The Development of a Syringe-Based Insulin Applicator Using a Biodesign-Based Methodology

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Device Design

Background:

• Effective diabetes management requires proper insulin administration techniques.
• Traditional methods often necessitate specialized training for correct subcutaneous injection.
• There is a need for user-friendly insulin applicators that simplify the administration process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design an insulin applicator using a biodesign and biomimetic approach.
• To create a device that assists users in forming stable skin folds and guiding needle insertion.
• To develop an applicator that minimizes the need for extensive user training.

Main Methods:

• A three-step design approach incorporating biodesign and biomimetic principles.
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to ensure laminar insulin flow and assess mechanical properties.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to test device strength and deformation under stress.
• Infrared thermography to validate the location of force generation during skin fold creation.

Main Results:

• The designed applicator facilitates correct insulin delivery without requiring exhaustive training.
• CFD analysis confirmed a laminar insulin flow, avoiding complications from turbulent flow.
• FEA results demonstrated the device's structural integrity, handling folding stresses without excessive deformation.
• Infrared thermography validated that the device operates within the desired physical zone for effective injection.

Conclusions:

• The biodesign and biomimetic approach successfully yielded an intuitive insulin applicator.
• The device design is validated through CFD, FEA, and infrared thermography, confirming its functional efficacy and safety.
• This innovative applicator can improve patient adherence and outcomes in diabetes management by simplifying insulin injection procedures.