Resilient Sealing Element for Fluid Infusion Needle Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid infusion devices face challenges in creating a reliable seal between a removable fluid reservoir and a delivery needle, particularly during reservoir replacement, which can lead to contamination and inefficiencies in medication delivery.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element with a base section, tip section, and retractable body section, featuring a needle cavity and self-sealing slit, that deforms to accommodate and enclose the delivery needle, ensuring a fluid seal both during and after reservoir engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element is designed to remain stationary to maintain a fluid seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but the ability to accommodate needle insertion and reservoir replacement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element incorporates a retractable body section that can dynamically change position between retracted and extended states. When the reservoir is installed, the body section retracts to allow needle penetration. When the reservoir is removed, the body section extends to maintain the fluid seal, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining sealing reliability and accommodating needle insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is divided into distinct functional sections: a base section, a retractable body section, and a tip section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently - the base section provides structural support, the body section provides dynamic sealing adjustment, and the tip section maintains the fluid barrier, thereby achieving both reliability and adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sealing element is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the ability to deform for sealing is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element utilizes a flexible material structure that can be manufactured with high precision while maintaining the capability to deform. The material properties and geometric design allow the element to be precisely manufactured yet still flex and retract as needed, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and deformation capability.
3Reliability
If the sealing element fully encloses the needle to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but fluid delivery is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable body section dynamically adjusts the enclosure state of the needle. During reservoir installation, it retracts to permit needle penetration and fluid delivery. During reservoir removal, it extends to fully enclose the needle and prevent contamination. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between contamination prevention and fluid delivery.
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 sealing element effectively prevents contamination and ensures consistent fluid delivery by maintaining a seal between the reservoir and needle, facilitating easy reservoir replacement and reducing the risk of fluid ingress.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient sealing element may be positioned in the reservoir port receptacle... The exterior surface of the resilient sealing element may be urged against the interior surface of the reservoir port... to form a fluid seal
Implementation Method 2
a self-sealing slit formed in the tip section to accommodate the hollow fluid delivery needle when the sealing element is in a retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid infusion device that delivers medication fluid to a user includes a removable fluid reservoir having a reservoir port and a hollow fluid reservoir needle, a base plate having a reservoir port receptacle for the reservoir port and the reservoir needle, and an inlet structure in the reservoir port receptacle to define at least a portion of a fluid chamber. The fluid infusion device also includes a needle sealing element having a base section, an end section opposite the base section, a neck section between the base section and the end section, and a needle opening extending through the base section, the neck section, and the end section. A compression element is coupled around the neck section to impart an inward biasing force near the needle opening.