Auto Injector Reconstitution Control Using Inversion Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auto injectors require manual intervention for medicament preparation and administration, especially when multiple steps are involved, such as mixing components, and lack precise control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An auto injector with a processing unit that automates the mixing of medicament components by controlling a drive module to perform inversions and provide an onset signal after a predefined number of inversions, ensuring homogeneous mixing without temperature sensing elements, and includes sensors for orientation and inversion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention is used for medicament preparation and administration, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The auto injector performs medicament preparation and administration automatically without requiring user intervention. The device self-regulates the mixing process by controlling plunger rod movement to transfer medicament between compartments, eliminating user error while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit monitors the mixing process and provides feedback through an onset signal that indicates when medicament components are sufficiently mixed. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable preparation by automatically determining when the medicament is ready for injection based on predefined mixing criteria
2Manufacturing precision
If automated mixing control is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves through consistent plunger rod positioning, but device complexity increases due to processing unit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit is pre-programmed with mixing parameters and criteria before the device is used. The system automatically executes predetermined plunger rod movement sequences and evaluates mixing progress against pre-set standards, ensuring consistent precision without requiring complex real-time adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical control of plunger rod positioning is replaced with an automated processing unit that electronically controls the drive module. This substitution provides more precise and repeatable positioning while simplifying the user interface, as the electronic control system handles complexity internally
3Device complexity
If temperature sensing elements are eliminated, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit acts as an intermediary that infers mixing progress without direct temperature measurement. By monitoring plunger rod position, movement speed, and inversion patterns, the system indirectly assesses mixing quality through proxy parameters, eliminating the need for temperature sensors while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal sensing is replaced with mechanical and motion-based monitoring. The processing unit evaluates mixing progress by analyzing physical parameters such as plunger rod displacement, inversion frequency, and fluid flow patterns, substituting direct temperature measurement with indirect mechanical observation
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple inversion operations are performed for thorough mixing, then manufacturing precision improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing process uses periodic inversion operations rather than continuous agitation. The drive module performs a series of discrete inversion cycles with controlled duration and frequency, achieving thorough mixing through repeated periodic action while limiting total preparation time by stopping once mixing criteria are met
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit continuously monitors mixing progress during inversion operations and provides real-time feedback. When the onset signal indicates that sufficient homogeneity has been achieved, the system automatically terminates further inversions, preventing unnecessary time loss while ensuring adequate mixing precision through data-driven decision making
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an auto injector for administering a medicament, the auto injector comprising: a housing; a cartridge receiver configured to receive a cartridge comprising a first stopper and a cartridge compartment containing the medicament, the cartridge compartment having a first cartridge subcompartment containing a first medicament component of the medicament and a second cartridge subcompartment containing a second medicament component of the medicament; a drive module coupled to move a plunger rod between a retracted plunger rod position and an extended plunger rod position, the plunger rod being configured to move the first stopper; a processing unit coupled to the drive module, wherein the processing unit is configured to control the drive module to move the plunger rod from a first plunger rod position to a mix plunger rod position with a mix plunger rod speed, wherein the mix plunger rod position is selected to position the first stopper in a position wherein the first medicament component is mixed with the second medicament component, and to provide an onset signal after a number of completed inversions of the auto injector has been performed.