The reliability of the sealing technology in insulin pumps is of vital importance for people with type 1 diabetes. Ensuring the long-term functionality of these small devices is therefore of crucial importance.
A manufacturer of sealing technology has recently signed a new agreement to supply seals to the Swiss medical technology developer Ypsomed. This agreement significantly exceeds the previous order volume and emphasises the increasing demand for high-quality seals for portable insulin pumps.
“At the start of the project, Ypsomed assumed a significantly lower number of seals per year. Now we have agreed a two-year purchase agreement with the customer with a significantly higher order quantity”, says Peter Rohrer, Sales Engineer at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies in Switzerland.
Low friction, high tightness
People with type 1 diabetes are dependent on a constant supply of insulin. A portable insulin pump enables them to still lead an active and mobile life. The portable insulin pumps constantly transport the vital hormone into the body in precise doses and thus keep the patient's metabolism in balance.
The Ypsomed model weighs just 83 grams - including battery and filled insulin cartridge - and is only 16 millimetres high. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies developed a special rod seal for this a few years ago. “The challenge was to combine a high level of tightness with minimal friction”, reports Patrick Kinsch, Product Developer in the Fluid Power Industry Lead Centre at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.
This is because the pump is controlled based on the patient's separately determined blood glucose level. The target/actual comparison is carried out using various parameters that are determined in the pump itself, primarily via a force measurement in the drive. To enable reliable measurement - and therefore precise control of the pump and dosing of insulin - it is extremely important that there is as little friction as possible in the drive.
Seal enables even torque progression
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed a suitable combination of high-performance rod seal with friction-optimised sealing lip and surface for this task. The specially matched lubricant comes from the Group's sister company Klüber Lubrication.
At the same time, a nano-technological process reduces both the roughness and the friction of the elastomer. The seals treated according to this process thus enable a very even torque curve. The rod seal also keeps dirt out of the system when changing the insulin cartridge and seals the motor from leaking insulin if the cartridge accidentally breaks. “With this seal, we have developed the optimum solution for the portable insulin pump from Ypsomed. We are delighted that this is now also reflected in a significant increase in the volume of insulin purchased”, says Rohrer.
