Infusion Arrangement with Tissue Resistance Feedback

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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, which affects glycemic control and increases morbidity and mortality.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement that includes a member to provide information on tissue resistance against fluid flow, allowing a controller to adjust administration characteristics such as bolus duration, pulse frequency, and pulse shape to achieve a predetermined absorption rate of insulin, thereby improving absorption efficiency and reducing variability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If insulin is administered via subcutaneous infusion using an indwelling catheter, then insulin delivery is achieved, but variability in absorption rates occurs due to tissue resistance changes over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption rate consistencyVSAvoidinfusion site usage duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of tissue resistance at the infusion site before insulin administration. Based on this preliminary measurement, the controller pre-adjusts administration parameters (flow rate, pulse frequency, bolus duration) to compensate for expected absorption variability, ensuring consistent insulin delivery throughout the infusion site usage period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors tissue resistance at the infusion site and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust administration parameters. The controller modifies flow rate, pulse frequency, or bolus duration in real-time based on measured resistance changes, maintaining consistent absorption rates even as the infusion site is used over extended periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the indwelling catheter is changed frequently (every 2-3 days) to maintain absorption efficiency, then absorption rate is maintained, but treatment cost and patient burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulin absorption efficiencyVSAvoidcatheter replacement frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of tissue resistance to determine the optimal duration of infusion site usage. By predicting when absorption efficiency will deteriorate based on initial tissue characteristics, the system extends catheter usage beyond the conventional 2-3 day schedule while maintaining reliable insulin absorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors tissue resistance to detect when absorption efficiency begins to deteriorate. This feedback enables dynamic extension of catheter usage duration by adjusting administration parameters to compensate for gradual tissue changes, delaying the need for catheter replacement beyond standard intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If bolus insulin is delivered with high pulse frequency and large pulse sizes, then bolus amount is administered quickly (one minute or less), but burning sensation occurs at the infusion site

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolus administration speedVSAvoidburning sensation at infusion site
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts pulse frequency and pulse size based on real-time tissue resistance measurements. When tissue resistance is low (indicating good absorption conditions), the system can use higher pulse frequencies and larger pulse sizes for rapid bolus delivery. When tissue resistance increases, the system automatically reduces pulse parameters to prevent burning sensation, optimizing both speed and comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes administration parameters (flow rate, pulse frequency, pulse duration) based on measured tissue resistance values. By continuously adapting these parameters to the current tissue state, the system achieves rapid bolus delivery when conditions permit while preventing burning sensation when tissue resistance indicates reduced tolerance

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

The system enhances insulin absorption into the bloodstream, reduces variability, and extends the duration of infusion site use, leading to more predictable glycemic control and improved patient outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

The member adapted to provide information indicative of a tissue resistance against flow of a fluid comprises a pressure sensor and is adapted to measure and/or to store a pressure of the fluid in the conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

The arrangement comprises a pump adapted to be coupled to a reservoir holding the fluid and adapted to drive the fluid; a conduit for guiding the liquid driven by the pump from the reservoir to an insertion needle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP2953666B1Infusion arrangement and method
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 MEDIZINISCHE UNIV GRAZ
  • EP2953666B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2953666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2953666B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

It is provided an arrangement (100, 200, 300) for administering a predetermined amount of a substance (110) into an organism, the arrangement comprising: a member (129, 229, 329) adapted to provide information indicative of a tissue resistance against flow of a fluid (109) containing the substance (110) upon administration into the tissue (320); a controller (131, 231, 331) adapted to adjust an administration characteristic of the fluid based on the information such as to achieve an intended absorption rate of the substance (110).