Modular Micro-Needle Transfer Device with Nested Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-transfer devices are unsuitable for large molecule substances, have complex production processes, and often face issues with adequate sealing between layers, limiting their effectiveness in delivering or withdrawing substances.
Innovation Solution
A modular transfer device kit comprising a micro-needle element, active substance cartridge, and drive substance cartridge, with improved sealing mechanisms and channel designs on micro-needles to accommodate large molecules and enhance assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing micro-transfer devices are used, then they can transfer substances, but they are unsuitable for large molecule substances and have complex production processes
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate cartridges (active substance cartridge, drive substance cartridge) and a micro-needle element that can be assembled together. This modular segmentation simplifies manufacturing of individual components while enabling versatility through different cartridge configurations for various substance types including large molecules.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-needle element with communicating channels is designed to work with different types of cartridges (active substance, drive substance, sample) making the system universally applicable for both delivering large molecule substances and withdrawing bodily fluids, resolving the limitation of existing devices.
2Reliability
If existing micro-transfer devices are used, then they can deliver substances, but they face issues with adequate sealing between layers
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is positioned between the active substance cartridge and drive substance cartridge, with sealing protrusions extending from the membrane into recesses of the cartridges. This nested arrangement creates reliable sealing interfaces while maintaining a compact modular structure, improving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary sealing element between the active substance cartridge and drive substance cartridge. The sealing protrusions and recesses provide dedicated sealing interfaces that reliably prevent leakage while simplifying the overall sealing mechanism through modular design.
3Ease of manufacture
If a modular design is used, then assembly is easier and production is simpler, but sealing between components must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing protrusions extend from the membrane into recesses of the cartridges, creating nested sealing interfaces. This design maintains reliable sealing between modular components while preserving the assembly advantages of modular design, as the sealing features are integrated into the cartridge structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing protrusions and recesses are pre-formed as integral features of the membrane and cartridges during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of sealing interfaces ensures reliable sealing when the modular components are assembled, maintaining both ease of assembly and sealing reliability.
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 modular design allows for easier production and assembly, improves sealing, and is suitable for both delivering active substances and withdrawing bodily fluids, particularly effective for large molecule substances, reducing leakage and blockages.
Implementation Method 1
Heating of the heating elements on the activating layer heats the drive substance in the corresponding drive substance accommodating chambers, which expands to urge the stretchable membrane into the corresponding active substance accommodating chamber or chambers
Implementation Method 2
when pressure is applied by the drive substance to the stretchable membrane, the stretchable membrane in turn stretches and is urged into the corresponding active substance accommodating chamber, thereby applying pressure to the active substance therein
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-needle delivery device (1) comprises an active substance accommodating layer (17) having active substance accommodating chambers (20) therein, a drive substance accommodating layer (32) having drive substance accommodating chambers (35) therein aligned with the active substance accommodating chambers (20), an activating layer (45) having heating elements (48) aligned with the drive substance accommodating chambers (35) for heating a drive substance therein, and a micro-needle element (8) having a needle support layer (9) and a plurality of micro-needles (12) extending therefrom. A burstable first membrane (22) is located between and sealably secured to the micro-needle element (8) and to the active substance accommodating layer (17) for sealably closing the active substance accommodating chambers (20) at one end. A second stretchable membrane (30) is located between and sealably secured to the drive substance accommodating layer (32) and to the active substance accommodating layer (17) sealably closes the active substance accommodating chambers (20) at the other end, and the drive substance accommodating chambers (35). A third membrane (40) sealably closes the drive substance accommodating chambers (35).