Subcutaneous Infusion Pump With Low-Force Cannula Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion pumps designed for diabetes are inappropriate and ineffective for treating Parkinson's Disease due to differences in drug dosage volumes and patient symptoms, and conventional drug delivery devices require significant strength and dexterity for operation.
Innovation Solution
A vial adapter and medicament delivery device designed for subcutaneous delivery of liquid formulations, featuring a cannula insertion mechanism requiring less force, magnetic and snap connections for easy part attachment, and automated or semi-automated bolus and basal delivery capabilities, suitable for patients with Parkinson's Disease and other CNS disorders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional drug delivery devices are used, then drug delivery function is provided, but significant strength and dexterity are required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable pump unit and a disposable infusion set, further segmented into cartridge and syringe barrel. This segmentation allows the force-intensive piercing and insertion operations to be performed by the disposable portion, while the reusable portion provides controlled delivery with minimal user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
A latch member acts as an intermediary between the plunger rod and the cartridge, enabling forceful engagement and sealing operations. The latch member receives and transmits forces during the piercing and insertion sequence, protecting the user from direct exposure to high-force operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diabetes infusion pumps are used, then liquid medicament delivery is achieved, but they are inappropriate and ineffective for Parkinson's Disease treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The pump unit is designed with universal applicability for different liquid medicaments through standardized interfaces (vial adapter, cartridge mounting). The system can be adapted to deliver various formulations including levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson's Disease while maintaining reliable delivery mechanics proven in diabetes applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows adjustment of delivery parameters including bolus dose volume, basal rate, and infusion duration. These parameter changes enable the same hardware platform to effectively treat different conditions with different dosage requirements, making it suitable for Parkinson's Disease while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If manual delivery by patient or medical personnel is used, then drug administration is possible, but precision and control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-measurement and self-control of delivery parameters through integrated sensors and control algorithms. The system automatically monitors infusion rate, volume delivered, and patient response, eliminating the need for manual measurement while maintaining ease of operation through automated feedback loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor delivery accuracy and adjust operations in real-time. Sensors detect actual medicament flow and compare it to programmed parameters, automatically correcting deviations to maintain precision while requiring minimal user intervention.
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 facilitates easier and more precise drug delivery with reduced manual effort, allowing for controlled subcutaneous administration of liquid medicaments like levodopa/carbidopa, addressing the limitations of conventional devices and improving patient usability.
Implementation Method 1
a needle operable to pierce a septum disposed in the device to access the reservoir and disposed in the first and second ports such that when the vial adapter is connected to the reservoir and the medicament vial, the needle fluidically couples the medicament vial to the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
magnetic and snap connections for easy part attachment
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved device delivers a fluid medicament to the subcutaneous tissue of a user. The device is better suited for patients with Parkinson's Disease and other central nervous system disorders, than conventional infusion devices. The device can include a reusable part including a drive component (e.g., motor) and control electronics and a reusable part including a medicament reservoir. Medicament can be evacuated from the medicament reservoir by a plunger assembly that includes a plunger attached to a lead screw that is rotated by a nut, all within the disposable part. The device can be fluidically coupled with the tissue via a flexible cannula. Various embodiments relate to an improved cannula insertion mechanism that delivers the cannula under a force applied by a spring. Various embodiments relate to improved filling of the device, for example, using a vial adapter and an automated filling station.