Patch Fluid Delivery With Acoustic Volume Sensing and Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable fluid delivery devices for therapeutic compounds are bulky, costly, and prone to malfunction, with challenges in reducing size, weight, and cost while ensuring safe and precise delivery of fluids to patients.
Innovation Solution
A patch-sized fluid delivery system with a reusable and disposable portion, incorporating a flexible membrane fluid path, shape-memory actuators, and redundant systems for fail-safe operation, including a finite fluid impedance and acoustic volume sensing for precise fluid measurement and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If portable fluid delivery devices are made smaller and lighter, then patient comfort and wearability are improved, but device reliability and precision control may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a reusable control unit containing electronics and a disposable fluid cartridge containing the reservoir and fluid path. This segmentation allows the heavy electronic components to be separated from the fluid delivery mechanism, enabling weight reduction in the wearable portion while maintaining full functionality in the reusable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid path components are nested within the disposable cartridge, which is inserted into the reusable control unit. The reservoir is nested within the cartridge housing, and the fluid path is integrated within the cartridge structure. This nested arrangement maximizes space efficiency and minimizes the overall device footprint and weight.
2Volume of moving object
If the device size is reduced to patch-sized dimensions, then wearability and patient comfort are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device is manufactured in two separate units: a reusable control unit and a disposable cartridge. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using optimized processes for its specific requirements, then assembled together. The disposable cartridge can be manufactured using cost-effective molding techniques, while the reusable unit incorporates more complex electronics that can be produced using standard PCB and electronic component assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid path incorporates flexible membranes and thin-film structures that can be manufactured using laminating and sealing techniques. The disposable cartridge uses thin-walled plastic construction that minimizes material usage and manufacturing complexity while achieving the required small form factor.
3Reliability
If redundant systems are added for fail-safe operation, then device reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates redundant pressure sensors and flow sensors that are pre-positioned to detect potential failures before they occur. The system includes backup control logic and safety mechanisms that are integrated into the reusable control unit, providing fail-safe operation without requiring additional external components or increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors and control mechanisms serve multiple functions: they monitor fluid delivery, detect occlusions, measure flow rates, and provide safety interlocks. This multi-functionality allows the redundant systems to be integrated into the existing device architecture without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same components perform multiple safety and monitoring roles.
4Measurement precision
If precise fluid measurement and control are implemented, then therapeutic delivery accuracy is improved, but device cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates pressure sensors and flow sensors that provide real-time feedback to the control system. The pressure sensor monitors fluid pressure in the reservoir and fluid path, while the flow sensor measures actual fluid delivery rate. This feedback enables the microprocessor to adjust pump operation, detect occlusions, and ensure precise therapeutic delivery accuracy through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces complex mechanical measurement mechanisms with electronic sensing systems. Instead of using mechanical flow meters or displacement sensors, the invention uses electronic pressure sensors and flow sensors that provide precise measurement with simpler construction and lower manufacturing cost. The acoustic volume sensing technique further reduces the need for complex mechanical measurement devices.
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 system achieves a compact, reliable, and cost-effective means of delivering therapeutic fluids safely and precisely, reducing the risk of malfunction and ensuring continuous operation with redundant components and fail-safe mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
shape-memory actuators
Implementation Method 2
acoustic volume sensing for precise fluid measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.