Cuff-Shaped Drug Delivery Device for Minimally Invasive Anesthesia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering fluid substances into the body are invasive, particularly for procedures like circumcision, and do not offer efficient, minimally invasive alternatives for administering local anesthesia or other medications.
Innovation Solution
A ring-form device with multiple delivery zones and a supply of fluid substance under pressure, where each zone has a small opening and an area of relative weakness that bulges towards the skin surface when pressurized, allowing for the delivery of the substance without hypodermic needles, particularly suited for local anesthesia in male circumcision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hypodermic needles are used for delivering fluid substances into the body, then reliable delivery is achieved, but invasiveness increases and patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device is segmented into multiple delivery zones around the circumference, each with its own opening and weakness area. This segmentation allows the fluid to be delivered through multiple small openings simultaneously, achieving reliable delivery without requiring large invasive needles.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a flexible membrane or thin film structure that can deform under pressure. The flexibility of this thin film allows it to bulge and create openings in the skin without requiring rigid hypodermic needles, thereby reducing invasiveness while maintaining delivery reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple separate injections are administered, then adequate anesthesia is achieved, but delivery time increases and patient discomfort worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple delivery zones are merged into a single circumferential device that can be applied at once. All delivery zones operate simultaneously when fluid is pressurized, delivering anesthesia to multiple locations at the same time rather than requiring sequential injections, thus reducing delivery time while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is prepared in advance with multiple delivery zones positioned around the circumference. When applied to the body, the geometry and pre-positioned openings allow immediate simultaneous delivery to multiple sites, eliminating the need for sequential administration and reducing overall delivery time.
3Productivity
If pressure is increased to force fluid through delivery zones, then delivery speed improves, but device complexity increases due to need for pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the natural pressure from the fluid supply (such as a syringe plunger pressure) to automatically bulge the flexible membrane and open the delivery zones. The system is self-actuating - the fluid pressure itself causes the membrane to deform and deliver the fluid, eliminating the need for separate pressure control mechanisms or actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the membrane from flat to bulged under pressure. This parameter change (shape deformation) is directly caused by fluid pressure and automatically controls the opening and closing of delivery zones, providing simple pressure-responsive operation without complex control systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device circumferential length is increased to cover larger body parts, then applicability improves, but pressure uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential device is segmented into multiple independent delivery zones around the circumference. Each zone operates independently with its own opening and weakness area. This segmentation allows the device to maintain relatively uniform pressure distribution across the entire circumference, as each segment can respond locally to pressure variations without affecting the entire device structure.
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 rapid, minimally invasive delivery of fluid substances, such as local anesthetics, reducing the need for multiple injections and providing effective anesthesia with minimal invasiveness, suitable for various body parts and medications like insulin.
Implementation Method 1
when the fluid substance is placed under an increased pressure it is forced through the plurality of delivery zones to deliver the fluid substance under pressure into the part of the body
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of zones comprises a small opening and an area of relative weakness surrounding the opening wherein the area of relative weakness is arranged to bulge under pressure from a first rest position to a second extended position towards a skin surface
Data Source
Figure 1~4B
AI summary
A device serving to surround a part of a body, a supply of a fluid substance for the device, and a plurality of delivery zones serving to deliver the substance to the body, the arrangement being such that when the fluid substance is placed under an increased pressure it is forced through the plurality of delivery zones to deliver the fluid substance under pressure to the part of the body.