Lead Screw Infusion Pump Assembly for Tubeless Insulin Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patch pump designs are bulky due to the use of tubes as fluid pathways, increasing cost and complexity in assembly, and posing challenges in preventing leaks, which complicates the delivery of insulin and other medications.
Innovation Solution
A medication delivery device with a pump assembly featuring a barrel, plunger, and drive screw mechanism that allows for manual filling and controlled dispensing of insulin, minimizing the need for internal tubes by using a drive screw to move the plunger and ensure precise volume delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tubes are used as fluid pathways in patch pump designs, then fluid delivery is enabled, but device size increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes tubes from the fluid delivery system and replaces them with a direct fluid pathway formed by the plunger moving within the barrel. The plunger itself becomes the moving boundary that delivers fluid through the needle, eliminating the need for separate tubing components and their associated connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the tube and the plunger-driven fluid displacement mechanism into a single integrated system. The barrel and plunger assembly directly interfaces with the needle, merging what were previously separate components (reservoir, tubing, injection mechanism) into a more compact unified structure.
2Reliability
If tubes are used as fluid pathways, then fluid delivery is enabled, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and removing the tube component entirely, the patent eliminates the material cost, manufacturing cost, and assembly cost associated with tubing. The direct plunger-to-needle fluid pathway reduces the bill of materials and simplifies the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If tubes are used as fluid pathways, then fluid delivery is enabled, but leak prevention becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the tube and its multiple connection points (reservoir connection, needle connection), the patent eliminates the primary leak risk zones. The direct fluid pathway through the barrel and plunger assembly has fewer interfaces where leaks could occur, simplifying the challenge of ensuring fluid tightness.
4Device complexity
If manual filling is implemented, then device simplicity is improved, but filling precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex automated filling mechanisms with a simpler manual filling approach. The user directly introduces fluid into the barrel, and the plunger's position relative to the barrel markings provides visual feedback for volume control, substituting mechanical automation with user-guided manual operation.
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 size and complexity of the delivery device, enhances precision in medication delivery, and simplifies the assembly process while minimizing leaks, thereby improving the management of diabetes through more efficient insulin administration.
Implementation Method 1
a drive assembly having a drive member and a drive screw, wherein the plunger is movable independently of the drive member, the drive member being coupled to the actuator for moving the drive member into contact with the plunger
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery device (10) for delivering medicament, such as insulin, to a patient includes a barrel (20), a delivery mechanism (12), and a pump assembly (14). The pump assembly includes a plunger (54), a drive member (56) and a drive screw (58). The plunger is able to slide within a barrel of the device independently of the drive plate. In one embodiment, the plunger is able to slide axially on the drive screw. The medication, such as insulin, can be introduced to the barrel (20) to fill the device and force the plunger to move axially in the barrel into engagement of the drive plate. The drive plate has a threaded aperture that mates with the drive screw. The drive plate engages the plunger by rotation of the drive screw to dispense the medication.