaceutical filling equipment, then integrated into the compact device structure.
3Ease of operation
If electronic control systems are added for automatic drug delivery, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates sensors that automatically monitor the therapeutic compound level in the cartridge and the pump operation status. The control system uses this feedback to automatically adjust pumping parameters and alert the user when the cartridge needs replacement, reducing the need for manual intervention and complex user interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring compound level, pump status, and delivery rate. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of delivery parameters and provides real-time status information to the user through simple indicators, maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise automatic control.
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.