Auto-Injector Gas Venting and Needle Retraction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auto-injectors are bulky, conspicuous, and pose a sharps hazard after use, and gas-powered models often lack an effective gas release mechanism, making them inconvenient and unsafe for carrying and using.
Innovation Solution
A compact auto-injector design with a movable member and valve system that allows for efficient medicament delivery using compressed gas, featuring a gas release mechanism to vent pressure after injection, ensuring safe retraction of the needle and preventing accidental needle sticks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact auto-injector design is used, then portability and convenience are improved, but the device may lack sufficient power for effective medicament delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compressed gas chamber that uses pneumatic pressure to drive the plunger and deliver the medicament injection. This allows a compact device design while maintaining sufficient injection power through the use of pressurized gas rather than larger mechanical spring systems.
2Speed
If pressurized gas is used to inject medicament, then injection speed and effectiveness are improved, but residual gas pressure creates safety hazards after injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a gas venting mechanism that is pre-configured to automatically release residual compressed gas after the medicament injection is complete. This preliminary safety feature ensures that the gas chamber is depressurized before the user handles or stores the device, eliminating the safety hazard while maintaining fast injection delivery.
3Ease of operation
If the needle remains exposed after injection, then ease of use is improved, but sharps hazard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic needle cover system that transitions from an open position during injection to an automatically closed position after injection. The movable member that drives the plunger also triggers the needle cover to close, providing ease of use during injection while eliminating sharps hazards afterward through automatic needle retraction into the protective cover.
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 provides a convenient, safe, and efficient method for medicament delivery, as the auto-injector is compact and easy to use, with a mechanism that prevents sharps hazards and ensures complete gas release, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Some known auto-injectors use pressurized gas to insert a needle and/or inject a medicament into the patient
Implementation Method 2
The valve is configured to selectively allow fluid communication between the gas chamber and the area outside the gas chamber through the opening defined by the first end portion of the movable member
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a movable member and a valve coupled to the movable member. The movable member is configured to be disposed within a housing of a medical device and has a first end portion and second end portion. A portion of the first end portion is configured to define a portion of a boundary of a gas chamber. The first end portion defines an opening configured to be in fluid communication between the gas chamber and an area outside the gas chamber. The second end portion is configured to be coupled to a needle configured to deliver a medicament into a body. The valve is configured to selectively allow fluid communication between the gas chamber and the area outside the gas chamber through the opening defined by the first end portion of the movable member.