Insulin Infusion Set Protective Case with Hinged Sterile Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insulin infusion sets, particularly the needle and hub, are prone to contamination and damage when disconnected from the body, necessitating a safe and sanitary storage solution to maintain sterility and prevent damage.
Innovation Solution
A protective case with a hinge mechanism, port passageway, and seal, designed to securely store the needle and hub, incorporating a sanitizer and foam padding, and attachment options for insulin pumps, ensuring sterility and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the insulin infusion set is disconnected from the body for storage, then the user gains flexibility and privacy, but the needle and hub become exposed to environmental contamination and physical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a protective case designed for single-use disposal after one insertion cycle. The case is manufactured as a low-cost, single-use item that provides sterile protection during storage and transport, then is discarded rather than sterilized and reused. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization processes while maintaining patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective case creates a controlled, sterile environment that isolates the needle and hub from external contamination sources. The case maintains a clean, inert atmosphere during storage and transport, protecting the medical components until they are ready for use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the insulin infusion set is disconnected from the body for storage, then the user gains flexibility and privacy, but the needle and hub are prone to physical damage from crushing, tearing or other unpredictable events
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case incorporates cushioning elements and structural design features that absorb and distribute impact forces before they can reach the needle and hub. The case is designed to withstand drops, crushing, and other physical abuses that might occur during transport or storage, protecting the delicate medical components from damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective case is designed to fully enclose the needle and hub, then sterility and protection are maximized, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid outer shell for structural protection, an inner cushioning layer for impact absorption, and a sterile barrier layer for contamination prevention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall design manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective case utilizes thin-film sterile barriers and flexible sealing mechanisms that provide effective contamination protection without requiring complex rigid structures. The thin-film approach maintains sterility while allowing for simpler, more manufacturable case designs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a protective case for an insulin infusion set that can be used by diabetics to store the needle or needle and hub of an insulin infusion set when removed from the body to participate in various activities throughout the day. The insulin infusion set includes a first half shell and a second half shell connected together by a hinge and a port on its front side which allows a cannula or tube to pass through into the interior of the case to store the needle or needle and hub inside the case when in a closed configuration. The main body portion of the protective case and the port of the protective case may be various sizes and shapes as disclosed herein. The protective case may also be attached to an insulin pump housing or case through various means as disclosed herein.