Specialized Wearable Insulin Pumps for Niche Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A novel approach to wearable insulin pumps, tailored to specific operational environments, such as extreme weather conditions, high-security needs, disaster relief, areas with limited access to medical care, and high-altitude environments.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed wearable insulin pumps with a patch-style form factor for basal rate insulin delivery. However, these devices were not designed to operate in specialized environments, posing limitations for users in unique situations. The inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing adaptations for specific niche environments.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept encompasses four specialized wearable insulin pump systems: 1) a weather-resistant pump for extreme weather conditions, featuring a temperature control mechanism to maintain optimal medication efficacy; 2) a high-security pump with biometric authentication and encryption for secure communication; 3) a ruggedized pump for disaster relief situations, with a backup power source and simplified user interface; and 4) a pump for areas with limited access to medical care, featuring a built-in educational module and communication system for remote consultation with medical professionals. Additionally, a pressure-resistant pump for high-altitude environments is disclosed, with a mechanism to adjust medication dosing based on altitude.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The inventive concept introduces novel adaptations to wearable insulin pumps, enabling their use in previously unsupported environments. The combination of specialized features, such as weather-resistant coatings, biometric authentication, ruggedized designs, and pressure-resistant mechanisms, provides a non-obvious solution to the limitations of the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in materials, design, and features to accommodate different niche environments. For example, a wearable insulin pump for use in aquatic environments could incorporate waterproof materials and a specialized communication system.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, and extreme sports. The specialized wearable insulin pumps could be marketed to users with specific needs, such as athletes, first responders, or individuals living in remote areas.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61M5/14248 |
| A | A61 | A61B5/14865 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/1413 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/158 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/168 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/1684 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/16827 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/172 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/1723 |
| A | A61 | A61M5/5086 |
| A | A61 | A61M2005/14252 |
| A | A61 | A61M2005/14256 |
| A | A61 | A61M2005/14533 |
| A | A61 | A61M2005/1586 |
| A | A61 | A61M2205/18 |
| A | A61 | A61M2205/3317 |
| A | A61 | A61M2205/3331 |
| A | A61 | A61M2205/582 |
| A | A61 | A61M2207/00 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically wearable medication delivery systems with a focus on insulin pump technologies, requiring expertise in mechanical design, biomedical engineering, electronics, and user interface design
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer with 5-7 years of experience in medical device design, familiar with insulin pump technologies, embedded systems, user interface design, and adaptable medical device configurations for specialized environments
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the source patent's fundamental wearable insulin pump design provides a flexible technological platform that can be systematically adapted to address specific environmental challenges. The PTD's variations represent predictable engineering modifications that extend the core technological concept through known design techniques such as ruggedization, environmental protection, and communication system integration. These adaptations would be considered routine problem-solving within the medical device engineering domain.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,757 |
|---|---|
| Title | Systems and methods for delivering microdoses of medication |
| Assignee(s) | Tandem Diabetes Care Switzerland Sàrl |