Self‐Powered Syringe Pump for Insulin Pump Therapy Based on High‐Voltage Triboelectric Nanogenerator and Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Abstract

AbstractInsulin pump therapy (IPT) is commonly utilized for treating type 1 diabetes. However, the insulin pump is generally rigid, and its prolonged use can cause discomfort to patients. Additionally, the device suffers from other drawbacks such as limited battery life. Herein, an IPT system consisting of a dielectric elastomer‐based soft syringe pump (DE‐SSP) and a high‐voltage triboelectric nanogenerator (H‐TENG) is introduced, which can achieve stable and adjustable liquid output depending on real‐time blood glucose. The maximum pump volume of this IPT can reach 262.4 or 303.7 µL when powered by a DC source or H‐TENG, respectively, which is generally sufficient to meet the requirements of the therapy. H‐TENG possesses a sensitive self‐protection mechanism that minimizes the risk of electrical damage and it can be easily fabricated or repaired and flexibly designed according to the application environment. The proposed IPT system is compatible with different placement angles and utilizes compliant electrodes with good biocompatibility that ensure its safety. It also overcomes common issues including rigidness, relatively fixed bolus delivery options, and short battery life associated with traditional insulin pumps. This study not only demonstrates a combination of H‐TENG and DE‐based actuators but also opens new avenues for microelectromechanical systems micropumps.