Rotational Drive Cannula Insertion for Reliable, Lower-Pain Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infusion sets for ambulatory infusion pumps face challenges such as high failure rates, pain, and user apprehension due to the choice between soft cannulas with high failure rates and steel needles, along with issues of ease of use and sterilization, particularly with 90-degree infusion sets.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a torsion spring, drive wheel, and linear slide mechanism that rotates to insert and retract a cannula into the skin, with an infusion set base that securely holds the cannula in place, allowing for easy and safe transcutaneous fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a steel needle is used for infusion set insertion, then the initial failure rate is reduced, but user pain and apprehension increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a needleless insertion mechanism as an intermediary between the traditional steel needle and the soft cannula. The drive wheel assembly with rotating needleless cannula provides a mediator that achieves reliable insertion without the harmful effects of steel needles, thereby reducing user pain and apprehension while maintaining low failure rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical needle-based insertion system with a needleless rotational drive system. The drive wheel mechanism substitutes the piercing action of a steel needle with a rotational insertion method, eliminating the harmful factors associated with needles while maintaining insertion reliability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a soft cannula is used for infusion set insertion, then user pain and apprehension are reduced, but the initial failure rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic insertion mechanism where the drive wheel rotates to progressively insert the cannula at an angle. This dynamic approach allows the soft cannula to be inserted effectively without compromising reliability, transforming the static soft cannula into a dynamically controlled insertion process that overcomes its traditional reliability issues
3Ease of operation
If a 90-degree rigid cannula is used for infusion set insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but the failure rate increases due to needle breakage and fluid leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a curved or angled insertion path through the drive wheel mechanism rather than a rigid 90-degree approach. The rotating drive wheel allows the cannula to follow a curved trajectory during insertion, reducing stress and preventing breakage while maintaining ease of insertion, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of use and reliability
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
The system provides efficient, safe, and easy insertion of infusion cannulas, reducing failure rates and user discomfort while ensuring secure cannula placement and reliable fluid delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The torsion spring, when actuated, is configured to rotate the drive wheel to cause the linear slide to move axially to drive the stylet and cannula into a user's skin
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering fluid to a user transcutaneously includes a torsion spring, a drive wheel, a linear slide having a stylet attached thereto, and a cannula. The torsion spring, when actuated, is configured to rotate the drive wheel to cause the linear slide to move axially to drive the stylet and cannula into a user-s skin.