Wearable drug delivery device with removal element

Inventors

Nazzaro, David • McLaughlin, Ian • CARDINALI, Steven • DOUDOUMOPOULOS, Alexander

Assignees

Insulet Corp

Abstract

An improved wearable drug delivery device and method for removal are provided. In some embodiments, a device may include a device body coupled to an adhesive layer, and a removal element coupled to the adhesive layer. The removal element may include an end section proximate a perimeter of the adhesive layer and a central section connected to the end section, wherein a force applied to the end section causes the central section to transition from a first configuration to a second configuration.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a wearable drug delivery device that includes a device body coupled to an adhesive layer and a removal element disposed or embedded in the adhesive layer. The removal element is a loop of cord, string, rope, or wire having a surface area smaller than the adhesive layer, and it is configured to be between at least a part of the adhesive layer and a user's skin when the device is affixed to the user's skin. An end section of the removal element is proximate a perimeter of the adhesive layer and a central section is connected to the end section so that the removal element follows a path through the adhesive layer.

In a first configuration, the material of the removal element has an overall shape comprising first and second paths parallel to a lengthwise axis of the central section and a plurality of peaks extending from the first and second paths away from the lengthwise axis and towards the perimeter of the adhesive layer without contacting the perimeter of the adhesive layer. The removal element in the first configuration has a different shape from the adhesive layer, and a force applied to the end section causes the central section to transition between the first configuration and a second configuration.

This transition causes the removal element to move along a surface of the adhesive layer so as to shear a connection between the adhesive layer and the user's skin. The invention further encompasses a removal system for a wearable drug delivery device, where a continuous loop of cord, string, rope, or wire is disposed on or embedded in the adhesive layer. The system includes an end section proximate a perimeter of the adhesive layer and a central section connected to the end section, following a path through the adhesive layer to form an overall shape with first and second parallel paths and at least one peak extending away from the lengthwise axis and towards the perimeter without contacting it.

A force applied to the end section transitions the central section between a first configuration with a different shape than the adhesive layer and a second configuration, moving the removal element along the adhesive layer surface to shear the adhesive-to-skin connection.

Claims Coverage

The partial content provides two independent claims with a shared set of inventive features based on a looped removal element embedded in or disposed within the adhesive layer and configured to transition configurations under a force so the element moves along the adhesive surface to shear the adhesive-to-skin connection. The inventive features are concentrated in the removal element geometry, its relationship to the adhesive perimeter, and the force-induced transition between a first and second configuration.

Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is the same configuration-dependent loop-removal element embedded or disposed in an adhesive layer, where an end-section-applied force transitions the central section between configurations so the loop moves along the adhesive layer surface and shears the adhesive-to-skin connection, with the central section shaped by parallel paths and peaks directed toward but not contacting the adhesive perimeter.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications