NFC Patch Insulin Pump With Thermal and Electrolytic Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional insulin injection methods fail to accurately replicate physiological insulin secretion patterns, leading to suboptimal blood glucose regulation, require multiple daily injections causing discomfort and metabolic complications, lack flexibility in dosage adjustments, and pose hygiene and infection risks.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-miniaturized wireless-controlled patch-type insulin pump utilizing NFC technology for power and control, incorporating thermally driven and pneumatic fluid pumps for precise insulin delivery, with disposable reservoirs and a simplified design for easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional insulin injection methods are used, then patients can receive insulin therapy, but they require multiple daily injections causing discomfort and metabolic complications at injection sites
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system segments the insulin delivery function into a wearable external pump unit and disposable reservoir units. The pump contains a motor-driven infusion mechanism that delivers insulin continuously through a cannula, eliminating the need for repeated needle injections. This segmentation allows the harmful injection-related complications to be avoided while maintaining effective insulin delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable reservoir units are pre-filled and designed for single-use, automatically connecting to the pump system. The motorized infusion mechanism automatically regulates insulin flow rates, eliminating the need for patients to manually perform multiple injections throughout the day, thereby reducing both operational burden and injection-site complications.
2Reliability
If traditional insulin injection methods are used, then patients can control their blood glucose, but they lack flexibility in dosage adjustments and real-time control
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system employs a motorized infusion mechanism with programmable controls that allow dynamic adjustment of insulin delivery rates in real-time. The system can switch between different infusion modes (basal rate, bolus dose, combined mode) and adjust flow rates based on patient needs, blood glucose monitoring data, and lifestyle factors, providing both reliable glucose control and flexible dosage adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where blood glucose monitoring data informs pump control decisions. The programmable microprocessor analyzes glucose levels and automatically adjusts insulin delivery parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances both the reliability of glucose regulation and the flexibility of dosage adjustments based on real-time physiological conditions.
3Reliability
If wearable insulin pumps are used, then precise glycemic control is achieved, but device complexity and power supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the complex power supply and control electronics into a separate reusable pump unit, while the disposable reservoir units contain only the essential insulin storage and delivery components. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on the disposable portion, allowing precise glycemic control through the pump's motorized mechanism without requiring the entire system to be complex and disposable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable reservoir units that are simpler in design and lower in cost, replacing only the consumable insulin storage portion. The expensive, complex pump unit with motor and power supply is reusable. This approach maintains precise glycemic control through the sophisticated pump mechanism while minimizing the complexity and cost of disposable components.
4Ease of operation
If self-injection methods are used, then patients can administer insulin independently, but hygiene and infection risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable reservoir units are pre-filled in a controlled manufacturing environment with sterile conditions, eliminating the need for patients to handle needles or perform injection procedures. The sealed disposable units maintain hygiene throughout use, and the single-use design prevents cross-contamination and infection risks associated with repeated handling and needle reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism - the motorized pump with sealed disposable reservoirs - that mediates between the patient and the insulin delivery process. The patient simply attaches the pre-sterilized disposable unit to the pump, and the system handles all injection functions automatically through a controlled cannula insertion, eliminating direct patient contact with injection equipment and reducing infection risks.
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
Provides precise glycemic control, reduces operational complexity, enhances patient comfort, and accommodates lifestyle changes with customizable drug capacity and real-time adjustments, minimizing infection risks.
Implementation Method 1
The control circuit includes a NFC coil configured to receive a NFC signal wirelessly
Implementation Method 2
a heating electrode (1-11) in the first subset of the first and second drug reservoir lids (1-3)
Implementation Method 3
utilizing volumetric changes of a thermal expansion material (1-5) to facilitate drug injection into a patient's body
Implementation Method 4
an electrolytic electrode (1-12) in the second subset of the first and second drug reservoir lids (1-3)
Data Source
AI summary
An ultra-miniaturized wireless-controlled patch-type drug pump and a production method thereof, in the field of biomedical engineering device technology, are disclosed. The pump utilizes near-field communication (NFC) technology commonly found in smartphones to power the circuit. It injects drug into patients' bodies via volume alteration of a thermal expansion material and a gas generated by an electrolytic electrode, attaining pre-meal bolus and basal rate drug infusion. The drug pump has a relatively simple structure, a small size, and no need for an internal power supply, thereby alleviating at least some of the burden on patients and enhancing the comfort and convenience of wearing the pump. Meanwhile, it can be controlled through a smartphone application, simplifying the operation(s) of the pump and providing users with a precise and convenient drug injection approach.