Transdermal Dosing Cartridge With Cam-Controlled Piston Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transdermal drug delivery systems are large, costly, and lack precision in dosage delivery, often requiring multiple doses due to rapid drug metabolism and causing tolerance and side effects.
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 drug delivery, allowing for accurate dosing and reduced size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current transdermal drug delivery systems are used, then drug delivery function is provided, but device size and cost are large and high
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a reusable motor housing containing the motor, controller, and power source, and a disposable drug cartridge containing the reservoir, piston, spring, and cam mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex motorized components to be reused while the simpler disposable components are replaced, reducing overall device cost and complexity while maintaining precise dosage delivery capability through the motorized cam rotation mechanism.
2Reliability
If multiple doses are administered to overcome rapid drug metabolism, then therapeutic effect is maintained, but tolerance and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements periodic action by using a motor to rotate the cam mechanism in controlled increments, delivering drug doses at precise time intervals. The controller receives actuation signals and rotates the cam a specific number of degrees to advance the piston and deliver a dose, then pauses between doses. This periodic, precisely-timed delivery maintains therapeutic effect consistency while reducing the need for excessive dosing that would increase tolerance and side effects.
3Ease of operation
If transdermal drug delivery is used, then drug delivery to patient is achieved, but device profile and footprint are large
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs nesting by placing the piston inside the reservoir, the spring inside the piston assembly, the cam mechanism inside the motor housing, and the disposable cartridge inside the reusable housing during storage and dispensing. This nested arrangement minimizes the device footprint and profile when not in use, making the device more compact and easier to apply to the patient while maintaining all necessary functional components.
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, controlled drug delivery with reduced size and cost, minimizing side effects and tolerance by aligning with circadian rhythms or bio-synchronous patterns, ensuring high drug delivery efficiency.
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.