Patch Fluid Delivery Architecture With Reusable-Disposable Split
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patch-sized fluid delivery systems for therapeutic compounds 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 malfunction rates.
Innovation Solution
A patch-sized fluid delivery system with a modular design featuring a reusable and disposable portion, utilizing shape-memory actuators, flexible membrane material, and integrated sensors for precise fluid management, including a pump, valve, and impedance control to ensure safe and efficient delivery, with redundant systems for reliability and minimal user interface components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex designs with multiple components and user interfaces are used, then reliable and precise delivery of therapeutic fluids can be achieved, but device size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable portion containing electronic components, sensors, and control systems, and a disposable portion containing the fluid reservoir and delivery mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex reusable portion to be manufactured with high reliability standards while the disposable portion can be simplified for cost-effective production and single-use disposal, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable portion that contains all fluid-contact components and is intended for single-use only. This disposable component can be manufactured simply and inexpensively, while the expensive, complex electronic control systems are contained in the reusable portion. This approach reduces overall device cost and complexity while maintaining reliable delivery through the sophisticated reusable control systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex designs with multiple components and user interfaces are used, then precise delivery control can be achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the device into reusable and disposable portions, the invention allows high-precision manufacturing of the reusable electronic control systems to be performed once, while the disposable portion uses simpler, lower-cost manufacturing processes. The precision delivery control is achieved through the reusable portion's sensors and actuators, while the disposable portion is manufactured cost-effectively as a single-use component.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable portion contains all components that come into contact with fluid and are subject to wear or contamination. These components can be manufactured simply and disposed of after single use, eliminating the need for expensive, precision manufacturing across the entire device. The reusable portion contains the precision control systems that are manufactured once and reused, reducing overall manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components and user interface elements are included, then comprehensive fluid management is achieved, but malfunction rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates comprehensive fluid management functions into the reusable portion (electronic control, sensing, actuation) while the disposable portion contains only the essential fluid delivery components. This segmentation reduces the total number of components that could potentially malfunction while maintaining comprehensive fluid management capability through the sophisticated reusable control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the fluid-contact portion disposable, the invention eliminates the risk of malfunction from worn, contaminated, or degraded components. The disposable portion is replaced after single use, ensuring reliable operation without the accumulation of failures that would occur with reusable fluid-contact components. The comprehensive fluid management is maintained through the reusable electronic control systems.
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 reliable, precise, and safe delivery of therapeutic fluids with reduced size and weight, minimizing malfunctions and user interface complexity, while ensuring fail-safe operation and precise volume control, enhancing patient safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing shape-memory actuators
Implementation Method 2
flexible membrane material
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.