Spring-Driven Drug Delivery Device with Inclined Surface Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable drug delivery devices lack the capability to provide a strong enough driving force for a rapid bolus injection and fail to offer variable controlled administration rates, along with limited visual feedback for users regarding the drug solution.
Innovation Solution
A spring-driven drug delivery device with a medicament containment reservoir and a force transmission member featuring an inclined surface that generates consistent pressure for controlled drug delivery, including a cannula deployment assembly and visual indicators for delivery status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a mechanical wearable device is used for drug delivery, then the device can be worn on the skin with low profile, but the driving force is not strong enough to administer an injection as a single bolus in a short period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic plunger driver mechanism that can operate in multiple modes: a motor-driven mode for controlled infusion and a spring-loaded mode for rapid bolus injection. This dynamic capability allows the device to switch between different delivery rates and force levels, resolving the contradiction between maintaining a low-profile wearable design and providing sufficient driving force for rapid injection when needed.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a syringe pump is used to deliver contents over extended period time, then the delivery rate can be controlled, but the system fails to provide a strong enough source of driving force to administer an injection as a single bolus in a short period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger driver is designed with dual capabilities: a motor for slow, controlled movement over extended periods, and a spring mechanism for rapid, high-force movement. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt its driving force and delivery rate based on the required injection mode, whether controlled infusion or rapid bolus delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and stored ready to deliver a rapid bolus injection when needed. This preliminary preparation of the spring allows the system to instantly switch from controlled infusion mode to rapid bolus mode by releasing the stored energy, providing both extended duration control and high-force capability.
3Device complexity
If a sliding interface such as a plunger sliding along the inside of a syringe barrel is used, then the device can be simple in structure, but the plunger motion is not uniform down the barrel due to slip-stick phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a motor-driven plunger driver that provides controlled, uniform motion along the syringe barrel, eliminating the slip-stick phenomenon inherent in simple sliding interfaces. The motor's precise control capability ensures smooth, consistent plunger movement while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.
4Loss of information
If the syringe barrel is transparent to assess the drug solution, then the user can visually monitor the delivery, but wearable devices are typically concealed pouches that do not provide visual indication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators that change color or provide visual feedback to indicate drug solution status, delivery progress, and operational state. This allows the concealed pouch to maintain its low-profile wearable design while providing users with essential visual information about the drug solution and delivery status through color changes or indicator signals.
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
Enables efficient and controlled delivery of medicaments at both rapid and prolonged constant or variable rates, providing users with visual confirmation of drug delivery progress.
Implementation Method 1
The device may include a spring component configured to exert a force on the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
A force transmission member may have an inclined surface that contacts an inclined surface follower coupled to the outer surface of the reservoir. Force from the source may generate motion of the force transmission member, which causes the inclined surface to move relative to the inclined surface follower; motion of the inclined surface exerts a force on the outer surface of the reservoir. This force on the outer surface may generate pressure on the fluid contained in the inner cavity of the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device or patch-like delivery device which employs a spring force and an inclined surface to apply pressure on a fluid reservoir, thereby delivering medicament to a user's body. The slope of the inclined surface may be engineered to control the drug delivery rate. The device may be low profile and wearable, for example in the form of a patch. A visual indicator of the amount of medicament delivered or remaining may be incorporated, for example via a transparent window that shows the progression of an inclined surface as it presses on the reservoir. The device may incorporate mechanisms for automatic extension and retraction of a cannula at the beginning and end of drug delivery. Drug delivery rate may be limited with flow restrictors, and by using a two-reservoir system with a viscous liquid displacing a reservoir containing the medicament.