Applicator with Frustoconical Cannula for Delicate Implant Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicators for inserting rod-like implants under the skin often damage delicate implants due to closures like bolts, O-rings, and crimp regions within the cannula, which can cause mechanical stress during insertion and expulsion.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that secures the implant inside the cannula upon cover removal and disengages it prior to expulsion, using a rotatable, slidable, or flexible lever to minimize force exerted on the implant, preventing lateral movement and ensuring gentle handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If closures like bolts, O-rings, or crimp regions are used inside the cannula to secure the implant, then the implant is secured during storage and insertion, but the implant may be damaged due to mechanical stress from these closures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the closure elements (bolts, O-rings, crimp regions) from inside the cannula lumen. Instead, the cannula is designed with a frustoconical outer shape that provides mechanical engagement with the implant externally, eliminating the need for internal closures that could damage delicate implants during insertion and expulsion
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using internal closures to secure the implant, the invention inverts the approach by using the external frustoconical shape of the cannula to engage and secure the implant. The securing mechanism is moved from the interior to the exterior of the cannula, avoiding contact between closure elements and the implant surface
2Reliability
If a mechanism secures the implant inside the cannula upon cover removal, then the implant is protected during storage, but the mechanism may exert force on the implant during expulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for a separate securing mechanism that could exert force during expulsion. The frustoconical cannula design provides passive securing through its shape alone, and the expulsion process relies on pressure differential without requiring the mechanism to actively push or pull the implant, thereby minimizing force exertion
Solution Approach 2:
The frustoconical shape creates a dynamic engagement where the implant is passively held during storage through geometric interference, and during expulsion, the same geometry allows smooth passage when pressure is applied, adapting the interaction between cannula and implant based on the operational phase without requiring active mechanism engagement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to an applicator (1) for inserting an implant, in particular a rod-like implant (2) containing an active substance, under the skin of a human or animal, comprising a housing (3), a cannula (6), a cannula holder (9), an implant (2) accommodated inside the cannula (6) and/or the cannula holder (9), a protective cover (7) for the cannula (6), and a mechanism (22, 23, 7) which, at least after the cover (7) has been removed from the cannula (6), secures the implant (2) inside the cannula (6) and/or cannula holder (9). The mechanism (22, 23, 7) disengages the implant (2) during insertion of the cannula (6) or after the cannula (6) has been inserted. Substantially no lateral force will be exerted during the expelling of the implant from the cannula.