SELF ADMINISTRATION OF INSULIN SELF ADMINISTRATION OF INSULIN FOR QUADRIPLEGIC PATIENTSFOR QUADRIPLEGIC PATIENTS

The project was to design a method that The project was to design a method that would allow a diabetic quadriplegic would allow a diabetic quadriplegic

patient that has had four limb patient that has had four limb amputations (above the knee and elbow) amputations (above the knee and elbow) to self administer injections of insulin. to self administer injections of insulin.

AIMS Improving quadriplegic patient’s self-management, affected by diabetes

Guaranteeing stable healthy conditions and independence

OBJECTIVES Adapting the device to different heights and body weights, also taking into account different kinds of diabetes.

Stabilising and improving the medical conditions of the patient, such as his/her lifestyle, range of independency, effective use of the designed device for self-care/assistance.

Ensuring that the design complies with the standards and regulations from the Medical Device Directive.

Quadriplegia also known as tetraplegia, can be defined as paralysis of all four limbs and torso/total loss.

a) Quadriplegia is caused by damage to the brain or the spinal cord generally at a high level, ranging from spinal cord injuries secondary to an injury to the cervical spine.

b) Below are some forms of administering medication either by the patient or someone doing it for them:

1. Oral - Frequently used type of route and most effective if one can swallow.

2. Sublingual

3. Rectal Administration

4. Topical Administration

BACKGROUND

  To administer insulin – PF1

Ease of use – PF2

Cost – SF1 Reusability – SF2

Weight – SF3

Size – SF4 Aesthetics – SF4

Total

Weight 10 10 7 6 6 5 1

Robotic arm

5 3 1 5 4 4 3 164

Drip feed/ time feed

5 2 5 4 5 2 1 170

Patches 4 4 2 3 5 4 4 176

Jet syringe  5 5 4 4 4 3 2 193

Afrezza Inhaler

4 2 4 5 5 5 5 178

DESIGN IDEASDESIGN IDEAS&&

OPTIMISATIONSOPTIMISATIONS

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/images/jet-injector.jpg

http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/pulse/fall2006/images/Pg15Nektar-Keys-LR.jpg

Interesting featuresInteresting featuresI. A new technique of injecting insulin without a needle employs a jet injector to administer a

high pressure stream of medication.

II. This method causes very little pain and affords great accuracy, ease of administration, and safety.

III. Jet injection has been proved to be a very satisfactory method of administering insulin and has met with good patient-acceptance.

ADVANTAGES

a) Cost-effectiveness and re-usability

b) Ease of use and manufacturing

c) Avoidance of intravenous injections

d) Self-administration of insulin

Enhances the patient’s independence

DISADVANTAGES

When using stainless steel nozzles, it can be costly and requires the need for sterilization.

Commercial viabilityCommercial viability

Materials Materials and and methods of methods of production production usedused

1. Biocompatible, sterilizable and nontoxic materials for the jet syringe. The main body can be made of plastic and/or glass.

2. Heat-treatable stainless steel or carbon steel is normally used to make the needles. To prevent corrosion, many are nickel plated.

3. Plastics are also used to make the plunger handle and flexible synthetic rubber for the plunger head.

4. Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP), Stainless steel and Nylon for the frame.

The most widely method of production employed is The most widely method of production employed is

extrusion moulding. extrusion moulding.

Design analysisDesign analysis These injectors are designed to give an accurate method of injecting insulin enclosed in a syringe through preferably either an automatically inserted needle or through a high velocity jet.

A jet syringe is not only good at administrating the insulin at greater accuracy, but is also better at causing the insulin to diffuse across the body than the syringe and needle.

Both the plunger and the needles holder are made of thermoset material and cannot be reused. Instead, the COP plastic used for the frame can be completely recycled.

This cost-effective design shows that a syringe-frame This cost-effective design shows that a syringe-frame

can be can be

ecological and effective at the same time. ecological and effective at the same time.

Conclusionand and

some highlights of possible improvementssome highlights of possible improvements

Indeed, this injector may be a practical tool for insulin dependent diabetic patients, who are affected by a paralysis of all four limbs.

However, the jet injector apparently causes a broader distribution of material injected.