Free-Jet Dosing System for Painless Subcutaneous Insulin Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current subcutaneous insulin administration methods, such as needle-based injections, are painful and lack precision, while needleless systems face challenges with limited dosing frequency, high costs, and difficulty in adjusting penetration depth, making them unsuitable for widespread use.

Innovation Solution

A compact free-jet dosing system utilizing a micropump with a membrane and piezo actuator generating up to 40 bar pressure, integrated into a wearable device, allowing precise and painless subcutaneous medication delivery with adjustable penetration depth and high-frequency dosing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If needle-based injection systems are used, then dosing precision is improved, but pain and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing precisionVSAvoidpain

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical needle-based injection system with a needleless free-jet dosing system that uses a micropump to generate high pressure (up to 40 bar) and eject fluid through a nozzle. This substitution eliminates the mechanical penetration of needles into the skin, thereby eliminating pain while maintaining dosing precision through controlled pressure and jet formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic and hydraulic principles by using a micropump to generate high pressure (up to 40 bar) within a closed circuit, then releasing this pressurized fluid through a nozzle as a free jet. This pressure-driven fluid ejection mechanism enables needleless delivery while maintaining precise dosing control through pressure regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If needleless injection systems are used, then pain is reduced, but dosing frequency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepainVSAvoiddosing frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional needleless injection mechanisms (which relied on springs or gas drives) with an electrically actuated micropump system. This substitution enables high-frequency dosing by allowing rapid, controlled pumping cycles without the mechanical limitations of previous systems, achieving dosing frequencies suitable for continuous insulin delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If needleless injection systems are used, then patient comfort is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated micropump unit that combines fluid storage, pressure generation, dosing control, and jet ejection. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating separate components needed for needle retraction, pressure regulation, and dosing measurement, while maintaining high patient comfort through needleless delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional needleless injectors are used, then penetration depth adjustment is possible, but penetration precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration depth adjustmentVSAvoidpenetration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by varying the micropump pressure (up to 40 bar) and nozzle characteristics to precisely control jet penetration depth. The system can adjust pressure profiles and jet parameters to achieve precise penetration depths suitable for different tissue layers, providing both adaptability and precision in needleless injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 precise, painless, and frequent subcutaneous insulin delivery, eliminating the need for needles and allowing integration into wearable devices like patches and watches, with improved dosing precision and reduced costs.

Implementation Method 1

A compact free-jet dosing system utilizing a micropump with a membrane and piezo actuator generating up to 40 bar pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The micropump is configured to transport a fluid from the inlet to the outlet and generate a blocking pressure of at least 20 bar at the outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure generation: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10792430B2Free-jet dosing system for applying a fluid into or under the skin

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

A free-jet dosing system for administering a fluid into or under the skin having a micropump and a nozzle arranged on the outlet side. The micropump has an inlet and an outlet and is configured to transport a fluid from the inlet to the outlet and to generate a blocking pressure of at least 20 bar at the outlet. The nozzle is configured to output the fluid output at the outlet as a free jet at a fluid pressure so that the fluid of the free jet may be injected into the skin.