Disposable Infusion Device Occlusion Detection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulin administration methods, such as syringes and insulin pumps, are invasive, costly, complex, and socially awkward, often requiring multiple needle sticks and extensive training, posing risks of improper use and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A disposable wearable infusion device with a reservoir, cannula, and pump that allows for discreet insulin delivery with a single needle stick, featuring improved sealing, cannula deployment, misuse prevention, and occlusion detection, ensuring safe and convenient insulin administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional syringe or insulin pen is used for insulin administration, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but it requires multiple needle sticks and frequent patient self-injection which is invasive and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate components: a reusable pump unit and a disposable infusion set. This segmentation allows the complex pump mechanism to be used repeatedly while the simple disposable portion is replaced frequently, reducing needle stick trauma while maintaining system simplicity for the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion set with needle/cannula is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use or short period. This eliminates the need for patients to repeatedly sterilize or maintain the needle portion, reducing infection risk and patient burden while keeping the overall system manageable.
2Ease of operation
If an insulin pump with tubing and infusion set is used, then needle sticks are reduced, but the device becomes expensive and complex to operate and wear
Solution Approach 1:
By making the infusion set disposable rather than part of a permanent pump system, the device eliminates the need for expensive, complex programmable pumps. The simple reusable pump unit combined with disposable infusion sets dramatically reduces cost and complexity while maintaining the benefit of reduced needle sticks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of fluid delivery from complex programmable pump systems and implements it through a simple manual or spring-loaded pump mechanism. This extraction of core functionality removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the primary benefit of continuous insulin delivery.
3Ease of manufacture
If a disposable infusion device is used to reduce complexity and cost, then manufacturing is simplified, but occlusion detection capability must be added to ensure safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic occlusion detection systems with a simple mechanical detection mechanism. A movable indicator or flag is physically pushed by fluid pressure changes in the line, providing reliable occlusion detection through pure mechanical means that are easy to manufacture into disposable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The occlusion detection mechanism utilizes fluid pressure (pneumatics/hydraulics) within the infusion line to physically move an indicator component. When an occlusion occurs, pressure builds and moves the indicator, providing passive, reliable detection without requiring electronic sensors or power sources in the disposable portion.
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
The device provides safe, convenient, and discreet insulin delivery with reduced risk of improper use, improved patient safety, and social acceptability by minimizing needle sticks and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure detector that detects back pressure within the conduit when an occlusion occurs within the conduit
Data Source
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AI summary
A disposable wearable infusion device comprises a reservoir that holds a liquid medicament and a cannula having a distal end that delivers the liquid medicament to a patient. The device further comprises a pump that displaces a volume of the liquid medicament along a path to the cannula when actuated and a lock-out that precludes actuation of the pump when an occlusion occurs within the path to the distal end of the cannula.