Wearable Insulin Dispensing Unit with Protective Cannula Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with diabetes face challenges in maintaining blood glucose levels, particularly at night, due to the need for frequent insulin injections with traditional insulin pens, which can disrupt sleep and pose health risks.
Innovation Solution
A wearable medication fluid delivery device component featuring a cannula in fluid communication with a reservoir, integrated with an interface for receiving a medication filling device, allowing for the delivery of insulin or other medication fluids with improved convenience and reduced risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional insulin pens are used for multiple daily injections, then insulin delivery is simple and inexpensive, but blood glucose control is disrupted especially during nighttime requiring frequent wake-ups
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the insulin delivery function into a wearable dispensing unit with reservoir and cannula that can operate continuously, eliminating the need for repeated manual injections. The segmentation allows the delivery system to function autonomously during sleep hours while maintaining reliable blood glucose control.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable dispensing unit is designed to self-service by automatically delivering insulin through the cannula without requiring user intervention during nighttime. The device manages its own operation including maintaining connection and regulating delivery, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable control and operational frequency.
2Reliability
If automated insulin delivery systems are used to control blood glucose continuously, then blood glucose stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of continuous insulin delivery from complex automated systems and implements it through a simpler wearable dispensing unit. By taking out only the necessary components (reservoir, cannula, interface) and removing unnecessary complexity, the device achieves reliable blood glucose control with reduced system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable dispensing unit is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that can be filled and used for a specific duration. This approach reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for complex refilling mechanisms and allows for cost-effective implementation while maintaining reliable insulin delivery during the operational period.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cannula is made long enough to reach the interface for filling, then filling is enabled, but the cannula becomes a safety hazard during normal use
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is designed to be exposed before the cannula is fully inserted into the body, allowing filling to occur in advance. This preliminary action enables the long cannula to be positioned for filling while the tip remains accessible, then the interface is covered to protect the tip before insertion, eliminating the safety hazard while maintaining filling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface structure acts as an intermediary between the filling device and the cannula tip. It provides a controlled environment where the long cannula can be filled safely, then transitions to a protected state during normal use. The interface mediates between the conflicting requirements of accessibility for filling and protection for safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A medication fluid delivery device component and associated methods are provided. The delivery device component includes: a wearable dispensing unit having a cannula in fluid communication with a reservoir for delivery of a medication fluid from the reservoir via a tip of the cannula during use of the dispensing unit; and an interface disposed at least partially around the cannula on a delivery side of the wearable dispensing unit and the interface being configured to receive an end portion of a medication filling device for filling of the reservoir via the tip of the cannula. The delivery device component may include a detachable support for the wearable dispensing unit with at least a portion of the interface being provided on the detachable support. The portion of the interface on the detachable support provides a protective cover for the tip of the cannula.