Infusion System Adjusting Insulin Absorption via Tissue Resistance Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Type 1 diabetic patients face challenges in achieving physiologic insulin replacement patterns due to inter- and intra-individual variability in insulin absorption rates from subcutaneous administration, leading to insufficient glycemic control and elevated rates of co-morbidity and mortality.
Innovation Solution
An infusion system that includes a member to provide information on tissue resistance and a controller to adjust administration characteristics such as bolus duration, pulse frequency, and pulse shape to achieve a predetermined absorption rate of insulin, thereby reducing variability and improving absorption efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If insulin is administered via subcutaneous infusion using an indwelling catheter, then insulin delivery is achieved, but inter- and intra-individual variability in absorption rates occurs leading to insufficient glycemic control
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the insulin administration profile (pulse frequency, pulse shape, bolus duration) based on real-time feedback from glucose sensors and patient-specific absorption characteristics. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the fixed subcutaneous infusion system capable of compensating for absorption variability, thereby improving glycemic control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous glucose monitoring and uses the measured glucose levels along with absorption rate measurements to adjust subsequent insulin delivery parameters. This feedback loop enables the system to compensate for inter- and intra-individual absorption variability, directly improving glycemic control reliability while adapting to individual patient characteristics.
2Productivity
If bolus insulin is delivered as macro-pulses with high repetition frequency, then bolus insulin delivery is achieved, but burning sensation at the infusion site occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulse delivery with optimized frequency and duration parameters. By carefully selecting pulse intervals and durations within specific ranges, the system achieves effective bolus delivery while preventing the accumulation of insulin at the infusion site that causes burning sensation. The periodic action allows tissue recovery between pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts delivery parameters (pulse frequency, pulse duration, inter-pulse intervals) based on tissue resistance measurements and patient response. When tissue resistance indicates potential for burning sensation, the system modifies parameters to reduce local insulin concentration peaks while maintaining overall delivery effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between delivery speed and comfort.
3Loss of substance
If indwelling catheter usage is prolonged beyond recommended 2-3 days, then cost reduction is achieved, but infection and lipohyperthrophy risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of tissue resistance and absorption rates to establish baseline characteristics. By understanding the specific tissue response early in the infusion period, the system can predict when absorption deterioration is approaching and proactively recommend catheter change timing, allowing extended use when safe while preventing infection when risk becomes too high.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors tissue resistance and absorption rates, enabling the patient and clinician to determine the actual safe duration of catheter use for each individual case. This self-monitoring capability allows the system to guide catheter replacement decisions based on real-time tissue response rather than fixed schedules, optimizing both cost and safety.
4Speed
If insulin absorption rate is increased to match physiological secretion pattern, then glycemic control improves, but subcutaneous administration inherently limits absorption speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts delivery parameters including pulse frequency, pulse shape, and bolus duration to optimize absorption rate. By using shorter bolus durations and adjusting pulse characteristics based on real-time absorption rate measurements, the system accelerates insulin uptake from subcutaneous tissue into bloodstream, approaching physiological secretion patterns despite the subcutaneous route limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies physical parameters of insulin delivery (flow rate, pulse duration, frequency) based on measured tissue resistance and absorption characteristics. These parameter changes enable the system to overcome the inherent slowness of subcutaneous absorption by optimizing the delivery profile to match individual patient absorption rates, thereby achieving faster insulin action closer to physiological patterns.
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 system enhances insulin absorption into the bloodstream, reduces variability, and allows for more accurate prediction of insulin action on glucose levels, thereby improving glycemic control and potentially lowering mortality rates in type 1 diabetic patients.
Implementation Method 1
The member comprises a pressure sensor and is adapted to measure and/or to store, in particular in an electronic storage medium, a pressure of the fluid in the conduit
Implementation Method 2
The arrangement further comprises a pump adapted to be coupled to a reservoir holding the liquid and adapted to drive the liquid
Implementation Method 3
the controller is adapted to control the pump to adjust a flow rate of the liquid to comply with the adjusted administration characteristic
Implementation Method 4
obtain the tissue resistance based on the determined pressure difference and the flow rate such as to be indicative of an absorption rate of the liquid from the conduit into the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for administering a predetermined amount of a substance into an organism is presented. The arrangement includes a member adapted to provide information indicative of a tissue resistance against flow of a fluid containing the substance upon administration into the tissue and a controller adapted to adjust an administration characteristic of the fluid based on the information such as to achieve an intended absorption rate of the substance.