Activator Locking Mechanism for Medicament Delivery Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices are not adequately equipped to handle multi-chamber containers safely and reliably, particularly for medicaments that require mixing of unstable substances, leading to potential degradation and accidental premature activation.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device with a manually operable activator featuring a flexible hook that engages with a locking member, preventing activation until the multi-chamber container is mixed, ensuring the device is only activated after the contents are combined, thus enhancing safety and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manually operable activator is provided without a locking mechanism, then the device is easy to operate, but the risk of accidental premature activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hook is pre-configured in a locked position that prevents activator element operation. The blocking member is preliminarily positioned to engage with the flexible hook, creating a preliminary counter-action that prevents premature activation. Only after the mixing operation is completed can the blocking member be moved to allow activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device requires the mixing operation to be completed first before the activator can be engaged. The flexible hook and blocking member are preliminarily arranged to enforce this sequence, ensuring that the medicament is mixed before delivery is activated.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism with flexible hook and blocking member is added, then safety against accidental activation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible hook made of elastic material is used instead of a complex rigid locking mechanism with multiple components. The flexibility of the hook allows it to engage and disengage from the blocking member through simple elastic deformation, reducing the overall complexity of the locking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged with the existing activator structure. The blocking member is integrated with the activator element, and the flexible hook is attached to the housing, combining multiple functions into fewer components.
3Ease of operation
If the activator is always accessible, then ease of operation is maintained, but the risk of premature firing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is preliminarily positioned to engage with the flexible hook, creating a preliminary counter-action that prevents premature activation. This blocking action is maintained throughout the device storage and handling, only releasing after the mixing operation is completed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures that the medicament delivery device can only be activated after the multi-chamber container is mixed, minimizing the risk of accidental premature firing and ensuring the medicament is administered safely and effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A medicament delivery device with a manually operable activator featuring a flexible hook that engages with a locking member
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an activator (90; 200; 300; 400) for a medicament delivery device, comprising a manually operable activator element (100, 204, 304; 416); an activator blocker (88; 208; 302; 402) operably arranged to said activator element (100, 204, 304; 416), said activator blocker (88; 208; 302; 402) defining at least one locking member (82; 216; 312; 426); a medicament delivery device housing comprising at least one flexible hook (65), wherein the at least one flexible hook (65) of the medicament delivery device housing is operably between a locked position where the flexible hook (65) is releasably engaged with the at least one locking member (82; 216; 312; 426) of the activator blocker (88; 208; 302; 402), thereby preventing operation of said activator element (100, 204, 304; 416); and an unlocked position where the flexible hook (65) is out of engagement with the at least one locking member (82; 216; 312; 426) of the activator blocker (88; 208; 302; 402), thereby allowing operation of said activator element (100, 204, 304; 416).