Mechanical Insulin Infusion Device with Automatic Enable Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulin delivery systems for diabetes management, such as electronic infusion pumps, are cumbersome, costly, and complex, making them unappealing to many patients; there is a need for a simple, mechanically driven infusion device that can deliver both basal and bolus insulin without requiring electronic programming.
Innovation Solution
A wearable infusion device with a base that contacts the skin, a reservoir filled with liquid medicament, a flexible conduit, and a pump actuated by an enable mechanism that responds to reservoir expansion, allowing for mechanical delivery of insulin through a cannula without electronic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic infusion pumps are used to deliver insulin, then blood glucose control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic control systems with a purely mechanical drive system. The pump is actuated by a mechanical rotor that rotates to open and close valves, driving fluid flow through the conduit without requiring electronic motors, microprocessors, or electronic sensors. This mechanical substitution eliminates the complex electronic components while maintaining the insulin delivery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The enable mechanism automatically activates the pump when the reservoir is filled with medicament. The follower detects the presence of liquid in the reservoir and mechanically enables the rotor to rotate, allowing the system to self-activate without electronic sensors or programming. This automatic activation through mechanical means reduces device complexity while ensuring reliable operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic infusion pumps are used to deliver insulin, then basal and bolus delivery is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to programming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The enable mechanism provides automatic activation when the reservoir is filled. The follower is positioned to detect the presence of liquid medicament and mechanically enables the pump rotor to rotate, eliminating the need for users to program delivery rates or activate the device electronically. This self-activating mechanical system significantly improves ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system dynamically adjusts delivery based on mechanical actuation rather than electronic programming. The rotor rotates to open and close valves, creating pulsatile flow that delivers insulin in controlled amounts. This mechanical dynamic system provides basal and bolus delivery capabilities without requiring users to program complex delivery schedules.
3Device complexity
If a mechanical drive system is used instead of electronic control, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The enable mechanism incorporates a follower that provides mechanical feedback about the reservoir state. The follower detects when the reservoir is filled with liquid medicament and automatically enables the pump rotor to rotate. This feedback mechanism ensures the pump only operates when medicament is available, preventing dry-running and ensuring reliable, consistent delivery without electronic sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The enable mechanism prevents premature or unintended activation by requiring the reservoir to be filled with liquid medicament before the pump can operate. The follower must detect the presence of liquid to enable rotor rotation, providing a safety cushion against erroneous activation and ensuring reliable operation only when medicament is available.
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 device provides a simple, cost-effective means to deliver insulin directly to the body, improving glucose control without the need for electronic programming, enhancing patient acceptance and adherence.
Implementation Method 1
The reservoir may be an expandable structure and the enable mechanism may be responsive to expansion of the reservoir upon being filled with the liquid medicant to enable the actuator.
Implementation Method 2
a pump that causes the medicant to flow down the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable infusion device delivers a liquid medicant to a patient. The infusion device comprises a base that contacts a patient's skin and a reservoir arranged to be filled with a liquid medicant to be delivered beneath a patient's skin. The reservoir has an outlet through which the medicant flows. The infusion device further comprises a flexible conduit communicating with the outlet of the reservoir, a pump that causes the medicant to flow down the conduit, an actuator that performs a function related to the operation of the device, and an enable mechanism that enables the actuator in response to the filling of the reservoir with the liquid medicant.