Segmented Fluid Delivery Device with Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ambulatory insulin infusion devices are bulky, uncomfortable, and expensive due to their design and the need for frequent replacement of entire devices, which limits user convenience and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid delivery device with a two-part configuration, where a reusable part contains the driving and pumping mechanisms, and a disposable part includes the fluid reservoir and batteries, allowing for cost-effective, skin-adherable infusion with various reservoir sizes and needle types, and implementing efficient communication protocols between the dispensing unit and a remote control unit to reduce power consumption and device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire device is replaced frequently (every 2-3 days), then reliability and hygiene are improved, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two distinct segments: a reusable portion containing the driving mechanism, controller, and electronics, and a disposable portion containing the reservoir, needle assembly, and delivery tube. This segmentation allows the expensive reusable portion to be manufactured once and used repeatedly, while only the cheaper disposable portion needs frequent replacement, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable portion of the device is designed as a low-cost component that can be frequently replaced without significant expense. By making this portion disposable and inexpensive to manufacture, the system achieves high reliability through frequent replacement while keeping manufacturing costs low.
2Power
If the device is made bulky with large driving mechanism, then pumping capability is improved, but device portability and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy driving mechanism is segregated into the reusable portion, which remains at the patient's home or can be charged periodically. The disposable portion that adheres to the patient's body is minimized in size and weight, containing only the reservoir, needle assembly, and delivery tube, thereby improving portability and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the reusable portion (containing the driving mechanism) and the disposable portion (adhered to the patient). This allows the powerful pump to be located remotely while still controlling the infusion at the patient's body, resolving the contradiction between pumping capability and portability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the delivery tube is made long to reach remote body sites, then versatility of insertion sites is improved, but device complexity and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented such that the needle assembly with cannula is part of the disposable portion that can be positioned at various remote sites on the patient's body. The reusable portion containing the pump and control electronics remains at a fixed location, allowing the delivery tube to be of sufficient length to reach remote sites without adding complexity to the pump mechanism itself.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A method (800) for communicating between a dispensing unit of a fluid delivery device and a paired command means, comprises: sending (802) a communication message from the dispensing unit at a beginning of a current communication cycle; enabling (804), for a limited period of a time, a wireless receiver provided on the dispensing unit; handling (810) an incoming message if the incoming message is received from the paired command means during the limited period of time; and waiting (820) for a next communication cycle to send a next communication message from the dispensing unit.