Transdermal Patch Pump Cam Needle Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transdermal drug delivery devices face challenges with reliability, safety, ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and versatility, particularly in varying drug viscosities and volumes, as well as maintaining sterile conditions and optimal needle insertion mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A transdermal delivery system with a cam-based needle actuation mechanism and a pump system featuring independently actuated pistons and valves, allowing for adjustable volume delivery and safe fluid connection, combined with a drug reconstitution device for varying drug properties, ensuring reliable, safe, and efficient drug administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate biasing element is used for needle insertion and withdrawal movements, then the needle actuation mechanism can achieve both insertion and withdrawal functions, but the reliability of the mechanism deteriorates due to increased complexity and potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the needle insertion and withdrawal actuation functions into a single integrated cam mechanism. The cam profile is designed with specific geometric features that simultaneously control both the insertion stroke (when the cam surface contacts the needle holder) and the withdrawal stroke (when the cam surface releases and the spring returns the needle). This merging of functions into a single mechanism eliminates the need for separate biasing elements for each direction, thereby improving reliability while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary element that translates rotational motion into the complex linear motion required for both needle insertion and withdrawal. The cam profile serves as a mediator between the simple rotational actuation and the compound linear movements needed for safe and reliable needle handling, eliminating the need for separate complex actuation systems for each function.
2Ease of operation
If a septum is configured to be pierced to bring the reservoir in fluid communication with the cannula, then fluid connection can be established, but the risk of contamination increases and ensuring sterile conditions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the septum component from the fluid connection system. Instead of using a septum that must be pierced (which creates contamination risks), the invention employs a direct fluid communication pathway between the reservoir and the cannula through precisely engineered fluid ports and channels. This removal of the septum eliminates the source of contamination while maintaining the ability to establish fluid connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable sterile barrier膜 (membrane) that is integrated into the reservoir-cannula connection system. This thin, sterile barrier is disposed of with the entire device after single use, eliminating the need for reusable septa that require piercing. The disposable nature ensures sterile conditions while maintaining ease of fluid connection establishment.
3Device complexity
If the pumped volume is defined by a fixed piston stroke, then the pump structure can be simple, but the ability to vary the pumped volume for different applications is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the pump system through a variable piston stroke mechanism. The piston stroke length can be dynamically adjusted within a range, allowing the pumped volume to be varied according to different application requirements. This dynamic capability is achieved through adjustable positioning mechanisms or variable geometry designs that maintain relative simplicity while providing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables volume variation by changing the geometric parameters of the piston stroke rather than fundamentally redesigning the pump structure. By adjusting parameters such as piston displacement distance or chamber volume, the system achieves versatility for different applications while maintaining a relatively simple base pump design. This parameter-based adjustment allows flexible volume control without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Ease of operation
If a thin needle and cannula gauge is used, then patient comfort is improved, but the transdermal delivery system must be designed to work effectively with these thinner components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by designing the needle and cannula interface with specific geometric and material properties tailored to thin gauge requirements. The needle holder and cannula holder are designed with localized features such as reduced friction surfaces, optimized engagement geometries, and appropriate material selections that ensure reliable operation with thin components while maintaining patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts key parameters of the transdermal delivery system to accommodate thin needle and cannula specifications. This includes modifying the insertion force parameters, engagement geometry parameters, and fluid flow parameters to ensure effective delivery while using thinner gauge components. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain reliability with improved patient comfort.
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 provides a reliable, safe, and cost-effective transdermal delivery solution for both standard and high viscosity drugs, with adjustable volume pumping and low energy consumption, enhancing patient comfort and operational ease while maintaining sterile conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a cam member (56) having a cam housing (58) and a spring (60) housed inside the cam housing (58) in order to impart rotational movement to the cam member (56) relative to the needle guiding element (20)
Implementation Method 2
a spring (60) housed inside the cam housing (58) in order to impart rotational movement to the cam member (56)
Implementation Method 3
a piston provided with a rack engaging a pinion gear of a motor and is mounted to move back and forth inside a floating piston which remains fixed by frictional engagement with the internal surface of the pump housing
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a patch pump comprising a cartridge, a power source, a pump system, a drug delivery device and a control system configured to operate in particular the pump system and the drug delivery device. The pump system includes, on the one hand, a pump having a pump housing containing a pump piston and a valve piston and, on the other hand, a pump drive including a piston motor and a valve motor for driving the pump piston and the valve piston independently from each other through a first and a second transmission. The drug delivery device includes a transdermal delivery system having a needle actuation mechanism configured for transdermal insertion of a cannula.


