Port Connector Flow Paths for Modular Drug Injection Pumps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulin pumps face challenges in accommodating changes to specific components due to manufacturing difficulties, necessitating a device that can flexibly adapt to modifications in drug reservoirs and pump assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A port connector is introduced, which includes first and second flow paths, serving as a medium for drug delivery between the drug reservoir, pump assembly, and injection assembly, allowing for modular adjustments to accommodate changes in component structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the internal structure of insulin injectors is changed to enable miniaturization and automation, then the convenience for users is improved, but the difficulty of manufacturing and replacing assemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable modules including a pump assembly, drug reservoir, and injection assembly that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The pump assembly includes a pump body, drive mechanism, and fluid pathway components that can be produced separately and then coupled together, enabling flexible manufacturing and assembly replacement without requiring complete device re manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly is designed with universal coupling mechanisms and standardized interfaces that allow it to work with different drug reservoirs and injection assemblies. The drive mechanism can accommodate various pump configurations, and the fluid pathways are designed to interface with multiple component types, enabling a single pump assembly design to support multiple product configurations and future modifications
2Volume of moving object
If the device is miniaturized for user convenience, then the portability is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Components are nested within each other to minimize overall device volume. The drive mechanism is positioned within the pump assembly housing, the drug reservoir connects directly to the pump body, and the injection assembly is integrated into the overall structure. This nesting arrangement reduces the device to a compact form factor suitable for user portability while maintaining all necessary functional components
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are combined into integrated components. The pump assembly combines the pump body, drive mechanism, and fluid pathways into a single integrated unit. The injection assembly integrates the needle, hub, and connection mechanisms into one compact structure. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall internal structure despite the miniaturized scale
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
Enhances the versatility of the electroosmotic pump by maintaining the pump assembly's structure while enabling flexible modifications to the drug reservoir and injection assembly connections, reducing overall device thickness and user discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a pump assembly which electrochemically generates positive and negative pressures to suck and discharge the drug from the drug reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A drug injection device according to the present disclosure includes: a housing which includes a lid and a contact surface and in which a mounting space is formed between the lid and the contact surface; a drug reservoir which is disposed in the mounting space and in which a drug is stored; a pump assembly which electrochemically generates positive and negative pressures to suck and discharge the drug from the drug reservoir; a port connector which is disposed between the drug reservoir and the pump assembly and coupled to the drug reservoir and the pump assembly, and provides a first flow path through which the drug sucked from the drug reservoir to the pump assembly moves and a second flow path through which the drug discharged from the pump assembly moves; and an insertion tube coupled to the port connector and configured to inject the drug into a user.