Reusable Auto-Injector Fluid Transfer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auto-injector devices require complex and costly manufacturing processes due to the need for pre-filled syringes, limiting reusability and increasing production costs, as they are designed for specific drugs and cannot utilize standard vials.
Innovation Solution
An auto-injector design that allows fluid transfer from a separate container, such as a standard vial, into a chamber within the device, using a biasing element to draw fluid into the chamber without external intervention, enabling the use of a single reusable sub-assembly for various drugs and promoting greater reusability of the needle assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-filled syringes are used in auto-injectors, then the device is ready to use immediately, but manufacturing costs increase and device reusability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate components: a reusable auto-injector body and a disposable vial assembly. This segmentation allows the expensive drug-containing portion to be separate from the reusable mechanism, reducing manufacturing costs for the device maker while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The vial is pre-filled with drug solution before being inserted into the auto-injector body. This preliminary preparation of the drug container, rather than pre-filling the entire device, allows for cost-effective manufacturing of the reusable portion while ensuring readiness for use.
2Ease of operation
If pre-filled syringes are used in auto-injectors, then the device is ready to use immediately, but device reusability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the reusable auto-injector body from the disposable vial assembly, the device can be reused multiple times with different vials containing different drugs, significantly improving adaptability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable auto-injector body is designed to accommodate multiple types of vials containing different drugs, making the device universal and adaptable to various medical needs across multiple uses.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard vials are used instead of pre-filled syringes, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a self-priming mechanism where the plunger automatically draws fluid from the vial into the injection chamber when the vial is inserted, eliminating the need for manual priming operations and reducing operational complexity despite the added fluid transfer components.
Solution Approach 2:
A port and fluid transfer mechanism act as an intermediary between the vial and the injection chamber, automatically managing the complex fluid transfer process without requiring direct manual intervention, thus balancing manufacturing simplicity with operational ease.
4Ease of operation
If manual priming operations are required, then device control is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic priming mechanism performs the fluid transfer operation as a preliminary action immediately when the vial is inserted, eliminating the need for separate manual priming steps and reducing the time required to prepare the device for injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically performs the priming operation itself through the biasing element that drives the plunger to draw fluid from the vial, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing priming time while maintaining proper device control.
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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for pre-filled syringes, simplifies inventory management, and allows for greater reusability of the auto-injector components, while enabling the use of standard vials for drug delivery.
Implementation Method 1
An auto-injector design that allows fluid transfer from a separate container, such as a standard vial, into a chamber within the device, using a biasing element to draw fluid into the chamber without external intervention
Data Source
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AI summary
An injection device having a first sub-assembly (110) comprises a housing (111) and a chamber (112). The chamber is disposed within the housing and has proximal and distal ends, an inner surface and an exit aperture (114). The sub-assembly comprises a stopper (113) movably disposed within the chamber. The stopper has an outer surface substantially in contact with the inner surface about its perimeter. The sub-assembly comprises a port (118) adapted to receive a container (1199) containing a fluid. The stopper is fixed with respect to the housing and movement of the port causes movement of the exit aperture in relation to the stopper.