Electrochemical Micro Delivery Pump With Single-Port Refill Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional delivery pumps for therapeutic agents suffer from dose inaccuracy, pump reliability issues due to material deformation, low energy efficiency, cross-contamination, residual air bubbles, and cannula de-bonding during delivery.
Innovation Solution
A micro delivery device with a rigid shell, diaphragm, cannula, electrochemical pump, and electronic device chamber, featuring a single port design, multiple electrodes, and a flexible substrate, which includes a helically corrugated diaphragm and a single port for refilling, and uses a biocompatible material to prevent deformation and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a thin reservoir rigid shell is used in conventional delivery pumps, then the device can be miniaturized, but permanent material deformation occurs causing dose inaccuracy and pump reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional rigid shell materials to shape-memory alloy (SMA) materials that can reversibly change shape in response to temperature changes. This allows the reservoir to expand and contract without permanent deformation, maintaining dose accuracy while enabling miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining shape-memory alloy with other materials to create a reservoir system that leverages the unique properties of SMA - the ability to undergo reversible phase transformations between martensite and austenite states - to achieve both small size and reliable operation without permanent deformation.
2Volume of moving object
If a thin reservoir rigid shell is used, then the device can be miniaturized, but gas escaping causes low pump energy efficiency due to permanent rigid shell material expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes temperature-induced parameter changes in shape-memory alloy materials, where the material transitions between martensite and austenite phases in response to temperature variations. This reversible transformation allows the reservoir to expand and contract without permanent deformation, preventing energy loss from gas escaping and maintaining high pump efficiency while enabling miniaturization.
3Ease of operation
If two filling ports are used in conventional designs, then refilling is possible, but cross-contamination occurs when refilling therapeutic agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one of the two filling ports from the conventional design, extracting the source of cross-contamination risk. By using a single filling port, the system eliminates the possibility of simultaneous access by multiple syringes that could cause cross-contamination, while still enabling refilling operation through the single port.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a preliminary action protocol where the reservoir is completely emptied through the single filling port before refilling with new therapeutic agent. This preliminary emptying action prevents cross-contamination by ensuring no residual material remains that could be contaminated by subsequent filling operations.
4Productivity
If air is delivered into small animals, then therapeutic agent delivery is possible, but residual air bubbles cause harm as small animals are less tolerated to air in blood stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of air bubbles into a beneficial control mechanism by using the shape-memory alloy's reversible expansion and contraction. The SMA reservoir can be precisely controlled to deliver therapeutic agent while minimizing air entrapment, and any air that does enter can be safely managed through the controlled expansion/contraction cycles that prevent large air bubbles from forming.
5Productivity
If cannula is used to deliver therapeutic agent, then delivery to target is achieved, but cannula de-bonding occurs during delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures and advanced bonding techniques at the cannula-reservoir interface to enhance bonding strength and stability. The use of shape-memory alloy and other specialized materials creates a more robust connection that resists de-bonding during the dynamic operation of therapeutic agent delivery.
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
Enhances dosing accuracy, pump reliability, and energy efficiency while minimizing cross-contamination and residual air bubbles, reducing manufacturing costs and device footprint.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical pump comprising at least one electrode
Implementation Method 2
The diaphragm is configured within the chamber to divide the chamber into an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir
Implementation Method 3
The cannula penetrating through the rigid shell and in fluid communication with the upper reservoir
Data Source
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AI summary
A micro delivery device (100) is disclosed, which comprises a substrate (112), a rigid shell (114), a diaphragm (106), a cannula (118), an electrode (108) and an electronic device chamber (110). The substrate (112) has a first side (1122) and a second side (1124). The second side (1124) is opposite to the first side (1122). The rigid shell (114) is disposed on the first side (1122) of the substrate (112). A chamber (103) is defined by the rigid shell (114) and the substrate (112). The diaphragm (106) is configured within the chamber (103) to divide the chamber (103) into an upper reservoir (102) and a lower reservoir (104). The cannula (118) penetrating through the rigid shell (114) and in fluid communication with the upper reservoir (102). The electrode (108) is disposed on the first side (1122) of the substrate (112). The electronic device chamber (110) is electrically connecting to the electrode (108).