Removable-Top Infusion Device for Tubing-Free Subcutaneous Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable infusion devices for therapeutic delivery suffer from malfunctions, size, weight, and cost issues, and often require frequent re-location due to their design and the use of additional tubing, which can be cumbersome and prone to occlusion.
Innovation Solution
A disposable infusion device system with a removable top portion and a cannula, connected via a piercing needle to a reservoir, allowing for subcutaneous fluid delivery without additional tubing, and optionally including an autoinserter and a reusable housing with a volume sensor assembly for controlled fluid infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional tubing is used to connect the reservoir to the infusion device, then fluid delivery is enabled, but the device size increases and tubing-related occlusion issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reservoir and infusion device into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate tubing connections. The reservoir is positioned within the device housing and directly communicates with the infusion mechanism, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining fluid delivery reliability and eliminating tubing-related occlusion problems.
2Ease of operation
If the device is made smaller and more portable, then wearability is improved, but the device becomes more prone to malfunction and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the infusion system into modular components: a reusable device housing containing the pump and control electronics, and a disposable reservoir cartridge. This segmentation allows the critical functional elements to be miniaturized for wearability while the disposable cartridge can be precisely manufactured with high reliability standards, reducing overall malfunction rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable reservoir cartridge that is pre-filled and sealed, eliminating the need for complex sterilization and manufacturing processes in the reusable device. The disposable nature ensures high reliability through controlled manufacturing conditions while keeping the main device small and portable, as the reservoir can be easily replaced rather than maintained.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device design requires frequent re-location, then application flexibility is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the device with universal applicability through a standardized adhesive interface and modular reservoir system that can be applied to various body locations. The device maintains its function across different application sites without requiring re-location, as the integrated design eliminates tubing that would be constrained by movement, thereby improving user convenience while preserving application flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion device. The infusion device includes a top portion comprising an introduction needle, and a bottom portion comprising a cannula, the top portion removably attached to the bottom portion, wherein the introduction needle is used to insert the cannula, and wherein after insertion, the top portion is removed from the bottom portion.