Patch Fluid Delivery With Reusable-Disposable Split and Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patch-sized fluid delivery systems face challenges in reducing size, weight, and cost while ensuring reliable and precise delivery of therapeutic fluids, often requiring complex designs with multiple components and user interfaces that increase complexity and risk of malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A patch-sized fluid delivery system with a reusable and disposable portion, where the reusable portion contains electronic components and the disposable portion includes fluid management components, utilizing shape-memory actuators and flexible membrane material to achieve pumping and fluid control, with features like redundant systems and remote user interface to minimize user interaction and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If patch-sized fluid delivery systems use complex designs with multiple components and user interfaces, then functionality and control are improved, but device complexity and risk of malfunction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable portion containing electronic components (controller, power source, actuators) and a disposable portion containing fluid management components (reservoir, fluid path, cannula). This segmentation allows the complex electronic control system to be separated from the disposable fluid delivery system, maintaining functionality while enabling simpler replacement of the disposable portion without affecting the electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable portion includes all components that come into contact with the fluid (reservoir, fluid path, cannula) and is designed for single-use or limited-use. This allows the complex electronic controller to be reused while the disposable portion is discarded after use, reducing overall system complexity and malfunction risk by isolating wear-prone components.
2Volume of moving object
If the device size is reduced to patch-sized dimensions, then portability and patient comfort are improved, but space for components and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into reusable and disposable portions, each optimized for its specific function, the design accommodates all necessary components within patch-sized dimensions while maintaining reliability. The reusable portion houses the electronic control system with sufficient space for reliable operation, while the disposable portion contains the fluid delivery components.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable portion is designed to be removably engaged with the reusable portion, with the fluid management components nested within or attached to the housing. This nested arrangement allows compact integration of all components within the small patch-sized form factor while maintaining proper spacing and connection for reliable fluid delivery.
3Ease of manufacture
If the device uses reusable electronic components, then cost is reduced, but contamination risk and fluid management reliability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates components based on contamination risk: the reusable portion contains electronic components that do not contact the fluid, while the disposable portion contains all fluid-contacting components (reservoir, fluid path, cannula). This segmentation allows cost-effective reuse of expensive electronic components while ensuring sterility by discarding the disposable portion after a single use.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable portion is designed as a single-use or limited-use component that is discarded after use, eliminating contamination risk from reusable fluid-contacting components. The reusable electronic portion can be sterilized or sealed to prevent contamination, achieving both cost reduction and contamination prevention.
4Reliability
If the device includes redundant systems for safety, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable portion contains the controller with control logic for monitoring and controlling fluid delivery, while the disposable portion contains the physical fluid delivery components. This segmentation allows redundant control systems to be implemented in the reusable electronic portion without increasing the complexity of the disposable portion, which is discarded anyway.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors fluid delivery parameters and provides feedback control to ensure accurate and safe delivery. Sensors detect fluid flow, pressure, or volume and feed this information back to the controller, which adjusts actuator operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism provides safety without requiring complex mechanical redundancy.
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 effectively reduces size and weight while ensuring reliable and precise fluid delivery, with fail-safe operation and precise volume measurement, reducing the likelihood of malfunction and improving patient safety through redundant systems and remote monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing shape-memory actuators and flexible membrane material to achieve pumping and fluid control
Implementation Method 2
utilizing shape-memory actuators and flexible membrane material to achieve pumping and fluid control
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.