Patch Pump Segmentation for Temporary Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ambulatory insulin infusion devices are bulky, heavy, and require continuous connection to the body, limiting patient mobility and increasing costs due to waste of insulin and high production costs, with no option for temporary disconnection during activities like showers or sauna.
Innovation Solution
A portable, programmable fluid dispensing patch-type pump system with a dispensing patch unit, a skin-adherable needle unit, and a remote control unit, allowing for connection and disconnection without damaging components, featuring a reusable and disposable configuration to minimize waste and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is continuously adhered to the patient's skin for the entire usage period, then the device provides continuous insulin delivery, but the patient cannot disconnect during activities like showers or sauna and must dispose of the entire device including expensive insulin
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separable parts: a reusable pump unit and a disposable needle unit. The needle unit contains the cannula inserted in the patient's body and can be disconnected from the pump unit. This segmentation allows the pump to be removed for activities like showers while leaving the needle unit in place, preventing insulin waste and reducing disposal costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pump is made bulky to include automatic insertion mechanism, then the device functionality is improved, but the device occupies substantial volume and becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic insertion mechanism is extracted from the pump unit and placed in a separate inserter device. The pump unit itself is made compact without the insertion mechanism, reducing its volume and weight. The inserter device can be used temporarily for insertion and then set aside, allowing the pump to be carried in a discreet manner.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pump includes expensive components like automatic insertion mechanism, then the device functionality is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into reusable and disposable parts. Expensive components like the pump housing, battery, and control electronics are made reusable, while the needle unit with cannula is disposable. This reduces production costs by avoiding the need to manufacture expensive insertion mechanisms in every disposable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable needle unit is discarded after use, while the expensive pump unit is recovered and reused. This approach reduces overall production costs by minimizing the manufacturing of expensive components and maximizing the utilization of high-value parts.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a long fluid delivery tube is used to permit needle insertion in remote sites, then the device can reach remote body sites, but the tubing is long and not discreet, disturbing body image
Solution Approach 1:
The long delivery tube is extracted from the pump unit and integrated into the disposable needle unit. This allows the tube to be as long as needed without increasing the size of the pump. The pump itself remains compact and discreet, while the extended tubing is contained within the disposable portion that is discarded after use.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A therapeutic fluid infusion system for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a human body, the system comprising: a first assembly (20) comprising: a cradle (300) configured for adhesion to a cutaneous region of the human body, a cannula (330), and a self-sealable septum (315), wherein a distal portion of the cannula (330) is configured for subcutaneous placement within the human body and wherein the self- sealable septum (315) separates a proximal portion of the cannula (330) from an external environment; and a second assembly (10) configured for removable attachment to the first assembly (20), the second assembly (10) comprising: a pump (120), a reservoir (220) for containing a therapeutic fluid, and a connecting lumen (250) configured to penetrate the self- sealable septum (315) in order to bring the second assembly (10) in fluid communication with the first assembly (20).