Wearable Drug Delivery Device With Reusable Pump And Single-Use Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable drug delivery devices face challenges in achieving a compact, easy-to-use, fluid-tight, and robust design while minimizing waste and manufacturing costs, particularly in semi-disposable patch pumps with auto-inserting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A modular, semi-disposable patch pump design with reusable components, including a reservoir unit for single use and a pump unit for multiple uses, featuring a bayonet coupling for easy attachment and detachment, and a base frame with integrated electrical connectors for reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a modular semi-disposable design with reusable pump unit and single-use reservoir unit is implemented, then waste is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but device complexity increases due to multiple units and coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a reusable pump unit containing the drive mechanism, control electronics, and power source, and a single-use reservoir unit containing the medicament reservoir and needle assembly. This segmentation allows the complex reusable components to be manufactured once and reused, while the disposable reservoir unit is discarded after a single use, reducing waste of expensive components while maintaining functional complexity where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir unit is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, while the pump unit is recovered and reused for subsequent treatments. This approach recovers the expensive reusable components (pump, electronics, power source) while discarding only the consumable reservoir and needle assembly, optimizing the balance between waste reduction and cost management.
2Ease of operation
If a bayonet coupling mechanism is used for attaching the reservoir unit to the pump unit, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the coupling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet coupling mechanism is pre-configured on both the pump unit and reservoir unit with aligned coupling surfaces and engagement features. The user simply needs to align and push the units together, with the coupling mechanism automatically engaging in the correct position. This preliminary configuration of the coupling interfaces eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures or multiple adjustment steps during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If integrated electrical connectors are incorporated into the base frame, then manufacturing cost is lowered and complexity is reduced, but reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connectors are integrated directly into the base frame structure, combining the mechanical support function of the base frame with the electrical connection function. This merging eliminates separate electrical connector components and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The integrated design ensures reliable electrical connections for power and data transfer between the pump unit and external devices, while simplifying the overall device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device for conducting a medical therapy includes a housing with an exit port opening, and an exit port assembly, where said exit port assembly includes a rigid exit port sealing holder and a soft exit port sealing, and provides both a fluid-tight closure of the exit port opening and a fluid-tight connection between the housing and the rigid exit port sealing holder.