Flexible Cylindrical Reservoir for Compact Biologic Patch-Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug-delivery devices, such as patch-pumps and syringes, face challenges in efficiently storing and delivering drugs due to material incompatibilities and inefficient design, particularly with biologics, and lack a suitable solution for long-term storage in patch-pump housings.
Innovation Solution
A slim-profile patch-pump drug-delivery system utilizing a substantially cylindrical drug-reservoir assembly with at least one flexible wall, made from biocompatible plastics like cyclic olefin polymer, which is compressible and break-resistant, allowing for optimal space utilization and minimal drug wastage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a syringe-type rigid cylindrical reservoir is used, then structural strength and drug containment are ensured, but the device size increases and space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane reservoir that replaces the rigid cylindrical syringe design. The flexible membrane allows the reservoir to be compressed during drug delivery while maintaining structural integrity, enabling a smaller overall device footprint without compromising drug containment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that changes shape during operation. The flexible membrane allows the reservoir to be compressed as drug is delivered, optimizing space utilization and reducing the required device volume while maintaining sufficient strength through material selection and structural design
2Stability of the object's composition
If glass containers are used for long-term drug storage, then chemical inertness and drug stability are achieved, but material compatibility issues arise with biologics due to alkali release and protein absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite material structures for the flexible membrane reservoir, combining materials that provide both mechanical flexibility and chemical biocompatibility. This allows the reservoir to maintain drug stability while avoiding the harmful effects of glass, such as alkali release and protein absorption, making it suitable for biologics storage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters from traditional glass to flexible biocompatible polymers or copolymers. This material parameter change eliminates the chemical incompatibility issues with biologics while maintaining drug stability through careful selection of chemically inert flexible materials
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dome-shaped reservoir with multi-layer film is used, then biocompatibility is improved, but space efficiency decreases compared to cylindrical design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane reservoir that replaces the dome-shaped design with a more space-efficient configuration. The flexible membrane allows for optimal shaping that maximizes volume efficiency while maintaining biocompatibility through material selection, achieving better space utilization than rigid dome designs
Data Source
AI summary
A drug-delivery device comprising a drug-reservoir assembly, displacement-generating actuator, and drug administration unit is described, wherein the drug-reservoir assembly comprises at least one flexible wall and a constraining ring, such that the displacement generated by the actuator collapses a flexible wall of the assembly expelling the drug contents of the drug-reservoir towards said drug administration means.