Implantable Cell Cluster Stimulation With Replaceable Sensing Ports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering therapeutic agents like insulin, such as subcutaneous injections and reservoir-based systems, are inconvenient and prone to errors due to incorrect injection sites and periodic replacement of reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
An electrical stimulation apparatus with a cell cluster container and an indicator container, equipped with a controller, light source, and optical sensor, which senses target material concentration, applies stimulation voltage to secrete active materials like insulin, and allows for non-surgical replacement of cell clusters and indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If subcutaneous injection is used to supply therapeutic agent, then therapeutic agent can be delivered to body, but it causes inconvenience and may be injected at incorrect site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual subcutaneous injection (mechanical system) with an implantable pump system that uses electrical stimulation to control therapeutic agent delivery. The pump is implanted under the skin and delivers the agent through a catheter, eliminating the need for repeated needle injections and ensuring accurate delivery to the intended site through controlled electrical stimulation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If reservoir and pump system is used to supply therapeutic agent, then continuous delivery is achieved, but reservoir must be periodically replaced causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pump system into separable components: a permanent implantable pump unit and a replaceable reservoir unit. The reservoir can be refilled or replaced through a refill port without removing the entire pump system, allowing continuous therapeutic agent supply while minimizing patient inconvenience during maintenance.
3Reliability
If cell cluster is implanted to secrete active material, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but cell cluster cannot be replaced without surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cell cluster from a permanently implanted state and makes it removable through a dedicated entrance. The cell cluster container has an entrance that allows the cell cluster to be retracted and replaced without surgical intervention, enabling maintenance and replacement of the biologically active component while keeping the pump system in place.
4Measurement precision
If indicator is implanted to sense target material, then sensing function is achieved, but indicator cannot be replaced without surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the indicator from a permanently implanted state and makes it replaceable through a dedicated entrance. The indicator container has an entrance that allows the indicator to be retracted and replaced without surgical intervention, enabling maintenance of the sensing function while keeping the pump system in place.
5Productivity
If electrical stimulation is applied to cell cluster, then active material secretion is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the indicator senses target material concentration and provides signals to the controller, which adjusts the electrical stimulation voltage applied to the cell cluster. This closed-loop feedback mechanism optimizes active material secretion based on real-time physiological conditions while managing system complexity through integrated control.
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
Enables convenient and accurate delivery of therapeutic agents by sensing target material concentration, stimulating cell clusters to secrete active materials, and replacing components without surgery, thus maintaining effective operation over a prolonged period.
Implementation Method 1
the optical sensor may be configured to sense light reflected from the indicator and generate the sensing signal based on the sensed light
Implementation Method 2
the light source may be configured to irradiate light to the indicator
Implementation Method 3
the cell cluster may be disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the stimulation voltage may be applied to the first electrode and the second electrode to stimulate the cell cluster
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical stimulation apparatus includes: a cell cluster container comprising a cell cluster configured to secrete an active material; an indicator container comprising an indicator; a controller configured to apply a stimulation voltage to the cell cluster container based on a sensing signal received from the indicator container; a first entrance connected to the cell cluster container and configured to allow either one or both of the cell cluster to be retracted and a new cell cluster to be injected; and a second entrance connected to the indicator container and configured to allow either one or both of the indicator to be retracted and a new indicator to be injected.