Drug delivery systems: Turning active medical devices into transformative solutions

C&K Cutting Edge Blog #1

By Roger Bohannan – C&K Medical Segment Leader

Diabetes is the fastest growing disease among the top 10 most lethal conditions in the human population. The diabetes patient population has grown to 420 million people over the past 15 years, according to the World Health Organization, and is slated to be 10% of the world’s population by 2045.

As the industry transforms tracking and measuring drug delivery, we move closer to solving some of our most vexing disease challenges – including but not exclusive to diabetes management. Physicians and scientists have confidence in scientific data during clinical studies. But confidence levels in tracking and measuring insulin dosing and delivery diminish as control migrates to the consumer health population. Connected devices are providing solutions.

Patients with chronic medical require medication administered at consistent and frequent intervals. Providers are making medication decisions on proper administration. To address common issues such as poor compliance, improper dosing and improper drug administration, various connected drug delivery systems have emerged. Recoveries are improving as connected delivery systems influence grows on consistent drug regimens.  

Results improve with the ability to validate:

• Activate a check-in
• Confirm a glucose level
• Confirm dosing measurement
• Confirm delivery system contact with patient
• Confirm dosage delivery
• Verify with validated data collection

Advanced switches are supporting these next-generation connected delivery systems. Electromechanical tact and detect switches are used to verify the correct placement of drug cartridges and start the drug delivery cycle.

The switches need to perform properly and reliably. This becomes critical if the drug delivery device is used in an emergency situation. Consumer environments can include moisture, temperature cycling and potentially emersion in liquids. Companies need to correctly select a switch with contacts that protect from corrosion, are properly sealed from liquids and function in low current applications.  

It’s critical to ensure that the component supplier has a heritage with mission-critical medical applications, as well as a reputation for reliability. On the lighter side, switches can offer a consistent haptic and tactile feel for patients, while also performing for the design engineers safety and reliability demands.

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