Infusion Patch Anesthetic Reservoir for Continuous Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug-delivery systems fail to maintain continuous pain reduction at infusion sites for extended periods, as anesthetic effects from existing methods wear off within a few hours, leaving patients without adequate relief during prolonged infusions of pain-causing drugs.
Innovation Solution
A system integrated within an infusion patch that replenishes anesthetic substances to skin-contact areas without disturbing drug delivery, using a detachable or integrated reservoir connected via a conduit, allowing for continuous pain relief and optional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for enhanced pain management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If anesthetic cream or spray is applied to the infusion site before injection, then pain relief is achieved for a few hours, but the effect wears off during prolonged infusions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous anesthetic delivery through a reservoir system that replenishes anesthetic substance at the infusion site over extended periods. The reservoir contains anesthetic agent that is continuously or periodically delivered to the skin-contact area, ensuring uninterrupted pain relief throughout prolonged infusion therapy rather than relying on single-application creams that wear off after a few hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion device is designed to self-replenish anesthetic substance at the infusion site without requiring separate external applications. The system uses its own integrated reservoir and delivery mechanism to automatically maintain anesthetic levels at the cannula insertion site, eliminating the need for patients to repeatedly apply external anesthetic creams or sprays.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If an integrated reservoir and conduit system is added to deliver anesthetic substance, then continuous pain relief is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anesthetic delivery function with the existing infusion device structure. The reservoir is integrated into or attached to the infusion pump or cannula assembly, and the anesthetic substance is delivered through the same skin-access area where the cannula inserts. This merging of functions avoids creating a separate standalone anesthetic delivery system, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving continuous pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion device is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering both the therapeutic drug through the cannula and the anesthetic substance through the skin-access area. The base structure serves as a common platform for both drug reservoir and anesthetic reservoir, and the adhesive layer serves both to secure the device and to facilitate anesthetic delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Ease of operation
If anesthetic is released from the adhesive layer, then pain relief is provided, but the effect is limited to a few hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares and delivers anesthetic substance in advance and continuously before and during the infusion procedure. Rather than relying on a single pre-application that wears off, the reservoir system maintains a ready supply of anesthetic that is continuously replenished at the infusion site, ensuring the anesthetic effect persists throughout the entire infusion duration rather than fading after a few hours.
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 sustained pain reduction at infusion sites beyond existing methods, allowing patients to manage pain conveniently and continuously during prolonged drug deliveries without increasing the size or complexity of the infusion device.
Implementation Method 1
at least one conduit in fluid connection with said at least one skin access area facilitates the transfer of an anesthetic substance within at least a first anesthetic-reservoir
Implementation Method 2
at least one adhesive region in said base suitable for skin attachment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an infusion-patch comprising; a cannula; a base; at least one adhesive region in said base suitable for skin attachment; at least one skin-access area within said base; and at least one conduit in fluid connection with said at least one skin access area, wherein said at least one conduit in fluid connection with said at least one skin access area facilitates the transfer of an anesthetic substance within at least a first anesthetic-reservoir which may be removably attached and in fluid connection with said at least one contact area, promoting delivery of said anesthetic substance to said at least one skin-access areas, and wherein said anesthetic substance delivered to said skin-access areas may be at least partially replenished without removing said infusion-patch. Embodiments of the present invention include methods of administering a drug using the infusion-patch.