Angled Drug Infusion Set With Rotating Hub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulin infusion sets face challenges in delivering medication to the upper 3 mm of skin surface, the intradermal space, due to difficulties in maintaining needle insertion depth and susceptibility to external forces, which affects drug absorption and user comfort.
Innovation Solution
An infusion set with a movable slide member and a fixed base member that allows for angled needle insertion, mimicking the Mantoux technique, with a skin-securing adhesive layer to prevent skin tenting and ensure precise targeting of the intradermal depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle is inserted at a shallow angle to target the intradermal space (upper 3 mm of skin), then drug absorption is improved, but the needle becomes susceptible to external forces and shock affecting insertion depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second degree of freedom by allowing the hub to rotate relative to the needle axis. This enables the needle to be inserted at a shallow angle (for intradermal delivery) while the hub can orient in different directions, effectively decoupling the insertion angle from the hub orientation. The needle can remain stable in the intradermal space while the hub adapts to external forces through rotational movement.
2Measurement precision
If the skin surface is stretched during needle insertion to achieve precise intradermal targeting, then insertion precision is improved, but skin tenting occurs making targeting difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feature that pre-secures the skin surface before needle insertion. The hub includes a skin engagement surface that contacts and stabilizes the skin at the insertion site prior to needle penetration. This preliminary skin stabilization prevents tenting during the insertion process, allowing for precise intradermal targeting without the operational difficulties caused by skin deformation.
3Device complexity
If a fixed needle insertion angle is used to simplify the device design, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different skin conditions and achieve precise intradermal delivery is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid, fixed-angle needle insertion mechanism into a dynamic system where the hub can rotate and adjust its orientation relative to the needle axis. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different skin conditions and insertion angles while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The rotational degree of freedom provides versatility without requiring complex mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
An infusion set adapted to be secured to a skin surface includes a fixed base member and a movable slide member. The fixed base member is connectable to the skin surface. The movable slide member has a needle or cannula connected thereto and is movable relative to the fixed base member. The movable slide member is movable from a first position in which the needle or cannula is not exposed externally of the fixed base member to a second position in which the needle or cannula is exposed externally of the fixed base member. The movable slide member is locked to the fixed base member in the second position.