Modular Infusion Set Segmentation for Powered Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion systems for administering medicaments, particularly for diabetic therapy, face challenges in maintaining small size, low cost, and safety while avoiding adverse interference between medicament administration and glucose level monitoring, especially due to the need for a single-lumen infusion cannula that is not disclosed in prior art.
Innovation Solution
An infusion set with a single-lumen cannula for subcutaneous medicament delivery, integrated with an on-board energy source and optional functional components like stimulators and delivery supervisory installations, allowing autonomous operation without external power, and separate from the monitoring system to maintain a small skin contact surface and low weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If an infusion set is made small and lightweight for skin attachment, then it can be worn directly on the skin with remote pump, but it cannot integrate electrically powered functional components without increasing size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion set is divided into a disposable part (infusion cannula, adhesive patch) and a reusable part (housing with energy source and functional components). This segmentation allows the reusable part to contain electrically powered components while the disposable part remains small and simple for skin attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion set employs a disposable part that is replaced regularly (every 2-3 days in diabetic therapy) to maintain sterility, while the expensive reusable part with energy source and functional components is reused. This allows integration of powered components without increasing the cost and size of the disposable portion.
2Reliability
If multiple functional components are integrated into the infusion set, then medicament administration is improved, but the skin contact surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
Functional components (stimulator, sensor, alarm) are integrated into the reusable housing portion that does not contact the skin, while only the minimal necessary infusion cannula and adhesive patch contact the skin. This segmentation maintains small skin contact area while providing enhanced functionality.
3Extent of automation
If an on-board energy source is integrated into the infusion set, then functional components can operate autonomously, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy source is placed in the reusable part of the infusion set, which is expensive and reused multiple times. The disposable part remains simple and inexpensive to manufacture and replace. This distribution of costs makes the overall system more economically viable while maintaining autonomy.
4Device complexity
If a single-lumen infusion cannula is used, then device complexity is reduced, but it cannot support both infusion and monitoring functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion function is provided by a simple single-lumen cannula in the disposable part, while monitoring and other functional capabilities are provided by separate components in the reusable housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the cannula remains simple while the system gains versatility.
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 infusion set effectively administers medicaments with improved tissue stimulation and flow supervision, reducing pain perception and maintaining system autonomy and cost-effectiveness, while allowing separate monitoring of health parameters without interference.
Implementation Method 1
a stimulator for electrically stimulating body tissue to improve the resorption kinetics of the medicament
Implementation Method 2
a heating element for heating body tissue to improve the resorption kinetics of the medicament
Implementation Method 3
an acoustic transducer for vibrating body tissue to improve the resorption kinetics of the medicament
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
Infusion set for administering a medicament delivered by an infusion pump (30) which can be carried separately from the infusion set, a) the infusion set comprising a disposable part (1), a reusable part (2), and an electrically powered functional component (7, 8), b) the disposable part (1) comprising: b1) an adhesive underside for attachment at an infusion site on a person's skin, b2) a single lumen infusion cannula (11) which projects from the underside and is the only skin piercing or penetrating element of the infusion set, b3) a first connector (15) for fluidically connecting the cannula to the infusion pump, b4) and a second connector (16), c) and the reusable part (2) comprising: c1) an energy source (21) for electrically powering the functional component (7, 8), c2) and a third connector (26) mating with the second connector (16) of the disposable part (1) to interconnect the disposable part (1) and the reusable part (2), d) wherein the reusable part (2) is in the interconnected state fluidically isolated from the disposable part (1); e) and wherein the disposable part (1) comprises a feeding line (4) fluidically connecting an upstream end of the first connector (15) with a downstream end of the cannula (11) to feed and deliver the medicament via the disposable part (1) and bypass the reusable part (2).