Self-Injection Device with Conical Spring and Microneedles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulin infusion devices face challenges such as high cost, complexity, discomfort, and inconvenience, particularly with infusion pumps, while daily injection therapies lack continuous infusion and precision dosing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A patch-like infusion device with a conical fluid pressurization spring that uses microneedles for minimal discomfort and provides a pre-measured dose of medication, offering a combination of low cost, ease of use, and continuous infusion capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infusion pump therapy is used to provide continuous infusion and precision dosing, then glucose control and patient wellness are improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable insulin delivery device that eliminates the need for expensive, complex reusable pumps. The single-use nature allows for precision dosing and continuous infusion capabilities without the high cost and complexity of traditional pumps, as the entire device is discarded after use, removing the need for maintenance and recalibration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential functions of continuous infusion and precision dosing from the complex pump system and implements them through a simplified mechanism using a pressurizable reservoir, flexible membrane, and controlled release system, removing unnecessary complexity while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional injection needles are used for insulin delivery, then continuous infusion capability is achieved, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional single large-bore needle into multiple fine-gauge microneedles arranged in an array. This segmentation allows the device to penetrate the skin with minimal discomfort while maintaining the capability for continuous insulin infusion through the collective flow path of multiple needles, effectively distributing the mechanical trauma across many small contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that works in conjunction with the microneedle array to enable continuous infusion. The flexible film allows for controlled deformation under pressurization, maintaining fluid flow through the microneedles without requiring large-bore puncture needles, thus reducing patient discomfort while sustaining continuous delivery.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fine-gauge microneedles are used to reduce patient discomfort, then patient comfort is improved, but manufacturing precision and needle penetration control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the microneedle array with the pressurizable reservoir and flexible membrane system into an integrated unit. This combination allows the flexible membrane to provide mechanical support and control the deployment of the microneedle array, ensuring consistent penetration depth without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the individual microneedles themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a pre-activation mechanism where the device is prepared in a sterile, protected state with microneedles retracted or covered. Upon activation by the patient, the microneedles are deployed to the required depth through a controlled mechanism involving the flexible membrane and pressurization system, ensuring consistent penetration without requiring complex real-time adjustment capabilities.
4Device complexity
If a simple disposable device is used to reduce cost, then device cost decreases, but reliability and precision dosing capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable device architecture that maintains precision dosing capability through careful design of the pressurizable reservoir, flexible membrane, and microneedle array integration. The single-use nature ensures consistent performance without the variability introduced by reuse, while the integrated design achieves precision dosing through controlled pressurization and fluid flow management without requiring expensive components.
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
The device provides efficient and comfortable insulin delivery with minimal patient discomfort, combining the benefits of daily injection therapy and infusion pumps, improving patient convenience and glucose control.
Implementation Method 1
a conical spring compressible in a pre-activated position for biasing the plunger toward the reservoir and thereby pressurizing the reservoir upon activation of the pressurization system
Implementation Method 2
pressurizing the reservoir upon activation of the pressurization system
Data Source
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AI summary
A drug delivery device (100) includes a body (102, 116) having a reservoir (160) disposed therein for containing a medicament and an injection needle (152) for penetrating the skin of a patient, the needle (152) providing a path for the medicament between the reservoir (160) and the patient. The device (100) also includes a plunger (144) movable within the body (102, 116) for causing the medicament to be expelled from the reservoir (160), and a biasing means (140) for biasing the plunger (144) toward the reservoir (160), wherein in a pre-activated position, the biasing means (140) telescopes within itself, and upon activation, provides a force to the plunger (144) for expelling the medicament from the reservoir (160). The biasing means (140) is preferably provided in the form of a conical spring having a variable pitch.