Insulin Absorption Patch with Local Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulin delivery systems for diabetes management are bulky, inconvenient, and costly, with a significant lag time between insulin administration and glucose lowering effects due to suboptimal insulin absorption from subcutaneous tissue.
Innovation Solution
A portable, miniature skin-securable dispensing patch unit that incorporates a mechanism for enhancing insulin absorption by promoting vasodilation through local heating, electrical current, or pharmacologic agents, allowing for improved subcutaneous insulin delivery and concurrent glucose monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional subcutaneous insulin delivery is used, then the device structure is simple, but the insulin absorption rate is slow causing long lag time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical state of subcutaneous tissue through heating (temperature parameter change) to enhance blood flow and insulin absorption. The heating element raises the temperature of the injection site, which increases blood circulation and accelerates insulin uptake into the bloodstream, thereby reducing the lag time between administration and glucose lowering effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through pulsatile heating cycles where the heating element is activated in intermittent bursts rather than continuously. This periodic heating stimulates blood flow in a pulsating manner that enhances insulin absorption while minimizing energy consumption and avoiding excessive tissue heating, thus achieving faster glucose control with moderate device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If skin adherable pump is used, then the device portability is improved, but the production cost and accessory cost are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the insulin delivery system into two separate components: a reusable pump unit that remains on the patient's body, and disposable infusion sets that are replaced periodically. This segmentation allows the expensive electronic pump components to be reused multiple times, significantly reducing the overall production cost and making the portable device more economically viable while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable infusion sets containing the reservoir, needle, and connecting tubing that are discarded after a limited period of use. By making these consumable parts disposable rather than reusable, the system eliminates the need for complex sterilization and maintenance procedures, reduces production costs for the reusable components, and improves ease of manufacture while preserving the portability benefits of the skin adherable pump.
3Adaptability or versatility
If long infusion set is used, then the needle insertion can reach remote sites, but the device size and weight are large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using a soft, flexible infusion set tubing that can be routed along the patient's body to reach remote injection sites without requiring a bulky device. The flexible nature of the tubing allows it to conform to body contours and extend to distant locations while keeping the pump unit itself compact and lightweight, thus achieving remote site insertion capability without increasing device weight.
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 reduces the lag time between insulin administration and glucose lowering, providing more effective glycemic control, increased user convenience, and cost-effectiveness by enhancing insulin absorption and integrating glucose monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The controller is programmed to control the heating element to locally elevate the temperature in surrounding tissue
Implementation Method 2
In another embodiment, the at least one electrode is a subcutaneously disposed heating electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Products and methods directed to the improved infusion of fluids are disclosed. Such products and methods can be used to more efficiently and efficaciously administer therapeutic pharmaceuticals to a subject in need of treatment. In many instances, the systems comprise a therapeutic fluid delivery system and a mechanism for enhancing the absorption of the therapeutic fluid. The enhancement of the absorption of the therapeutic fluid is generally performed locally i.e., at or near the site of administration of the therapeutic fluid. The system and methods can be used to deliver any number of therapeutic fluids including but not limited to insulin.