Auto-Injector Needle Guard Radial Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current auto-injector devices lack high operational safety and improved needle protection, with complex operation and potential for incorrect use, and they do not ensure sterilization of the needle arrangement during storage and use.
Innovation Solution
The auto-injector design features a needle protection element with a second drive assembly arranged radially between the support housing and activation sleeve, allowing for simple operation and ensuring the needle remains sterilized, with a coupling mechanism that prevents manipulation and provides complete coverage of internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the needle protection element and second drive assembly are arranged radially between the support housing and activation sleeve, then operational safety is improved and manipulation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle protection element with the second drive assembly is nested radially between the support housing and activation sleeve, creating a compact multi-layer structure where components are arranged concentrically along the longitudinal axis, allowing safe engagement without increasing overall device footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The support housing is divided into front and rear parts that can be coupled in two different longitudinal positions, creating distinct functional zones: the first position allows access for sterilization while the second position provides complete enclosure and operational safety
2Ease of manufacture
If the support housing parts are coupled in first position with access, then sterilization is enabled, but operational safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device enables dynamic reconfiguration of the support housing from an open first position during sterilization to a closed second position during operation, allowing the same structure to serve dual purposes of manufacturing access and operational safety
Solution Approach 2:
The housing parts are coupled in the first position before sterilization to allow access, then transitioned to the second position after sterilization to provide safety, ensuring the sterilization function is performed before the safety function is activated
3Reliability
If complete coverage of internal components is provided, then protection is improved, but access for sterilization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The housing coupling mechanism allows transition between open and closed states, providing complete coverage during operation while enabling access during the sterilization phase before final assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an injection device (1) comprising a support housing (2), an activation sleeve (9), a carpule (3) with a medicament (14) contained therein, a first drive assembly (4), a safety device (5), a needle arrangement (6), a needle guard element (7) and a second, releasable drive assembly (8), wherein the latter moves the needle guard element (7) from the non-active position to the position in which it covers a needle end (21) of a needle (20). Along most of its longitudinal extent between its distal end (11) and proximal end (12), the support housing (2) is surrounded by the activation sleeve (9), and, seen in axial section, the needle guard element (7), together with the second drive assembly (8) cooperating therewith, is arranged radially between the support housing (2) and the activation sleeve (9).