Subcutaneous Medicament Delivery With Reusable Pump and Spring Cannula
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infusion pumps are inadequate for delivering liquid formulations of levodopa/carbidopa, which are necessary for treating Parkinson's Disease and other CNS disorders, due to differences in drug dosage and symptom profiles compared to diabetes treatment, requiring a specialized device for effective subcutaneous delivery.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device with a reusable part containing a drive component and control unit, and a disposable part with a reservoir and cannula insertion mechanism, allowing for easy filling, reduced manual dexterity requirements, and adjustable delivery modes, including bolus and basal delivery, to accommodate various medical conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional infusion pumps designed for diabetes treatment are used, then liquid medicament delivery is achieved, but the device is inappropriate and ineffective for Parkinson's Disease due to different dosage volumes and symptom profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a programmable control system that allows customization of delivery parameters (dosage volume, infusion rate, timing) specifically tailored to Parkinson's Disease treatment requirements, rather than using generic diabetes pump settings. This enables the same device to reliably deliver condition-appropriate therapy.
2Ease of operation
If manual filling and operation is required, then device simplicity is maintained, but patient effort and manual dexterity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device features an automated needle insertion mechanism that self-penetrates the skin to access the subcutaneous space, eliminating the need for manual needle handling by the patient. The pump also includes automated priming and flushing functions that perform preparatory operations without user intervention, reducing physical effort while accepting increased mechanical automation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single integrated unit is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but flexibility for different delivery modes (bolus and basal) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to dynamically switch between different delivery modes (continuous basal infusion and intermittent bolus injections) based on programmed parameters. The pump can adjust flow rates, pause intervals, and dosing schedules programmatically, providing therapeutic flexibility through software control rather than multiple physical configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved device delivers a fluid medicament to the subcutaneous tissue of a user. The device is better suited for patients with Parkinson's Disease and other central nervous system disorders, than conventional infusion devices. The device can include a reusable part including a drive component (e.g., motor) and control electronics and a disposable part including a medicament reservoir. Medicament can be evacuated from the medicament reservoir by a plunger assembly that includes a plunger attached to a lead screw that is rotated by a nut, all within the disposable part. The device can be fluidically coupled with the tissue via a flexible cannula. Various embodiments relate to an improved cannula insertion mechanism that delivers the cannula under a force applied by a spring. Various embodiments relate to improved filling of the device, for example, using a vial adapter and an automated filling station.