Transdermal Reservoir Cartridge With Cam-Controlled Bolus Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transdermal drug delivery systems are large, have a high profile, include moving parts, are costly, and lack accuracy in dosage delivery, leading to increased drug use and side effects due to tolerance and metabolism issues.
Innovation Solution
A transdermal drug delivery device with a reservoir, transdermal membrane, piston, control rod, and rotational cam, utilizing a motor-activated rotational cam to precisely control formulation expulsion through a semi-annular or linear plunger mechanism, allowing for accurate and sequential bolus deliveries based on circadian rhythms or bio-synchronous patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If current transdermal drug delivery systems are used, then drug delivery function is provided, but device size and profile are large
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a reusable motorized control unit and a disposable drug reservoir cartridge. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be compact while the motor unit handles the complex dosing mechanics, resolving the contradiction between small size and reliable dosage delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pump systems with an electrical motor-driven plunger mechanism. This substitution enables more precise control of drug delivery dosage and timing while reducing the overall device footprint, as electrical motors can be made much smaller than mechanical pumps.
2Ease of manufacture
If current transdermal drug delivery systems are used, then drug delivery function is provided, but device cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the expensive reusable motor unit from the inexpensive disposable cartridge, the system allows mass production of low-cost cartridges while the precision motor unit is manufactured once and reused. This significantly reduces per-use costs while maintaining dosing accuracy through the precision motor control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable drug reservoir cartridge that is inexpensive to manufacture and discard after use. This eliminates the need to make the entire device disposable while ensuring sterility and dosing accuracy, as each new cartridge is factory-sealed and pre-filled with precise drug formulations.
3Reliability
If multiple doses of drug are administered over time, then desired therapeutic effect is achieved, but tolerance and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device delivers drug in controlled periodic doses rather than continuous administration. The motor-driven plunger system can be programmed to deliver precise bolus doses at specific intervals, allowing the body to metabolize between doses and reducing cumulative tolerance and side effects while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dosing tracking and control mechanisms that monitor how much drug has been delivered and when. This feedback control ensures precise dosage timing and amounts, preventing overdose and allowing optimization of dosing intervals to minimize tolerance development while maintaining therapeutic effect.
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 device provides precise, efficient, and cost-effective transdermal drug delivery with reduced size and weight, minimizing side effects by optimizing dosage and reducing the need for frequent administration.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is configured to apply force to the control rod in the direction of the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The transdermal membrane is configured to allow the formulation from the reservoir to pass therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A transdermal drug delivery device includes a reservoir, a transdermal membrane, a piston, a control rod, a spring, and a rotational cam. The reservoir is configured to hold a formulation. The transdermal membrane is configured to allow the formulation from the reservoir to pass therethrough. The piston is configured to move into the reservoir. The control rod is attached to the piston and includes a plurality of teeth thereon. The spring is configured to apply force to the control rod in the direction of the reservoir. The rotational cam has a first camming surface and a second camming surface that are configured to engage with the plurality of teeth. The rotational cam, when rotated, is configured to disengage the first camming surface from a first tooth of the plurality of teeth, thereby allowing the spring to advance the piston into the reservoir to expel the formulation onto the transdermal membrane.