Torsion-Spring Conduit Insertion for Reliable Cannula Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulin infusion systems face challenges in efficiently and reliably inserting fluid conduits, such as tubing and cannulas, into subcutaneous tissue for diabetes management, particularly in terms of mechanical efficiency and fluid communication.
Innovation Solution
A torsional insertion mechanism utilizing a torsion spring to rotate a crank, which drives an insertion assembly with a trocar slider and conduit carrier, allowing for precise tissue piercing and fluid conduit insertion, with separate movements of the trocar slider and conduit carrier to facilitate insertion and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a torsional insertion mechanism with separate trocar slider and conduit carrier is used, then the reliability of fluid conduit insertion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion assembly is divided into separate functional components: a trocar slider for tissue piercing and a conduit carrier for fluid conduit delivery. These components can move independently, allowing the trocar to perform its piercing function while the conduit carrier delivers the fluid conduit, thereby improving reliability through specialized function separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The trocar slider is disposed within the conduit carrier, with the trocar slider moving along the conduit carrier. This nested arrangement allows both components to be housed within a single structural framework while maintaining independent movement capabilities, balancing device complexity with functional separation.
2Ease of operation
If the trocar slider is configured to separate from the conduit carrier upon piercing tissue, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trocar slider is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to slide along the conduit carrier during insertion and then separate from it after tissue piercing. This dynamic configuration enables the trocar to perform its piercing function independently while the conduit carrier maintains its position for fluid conduit delivery, improving operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The trocar slider is extracted from the conduit carrier after completing its piercing function. This separation allows the trocar to be removed or repositioned while the conduit carrier remains in place to deliver the fluid conduit, simplifying the overall operation by dividing the insertion process into distinct phases.
3Productivity
If a torsion spring is used to rotate the crank and drive the insertion assembly, then the productivity of the insertion process is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring is configured to automatically rotate the crank and drive the insertion assembly without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The spring's elastic energy storage and release mechanism provides self-powered actuation, improving productivity by eliminating the need for motors or electronic controls while adding only minimal mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring operates through periodic cycles of winding and unwinding, storing elastic energy when wound and releasing it to rotate the crank during unwinding. This periodic action provides consistent, repeatable insertion force while maintaining a simple mechanical structure, improving productivity through reliable cyclic operation.
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 reliable insertion of fluid conduits into subcutaneous tissue, maintaining fluid communication and reducing mechanical complexity, thereby enhancing the reliability of insulin delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring configured to rotate a crank based on a difference between a first spring state and a second spring state
Implementation Method 2
a trocar slider configured to pierce tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are techniques related to insertion of a fluid conduit (e.g., tubing connected to a fluid reservoir or a cannula sharing a pre-assembled fluid pathway with such tubing). In some embodiments, an insertion mechanism may include one or more springs (e.g., a torsion spring or a compression spring). The one or more springs may cause a trocar or a trocar slider to pierce tissue and insert the fluid conduit. The one or more springs may further cause the trocar or the trocar slider to be removed from the tissue.