Rotating Flow Channel Selector for Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable drug delivery systems using spring arrangements face issues with force decay, leading to variations in drug flow rate and uneven delivery due to the decaying spring force, which complicates achieving consistent basal flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow regulator system that includes a compliance plate and a flow channel selector plate, allowing for adjustable flow resistance by rotating the selector plate relative to the compliance plate and drug container, thereby regulating the flow rate of the liquid drug through a tapered channel, accommodating springs with varying k-values and maintaining consistent delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If spring arrangements are used to force the plunger to move, then the device can deliver drug slowly over time, but the spring force decays as the spring expands causing variations in flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulator dynamically adjusts the flow resistance by rotating the flow channel selector plate to different angular positions, changing the effective flow channel cross-section area. This dynamic adjustment compensates for the decaying spring force by increasing flow resistance as the spring expands and force decreases, thereby maintaining a more consistent flow rate throughout the delivery duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow resistance parameter by selectively exposing different portions of the flow channel to the fluid flow path. By rotating the flow channel selector plate, the system varies the flow channel cross-section area, thereby adjusting the flow resistance to compensate for spring force decay and maintain consistent drug delivery.
2Device complexity
If spring force is used to drive plunger movement, then the device structure is simple, but the flow rate varies due to force decay
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulator introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the flow channel selector plate can be rotated to different angular positions, changing the flow channel configuration and resistance in real-time. This allows the system to maintain consistent flow rate (improving productivity) while adding only moderate complexity through a rotatable plate with flow channels.
3Force
If the flow channel cross-section area is reduced, then the flow resistance increases and flow rate decreases, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel selector plate is nested within the compliance plate assembly, with the flow channels formed within the thickness of the selector plate. This nesting approach allows the flow resistance adjustment mechanism to be integrated into the existing device structure without significantly increasing overall device complexity, while still achieving variable flow resistance through rotational adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow regulator of a fluid delivery system that can adjust a flow rate of a liquid drug dispensed from a liquid drug container to a user is provided. The fluid flow regulator can be coupled to an end of the liquid drug container. The fluid flow regulator can include a compliance plate and a flow channel selector plate having a fluid flow channel. The flow channel selector plate can be rotated relative to the compliance plate and the liquid drug container to expose a selected portion of the fluid flow channel to openings in the compliance plate that are in fluid communication with the liquid drug stored in the liquid drug container. The selected portion of the fluid flow channel can correspond to a corresponding flow resistance of the liquid drug through the fluid flow channel, thereby regulating the flow of the liquid drug to the user.