Detachable Infusion Patch with Position Detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable insulin infusion pumps face issues with bulkiness, high cost, and unintended insulin delivery due to periodic disconnection, leading to waste and diminished precision in insulin administration.
Innovation Solution
A portable therapeutic device with a patch unit and cradle unit system, featuring a position detector that controls the operation based on connection status, allowing safe disconnection and reconnection, and includes a processor to manage insulin delivery and battery life efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the infusion device is disconnected from the patient's body, then user convenience and safety are improved by allowing temporary removal, but unintended insulin delivery occurs leading to waste and loss of precision
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a position detector that continuously monitors whether the device is connected or disconnected from the patient's body. This feedback mechanism automatically controls the infusion pump to stop delivery when disconnected and resume when reconnected, preventing unintended insulin delivery while maintaining user convenience for temporary removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects connection status and controls insulin delivery without requiring manual user intervention. The device serves itself by using the position detector to trigger appropriate infusion actions, eliminating the need for users to manually control the pump during connection/disconnection events.
2Ease of operation
If the device allows periodic disconnection and reconnection, then user convenience is improved, but the system complexity increases due to need for position detection and automatic control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The position detector provides automatic feedback about connection status to the control system, enabling the device to self-regulate insulin delivery. This feedback loop simplifies the user interface while managing the underlying complexity of coordination between detection and delivery control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pumps use long tubing to deliver insulin from a remote location, then patient mobility is improved, but the device size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion system is divided into two separate components: a reusable pump unit and a disposable patch unit with reservoir. This segmentation allows the heavy pump to remain stationary while only the lightweight patch moves with the patient, improving mobility without sacrificing delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulin reservoir is extracted from the main pump body and placed in a separate disposable patch unit that can be worn on the patient's body. This extraction eliminates the need for long connecting tubes and allows the patient to move freely while the main pump remains in a fixed location.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable therapeutic apparatus and a method for controlling the apparatus are provided. In one aspect the apparatus and the method can be implemented using a patch unit (100, 200) removably attachable to a cradle unit (20), said cradle unit removably attachable to the body of the patient; a position detector (1000) comprising a patch portion (900) and a cradle portion (800), said patch portion coupled to the patch unit, said cradle portion coupled to the cradle unit; a processor adapted for receiving a position indication signal from the at least one position detector, said position indication signal corresponding to a physical proximity of the patch portion to the cradle portion, and, wherein the portable therapeutic apparatus is adapted for at least one therapeutic function selected from the group consisting of delivering a therapeutic fluid into the body of the patient and sensing a bodily analyte.