Touch-Actuated Micropump Using Phase-Change Fluid for Transdermal Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transdermal drug delivery systems are complex and rely on electrical to mechanical power transduction, increasing size and complexity, and often have limited shelf life, necessitating a simple, small, self-powered device that can deliver drug compounds over both short and extended periods without preparing the compound before use.
Innovation Solution
A touch-actuated micropump device utilizing a phase-change fluid chamber that changes volume in response to heat, deflecting a membrane to exert pressure on a drug compound chamber, allowing delivery through a needle into the vascular system, with optional mechanisms for mixing and activating compounds as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical to mechanical power transduction is used to dispense the drug, then the drug can be delivered through the skin, but the size and complexity of the drug delivery system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical-to-mechanical power transduction with a thermal expansion mechanism. A reservoir expands when heated by body temperature or external heat source, and this expansion mechanically drives a piston to pump the drug through the skin, eliminating the need for complex electrical components while maintaining reliable drug delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thermal expansion of the reservoir material in response to heat (phase transition or thermal expansion) to generate the mechanical force needed for drug pumping. This phase-based mechanism simplifies the system by using a passive thermal response instead of active electrical control
2Device complexity
If the device is made simple and small, then the system size is reduced, but the ability to deliver controlled doses over extended periods is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drug delivery system into multiple reservoirs, each containing a different dose of the drug. This segmentation allows the device to deliver multiple doses over extended periods while keeping each individual reservoir simple and small. The controller selectively activates specific reservoirs based on the required dose and timing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal pump mechanism that can handle multiple reservoirs with different drug formulations and dosing requirements. The single pump system serves multiple functions by drawing from different reservoirs, eliminating the need for separate pumping mechanisms for each dose while extending the overall delivery duration
3Ease of operation
If the drug compound is prepared in advance, then the device is ready for use, but the shelf life of the drug compound is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary preparation of the drug compound by storing it in a stable, inactive form in the reservoir. The actual activation and mixing of the drug compound occurs just before administration through controlled interaction with the pump mechanism, ensuring the drug maintains its stability during storage while being ready for immediate delivery when activated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical or chemical parameters of the drug compound storage condition to extend shelf life. The drug may be stored in a different phase, concentration, or chemical form that enhances stability, and then transformed into the active delivery form through controlled parameter changes (such as temperature, pressure, or pH changes) just before administration
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 micropump provides efficient and controlled delivery of drug compounds into the bloodstream, offering scalability, long shelf life, and the ability to deliver multiple doses over time, with the option to mix and activate compounds just before use, addressing the complexity and shelf life limitations of prior systems.
Implementation Method 1
A touch-actuated micropump device utilizing a phase-change fluid chamber that changes volume in response to heat
Implementation Method 2
a deformable member in fluid communication with the first chamber and configured to deflect in response to application of force to the deformable member, thereby increasing pressure in the first chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A micropump device. The micropump device includes a first layer forming a first chamber configured to store a working material, a second chamber defined by a deflectable membrane in fluid communication with the first chamber and configured to deflect in response to a pressure increase in the first chamber in response to a volume increase in the first chamber, the second chamber configured to store a drug compound to be delivered to a subject's vascular system, and at least one needle in fluid communication with the second chamber and configured to penetrate a subject's skin to pump the drug compound in response to the deflection of the deflectable membrane.