Auto Injector Blocking Member for Needle-Power Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing auto injectors, particularly electronic ones, pose a risk of electric shock due to the conductive nature of metal needles and potential connection to electrical power sources, which is a safety concern and not adequately addressed by existing safety mechanisms, especially for exchangeable cartridges.

Innovation Solution

An auto injector design featuring a blocking member that moves between blocking and non-blocking positions of a connector opening, preventing connection to an external power supply when a cartridge is inserted, ensuring the needle and power supply are not simultaneously present, thus reducing the risk of electric shock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the auto injector is connected to an electrical power supply for charging, then the battery can be recharged, but there is a risk of electric shock when the needle is in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery charging capabilityVSAvoidelectric shock risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is positioned in advance to block the connector opening before the needle is inserted or activated. This preliminary blocking action prevents the harmful situation of simultaneous needle presence and power connection, allowing safe battery charging when the needle is not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the connector opening and the electrical connector. It mediates the interaction by physically blocking access to the electrical connector when the needle is present, thereby preventing direct electrical contact through the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the connector opening is always accessible for charging, then charging convenience is improved, but safety is compromised when the needle is inserted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging accessibilityVSAvoidsafety during needle insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is designed to be dynamically positionable between a blocking position (when needle is present) and a non-blocking position (when needle is absent). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt its safety characteristics based on the operational state, providing both safety and charging convenience at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a blocking mechanism is added to prevent simultaneous connection, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against electric shockVSAvoidstructure with blocking member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is merged with the existing housing structure of the auto injector. By integrating the safety function into the existing housing rather than adding a separate independent mechanism, the patent achieves improved safety while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is designed to be automatically positioned by the insertion or removal of the needle itself, without requiring separate control mechanisms. The needle's presence or absence directly causes the blocking member to move to the appropriate position, making the safety mechanism self-regulating and reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12383676B2Auto injector with charger safety

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 ASCENDIS PHARM AS

AI summary

An auto injector is disclosed comprising: a housing, a cartridge receiver, and an ejector member. The cartridge receiver is configured to receive a cartridge containing the medicament. The auto injector further comprises a blocking member coupled to an ejector member. The blocking member is configured to move between a blocking position wherein a connector opening is blocked and a non-blocking position wherein the connector opening is not blocked.