Wearable Infusion Subassembly With Automated Pump Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual expulsion of medicaments, particularly oncology drugs, from delivery devices requires significant manual effort and uncomfortable working positions for healthcare professionals, leading to strain and time inefficiencies during the injection process.
Innovation Solution
A wearable infusion subassembly with a pump and container supporting portion integrated into a user wearable garment, allowing for medicament delivery without manual plunger pushing, featuring a control unit and actuator for ergonomic and efficient medicament administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual plunger pushing is used to expel medicament, then the medicament delivery device can be operated with simple structure, but the healthcare professional experiences physical strain and discomfort during the injection process
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical plunger pushing system is replaced with an automated pump system that can be integrated into wearable garments. The pump uses mechanical or electrical actuation to dispense medicament, eliminating the need for healthcare professionals to manually push plungers during prolonged injections, thereby reducing physical strain and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The medicament delivery system is designed to be self-operating through automated pump mechanisms that control medicament flow without requiring continuous manual intervention. The pump automatically dispenses medicament at controlled rates, allowing the healthcare professional to simply monitor the process rather than physically manipulate the delivery device throughout the injection.
2Productivity
If manual medicament expulsion is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the injection process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The manual plunger mechanism is replaced with an automated pump system capable of maintaining consistent medicament flow rates over extended periods. This automation eliminates the time loss associated with manual repositioning and effort, allowing continuous injection at optimal speeds without interruption or fatigue-related delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system provides dynamic control over medicament delivery rates, allowing adjustment of flow speed to match clinical requirements. This enables faster injection when appropriate while maintaining control and precision, thereby reducing overall injection time compared to manual methods that must accommodate operator fatigue and repositioning needs.
3Ease of operation
If manual plunger pushing is required for prolonged injections, then the device can be kept simple, but the healthcare professional must maintain uncomfortable working positions
Solution Approach 1:
The manual plunger system is replaced with an automated pump that can be integrated into wearable garments or positioned away from the injection site. This allows the healthcare professional to monitor the injection process while maintaining comfortable working positions, as the pump automatically handles the medicament delivery throughout the prolonged injection duration without requiring sustained manual effort in awkward positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The medicament delivery function is segmented into separate components: the pump mechanism can be positioned independently from the injection site, potentially integrated into the healthcare professional's attire or mounted on equipment. This segmentation allows the professional to maintain ergonomic positions while the automated pump handles the prolonged medicament delivery, separating the functions of medicament propulsion and injection monitoring.
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 infusion subassembly reduces the physical strain on healthcare professionals by enabling hands-free medicament delivery, improving efficiency and comfort during the injection process.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, and a user wearable garment... wherein the pump is connectable to the end portion of the end surface, and wherein the pump is configured to force medicament from the medicament container to be dispensed through the opening of the end surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an infusion subassembly, comprising a pump, and a user wearable garment including a protruding support portion supporting the pump to the user wearable garment. The user wearable garment further includes a container supporting portion, the container supporting portion being configured to support a medicament container to the user wearable garment. The container supporting portion comprises an end surface, the end surface comprising an end portion and an opening. The pump is connectable to the end portion of the end surface, and wherein the pump is configured to force medicament from the medicament container to be dispensed through the opening of the end surface.