1. SELF ADMINISTRATION OF INSULIN
FOR QUADRIPLEGIC PATIENTS

2. The project was to design a method that would
allow a diabetic quadriplegic patient that has had
four limb amputations (above the knee and elbow)
to self administer injections of insulin.

3. 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 selfcare/assistance.
Ensuring that the design complies with the
standards and regulations from the Medical
Device Directive.

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

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DESIGN IDEAS
&
OPTIMISATIONS
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Aesthetics
– SF4
10
10
7
6
6
5
1
Robotic
arm
age
Size – SF4
5
3
1
5
4
4
3
164
5
2
5
4
5
2
1
170
4
4
2
3
5
4
4
176
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
193
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Weight –
SF3
Jet syringe
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Reusability
– SF2
Patches
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Ease of use Cost – SF1
– PF2
Weight
m
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To
administer
insulin –
PF1
Drip feed/
time feed
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Total
4
2
4
5
5
5
5
178

7. Interesting features
I.
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.

8. Commercial viability
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.

9. Materials and
methods of
production
used
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
extrusion moulding.

10. Design 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
can be
ecological and effective at the same time.

11. 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.
Conclusion
and
some highlights of possible improvements