Drug Reservoir Dip Tube Apertures for Uniform Agent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems, such as peristaltic pumps, struggle to maintain a uniform concentration of beneficial agents throughout the delivery process, particularly with viscous fluids like oils and gels, due to non-uniform flow distribution and pressure variations along the tubing.
Innovation Solution
The drug delivery reservoir incorporates a dip tube with varying aperture configurations along its length, including changes in aperture size, spacing, and shape to ensure uniform fluid distribution, and uses a flexible bag with textured surfaces to enhance flow and prevent occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple dip tube with uniform apertures is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the concentration uniformity of beneficial agent deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube implements local quality by varying aperture characteristics along its length. Different sections of the tubular member have different aperture sizes, spacing, or configurations to compensate for non-uniform fluid composition in the reservoir. This ensures uniform beneficial agent concentration is delivered despite spatial variations in the reservoir contents.
2Productivity
If apertures are positioned close to the outlet end, then the fluid flow rate is increased, but the concentration uniformity deteriorates due to non-uniform distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube applies parameter changes by systematically varying aperture parameters (size, spacing, configuration) along the length of the tubular member. This creates a gradient or patterned distribution that compensates for the non-uniform fluid composition in the reservoir, maintaining consistent beneficial agent concentration while ensuring adequate fluid flow rate.
Data Source
AI summary
Drug delivery reservoir for delivery of a beneficial agent to a user includes a drug delivery reservoir housing having a fluid reservoir defined therein. The drug delivery reservoir housing has a drug delivery reservoir base region. The drug delivery reservoir includes a dip tube extending inside the fluid reservoir. The dip tube includes a tubular wall defining a flow lumen. The tubular wall has at least one aperture defined therein and spaced proximally from a distal end of the tubular wall in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The drug delivery reservoir includes an adaptor disposed external to the drug delivery reservoir housing and coupled to a proximal end of the dip tube.