Tiltable Infusion Housing with Spring-Loaded Cannula Inserter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing subcutaneous infusion and analyte sensing technologies face challenges such as manual insertion pain, limited insertion angles, and difficulty in securing devices to the skin, particularly at remote sites, due to rigid connections and precise needle piercing requirements.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a mounting housing with a tiltable well and an inserter that allows for automatic or manual insertion of a soft cannula or probe with adjustable angles, reducing pain and improving user safety by enclosing the penetrating member and enabling secure attachment to the skin with adhesive and anchoring mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual insertion with rigid hypodermic needle is used, then therapeutic fluid can be delivered subcutaneously, but insertion pain and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidinsertion pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate components: a mounting base that remains on skin and a penetrating member that can be detached after insertion. This segmentation allows the penetrating member to be optimized for painless insertion while the base provides stable mounting, resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and pain reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of manually pushing a rigid needle through skin, the device uses a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically propels the penetrating member into subcutaneous tissue. This inversion of the insertion mechanism reduces manual effort and minimizes patient pain while maintaining delivery effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connection between mounting base and cannula is used, then structural stability is improved, but insertion angle flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinsertion angle flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between mounting base and cannula transitions from rigid to flexible, allowing the cannula to be inserted at various angles relative to the skin surface. This dynamic connection maintains structural stability during use while providing angle flexibility during insertion, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If self-sealing septum is used at proximal end of cannula, then repeated needle piercing is enabled, but precise piercing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeated piercing capabilityVSAvoidneedle piercing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A hub component serves as an intermediary between the mounting base and cannula, providing a standardized interface that guides needle insertion. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for precise manual piercing by providing alignment features and a receptacle that automatically receives and secures the needle, while still enabling repeated connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If penetrating member is exposed during insertion, then insertion control is improved, but user safety is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion controlVSAvoiduser safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The penetrating member is nested within a protective housing during storage and handling, and can be extended only when needed for insertion. After insertion, the member is retracted back into the housing. This nesting arrangement maintains user safety by concealing the sharp member while preserving insertion control when the member is extended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2187994B1Device for facilitating infusion of therapeutic fluids and sensing of bodily analytes

Publication Date: 2018.03.28 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an assembly for use with a portable therapeutic device. The assembly includes a mounting housing securable to skin of a patient, and a cannula subcutaneously insertable through a passageway provided within the housing. The cannula is configured to be inserted subsequent to securing of the housing to the skin of the patient.