Vortex Flow Adapter Regulates Injection Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drug delivery devices face challenges in maintaining consistent injection rates due to variations in drug viscosity, leading to user dissatisfaction, discomfort, and partial dosing issues.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a vortex flow adapter within the drug delivery device's fluid flow path, which generates minor head losses and alternating vortex patterns to regulate flow rates, reducing the device's sensitivity to viscosity changes and eliminating the need for complex electromechanical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple flow path is used in the drug delivery device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the injection rate becomes highly sensitive to viscosity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vortex flow adapter that fundamentally changes the flow parameters by generating alternating vortices. This transforms the flow regime from laminar to turbulent, creating a flow pattern where the injection rate becomes less sensitive to viscosity variations. The vortex generator modifies the physical parameters of fluid flow to achieve more predictable delivery across varying drug viscosities.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex flow adapter acts as an intermediary element inserted into the fluid flow path between the reservoir and needle. This intermediate component introduces controlled turbulence and alternating vortices that mediate the relationship between pressure differential and flow rate, decoupling the injection rate from direct viscosity dependence while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.
2Reliability
If complex electromechanical feedback systems are used to regulate flow rates, then injection rate consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex flow adapter provides self-regulating flow control through passive fluid dynamic mechanisms. The alternating vortices generated by the adapter automatically adjust the flow characteristics based on the pressure differential and viscosity conditions, eliminating the need for external sensors, motors, or electronic feedback systems. The system serves itself by using the inherent properties of vortex flow to maintain consistent injection rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electromechanical feedback systems with a purely passive fluid dynamic solution. Instead of using motors, sensors, and electronic controllers to regulate flow, the invention uses the physical phenomenon of vortex flow to achieve flow regulation. This substitution eliminates complex subsystems while maintaining injection rate consistency across varying viscosity conditions.
3Productivity
If high forces are applied to maintain desired flow rate in high viscosity drugs, then the injection can be completed, but user discomfort and partial dosing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex flow adapter introduces periodic, alternating vortices into the fluid flow path. These oscillating flow patterns create dynamic pressure distributions that facilitate drug delivery through high-viscosity formulations. The periodic action of the vortices prevents flow stagnation and reduces the peak forces required, making the injection process more comfortable for users while ensuring complete dosing.
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
This solution ensures consistent and predictable injection rates across a wide range of viscosities, reducing variability and the need for complex feedback systems, thereby enhancing user experience and delivery accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The vortex flow adapter is adapted to generate substantial minor head losses within the fluid flow by generating two types of vorticity within the adapter. A first type of vortex is generated within the adapter in the form of large scale vortices that spin in alternating directions. A second type of vortex is generated within the adapter in the form of small scale vortices (i.e., turbulence).
Implementation Method 2
A second type of vortex is generated within the adapter in the form of small scale vortices (i.e., turbulence).
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device includes a housing, a container disposed in the housing, a drive mechanism, a needle assembly, a fluid flow path, and a vortex flow adapter. The container contains a medicament which is urged out of the container by the drive mechanism. The needle assembly has a needle and/or a cannula to deliver the medicament from the container. The fluid flow path fluidically connects the container and the needle assembly. The vortex flow adapter is disposed within or defines at least a portion of the fluid flow path, and is adapted to urge the medicament to flow in a vortex pattern.