Patch Pump Catheter Insertion Mechanism With Automatic Needle Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patch pumps face challenges in minimizing their overall height while inserting a cannula perpendicularly into the skin, which can cause discomfort and complications, and require multiple components that increase production costs and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A manual insertion device with a retraction spring configuration using multiple barrel-shaped guides and a guiding boss, allowing for a smaller retraction spring, and aligning septum and side-port openings at the point of catheter insertion to create a tubeless fluid path, eliminating the need for movable tubing connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-barrel configuration is used for the retraction spring, then the device can maintain structural simplicity, but the retraction spring size increases and device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single-barrel configuration is divided into multiple barrel-shaped guides (first barrel, second barrel, third barrel) that work together to constrain the retraction spring. This segmentation allows the spring to be smaller while maintaining structural simplicity, as each barrel contributes to the overall constraint mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-barrel (one-dimensional constraint) to a multi-barrel (multi-dimensional constraint) configuration. The multiple barrels provide constraints in different spatial dimensions, enabling more effective spring containment and retraction force generation within a compact height.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used in the insertion device, then the device functionality is improved, but production costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into an integrated insertion device housing that incorporates multiple barrel-shaped guides, guiding bosses, and alignment features. This merging reduces the total component count, simplifies assembly, and maintains versatile functionality for catheter insertion and retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion device housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, guides catheter insertion through barrel-shaped guides, constrains the retraction spring, and enables alignment of fluid path openings. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing production costs and assembly complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tubing connection is used to connect the reservoir to the catheter, then fluid path flexibility is improved, but the device requires more space and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the tubing connection from the system by providing a direct fluid path through aligned openings in the insertion device housing, reservoir base, and catheter. This removal of unnecessary tubing reduces device complexity and space requirements while maintaining fluid path functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid path openings are pre-aligned in the housing, reservoir base, and catheter during manufacturing to create a ready-to-use direct fluid path. This preliminary alignment eliminates the need for tubing connections and complex assembly steps, reducing both device complexity and assembly complexity.
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 solution reduces the device's height, minimizes component count, lowers production costs, and simplifies assembly, while providing a compact, comfortable, and efficient cannula insertion mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a retraction spring configuration implemented using multiple barrel-shaped guides and at least one guiding boss in the insertion device housing
Data Source
AI summary
Manual insertion device has retraction spring (202) and hollow septum configuration (224) implemented using barrel-shaped guides (108, 110) and a guiding boss (210) in insertion device housing (106), and provides a fluid path through alignment of septum openings, side-port openings and catheter openings upon complete catheter insertion. Button (200) causes manual insertion of introducer needle (204) and catheter (220) of a first barrel (108) into a skin surface, and loading of retraction spring (202) disposed in an adjacent second barrel (110). Once introducer needle (204) and catheter (220) are fully inserted, the introducer needle hub (206) is released and automatically retracted by release of the retraction spring (202), leaving the catheter (220) in the user's body. Septums (218, 224) and side-port openings (216, 228) in the button (200) and introducer needle (204) are thus aligned, creating an uninterrupted fluid path between a reservoir or pump and catheter (220).