Injection Port Assembly Self-Sealing Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parenteral drug delivery methods, such as self-injections, are burdensome for patients due to frequent needle punctures, causing pain, discomfort, and anxiety, and often require multiple devices that are costly, cumbersome, and prone to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A portable injection port assembly with a support body and delivery assembly that includes a self-sealing barrier element, allowing for multiple injections without repeated skin puncture, featuring a receptacle with notches and retainer members for secure attachment of the delivery assembly and an adapter for various delivery implements, ensuring fluid-tight seals and minimizing device size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If portable and wearable devices for controlled delivery are used, then agent delivery over a period of time is achieved, but device size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a reusable support body and replaceable delivery assemblies. This segmentation allows the heavy reservoir and control mechanisms to be separated from the lightweight implantable portion, reducing the weight burden on the patient while maintaining controlled delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery sharp and barrier element are extracted as separate, replaceable components. This allows the implantable support body to remain lightweight while the delivery mechanisms can be updated or replaced without replacing the entire device, reducing overall system weight and cost.
2Duration of action of moving object
If portable and wearable devices for controlled delivery are used, then agent delivery over a period of time is achieved, but device complexity and malfunction rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into a simple implantable support body and external delivery assemblies, the complexity of electronic control and reservoir management is removed from the implantable portion, reducing malfunction risk while maintaining controlled delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier element is designed to self-seal after puncture, automatically restoring the fluid-tight seal without requiring complex control mechanisms. This self-service feature reduces device complexity and potential failure points.
3Productivity
If repeated skin puncture is performed for self-injection, then parenteral agent administration is achieved, but patient quality of life and compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is implanted in advance, creating a permanent access point. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated skin punctures, as subsequent injections can be administered through the existing implant, significantly improving patient quality of life while maintaining treatment frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body acts as an intermediary structure between the external delivery implement and the patient's tissue. This mediator allows repeated injections without repeated skin trauma, as the implant provides a stable access point that can be used multiple times.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple delivery devices are used for different agents, then various parenteral administrations are achieved, but cost and device management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of delivery assemblies for various agents. This multi-functionality allows a single implant to deliver different medications, reducing the need for multiple separate devices and simplifying device management.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery assemblies are designed as disposable components that can be replaced without removing the implantable support body. This allows patients to receive different agents over time by simply swapping the external delivery component, reducing long-term device management complexity and cost.
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 solution reduces the need for repeated skin punctures, decreases pain and discomfort, enhances patient compliance, and provides a compact, reliable, and cost-effective method for multiple daily injections, improving quality of life for patients.
Implementation Method 1
a self-sealing barrier element, allowing for multiple injections without repeated skin puncture
Data Source
AI summary
An injection port assembly may comprise a support body having a receptacle associated with a passage through the support body. The receptacle may have at least one recess in an end surface of the receptacle. The receptacle may have a plurality of retainer members. The assembly may further comprise a peripheral rim rib about a periphery of the support body and a number of additional ribs extending from the receptacle to the peripheral rim rib. The assembly may further comprise a delivery assembly coupled within the receptacle via the retainer members. The delivery assembly may have a cannula extending through the passage. The delivery assembly may have an injection receiving volume within the delivery assembly in fluid communication with a lumen of the cannula but otherwise fluidically sealed by a self-sealing barrier. There may be a sole externally accessible portion of the barrier aligned with an axis of the lumen.