Wearable Autoinjector for Wound Infection Treatment

Triton Systems, Inc., an SBA Tibbetts Award Winner for Success in Commercializing SBIR derived technologies, will leverage expertise in microfluidics and medical device technologies to design and develop a wearable injector with two main goals: 1) to replace the combat wound medication packet (CWMP) in the individual first aid kit (IFAK) and 2) to develop an easy-to-use system for subcutaneously delivering antibiotics in a prolonged care (PC) setting for a minimum of 72 hours. This “fire-and-forget” automated system will provide a benefit over the current CWMP for casualties that cannot tolerate oral administration of medications. In addition to antibiotics, this flexible system can also accommodate analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication for subcutaneous administration in later project phases. This compact, portable, lightweight device can be placed on any area of the skin, closer to the wound bed or further away. Triton will develop a wearable injector that will contain enough antibiotics for a PC setting (minimum of 72 hours). The wearable can be placed by a medic, a buddy, or be self-administered. Modeled after devices that have pre-authorization from the FDA, this wearable injector will use skin-safe adhesive to hold the device in place against the body. When activated, a microneedle will pierce the skin and a soft cannula will be inserted. The microneedle will automatically retract, leaving the cannula in place. Medication contained in shallow disc reservoirs will be circulated by a micropump that can be programmed at different flow rates. The shallow disc reservoirs are an important design consideration and can be easily switched in and out or used in series (pain relievers and anti-inflammatories in later project phases). This wearable autoinjector will ensure rapid administration of antibiotics during the “Golden Hour” for combat casualties when medical evacuation for surgical intervention may not be possible in future combat scenarios.