Wearable Infusion Pump Assembly With Reusable-Disposable Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable infusion pump devices for therapeutic fluids are cumbersome, prone to malfunction, and require frequent re-location, with challenges in reducing size, weight, and cost, while maintaining effective delivery and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A wearable infusion pump assembly with a reusable housing and disposable components, featuring a mechanical control assembly with shape-memory actuators, electrical control for precise fluid delivery, and a detachable external infusion set for flexible engagement, ensuring reliable and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If wearable infusion pump devices are made smaller and lighter, then user comfort and portability are improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a reusable housing assembly containing the pump mechanism and a disposable housing assembly containing the reservoir. This segmentation allows the complex reusable portion to be optimized for reliability while the disposable portion can be minimized in size and weight, resolving the contradiction between small/light design and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable housing assembly with reservoir is designed as a single-use component that is discarded after use. This eliminates the need to make the entire device durable and reliable for long-term use, allowing the wearable portion to be minimized in size and weight while maintaining reliability through the reusable housing assembly.
2Weight of moving object
If wearable infusion pump devices are made smaller and lighter, then user comfort and portability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into reusable and disposable housing assemblies, the complexity is distributed and managed separately. The reusable housing contains the complex pump mechanism while the disposable housing contains simpler reservoir components, making the overall system easier to manufacture and maintain despite the small size requirement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent re-location of application site is required, then adaptability is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a dynamic adhesive interface that allows for easy removal and reapplication at different body sites. The reusable housing assembly is designed with flexible attachment mechanisms that enable users to relocate the device conveniently while maintaining secure attachment, thus improving both adaptability and ease of operation.
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 solution enhances the reliability and user convenience of wearable infusion pumps by reducing size and weight, improving durability, and providing precise control over fluid delivery, while allowing for easy reconfiguration and maintenance, thus addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical control assembly may include at least one shape-memory actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reusable housing assembly, and a disposable housing assembly including a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid. A releasable engagement assembly is configured to allow the reusable housing assembly to releasably engage the disposable housing assembly. A detachable external infusion set is configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user.