Modular Infusion Pump with Detachable Coupling for Skin Adaptors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infusion devices worn on the skin are not easily removable for physical activities or exposure to water, limiting patient mobility and comfort, and cannot have components exchanged without compromising their adhesion or risking detachment.
Innovation Solution
A portable medical device with a reservoir and conveying unit that can be mechanically and fluidically coupled and decoupled using various mechanisms, allowing for temporary disconnection and reconnection, enabling wear on the skin or via clothing, with secure attachment and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the infusion device is attached directly to the skin surface, then the device is discreet and short fluid connections are provided, but the device cannot be temporarily disconnected or have components exchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion device is divided into separate modular components including a pump unit, reservoir, and catheter assembly that can be independently handled, disconnected, and reconnected through a coupling mechanism, enabling temporary removal for activities while maintaining secure attachment during use
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the pump unit and catheter assembly, providing a standardized interface that enables easy connection and disconnection while maintaining fluid tightness and mechanical stability, allowing component exchange without compromising device integrity
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the infusion device is designed for long service life with replaceable components, then components can be exchanged easily, but the device cannot be temporarily removed without disconnecting the catheter tube
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the pump unit from the catheter assembly through a coupling mechanism, allowing the pump to be temporarily detached while the catheter remains in place, enabling activities like showering or sports without requiring full disconnection or compromising the long-term catheter placement
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism provides dynamic connection capabilities, allowing the pump unit to be easily attached and detached multiple times throughout the catheter's service life, adapting to patient needs for temporary removal while maintaining secure connection during infusion periods
3Volume of moving object
If the infusion device is miniaturized for comfortable wearing, then the device volume is reduced, but the device still limits patient freedom of movement due to component volume and static imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The pump unit is extracted as a separate detachable component from the skin surface attachment, allowing it to be removed when not needed for infusion, thereby reducing the volume present on the body and minimizing restrictions on patient movement and freedom during activities
4Ease of manufacture
If the infusion device is attached by plaster or adhesive, then the device provides discreet wearing and short fluid connections, but the device may detach due to insufficient adhesion or sudden movements
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates a bayonet coupling design with rotational engagement and latching features that provide mechanical interlocking, significantly enhancing attachment security and resistance to detachment forces compared to adhesive-only methods while maintaining discreet appearance
Data Source
AI summary
A portable medical apparatus for administering a fluid drug in doses, including a first housing including a reservoir unit with an outlet into a fluid path for conducting the drug, a second housing including a conveying unit for dispensing the drug from the reservoir unit in doses and a suitable controller for controlling the conveying unit, an adaptor including a coupling structure for receiving the first housing and the second housing and an attaching structure for extra-corporeally carrying the adaptor on a patient, wherein the conveying unit and the reservoir unit can be joined together to form an integrated mechanical and fluidic unit, and coupled to and decoupled from at least two differently configured adaptors, wherein at least one of the adaptors is configured to be directly attached to the surface of the skin and at least one of the adaptors is configured to be worn on or carried by an article of clothing or a wearing system (e.g., a belt).