Auto-Injector Side Button Safety Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current epinephrine injection devices for pediatric patients are cumbersome, require two hands to operate, and can be intimidating for both users and patients, leading to potential misuse and fear of adverse reactions.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed auto-injector design featuring a housing with a syringe assembly, a moveable needle cover, and side buttons that release a safety lock when gripped, allowing for intuitive and safe administration of medication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current epinephrine injection devices are used, then medication can be delivered to the patient, but the device requires two hands to operate and is intimidating for users and pediatric patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the safety lock release mechanism and needle cover movement mechanism into a single integrated side button system. When the side button is depressed, it simultaneously releases the safety lock and allows the needle cover to move, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining safety controls. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by simplifying operation without compromising device integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The side button acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the user's manual input and the complex internal mechanisms of the auto-injector. By providing a simple single-button interface, it translates user action into coordinated release of safety locks and movement of needle covers, making the complex device easy to operate with one hand.
2Force
If force is required to deliver epinephrine doses into the child's muscle, then the medication can be injected, but the user must wind up their arm which is intimidating for the child
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary actions by pre-loading the spring mechanism and pre-positioning the needle cover during manufacturing and assembly. When activated, the stored energy in the spring automatically provides the necessary injection force without requiring the user to manually wind up their arm or apply excessive force, thereby reducing intimidation and simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The auto-injector is designed to be self-service by automatically generating the injection force through its internal spring mechanism. The device serves itself by converting stored mechanical energy into the force needed for needle insertion and medication delivery, eliminating the need for the user to manually generate injection force.
3Reliability
If the needle is left in the muscle for 3-10 seconds to deliver the full dose, then the full medication dose is delivered, but the needle may bend or break in a moving or squirming child's muscle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including a spring-loaded needle cover and movable safety lock mechanism that can adapt to patient movement. The spring mechanism provides continuous forward pressure to maintain needle penetration even if the patient moves or squirms, while the dynamic safety lock ensures the needle remains secured during the injection process, preventing bending or breaking while allowing complete dose delivery.
4Ease of operation
If confusing instructions with too many steps are provided, then the device can be operated, but users experience confusion about which end contains the needle and may accidentally fire into their fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color coding and visual indicators on the device housing to clearly distinguish the injection end from other ends, and to indicate when the device is ready for use. Visual cues such as colored zones or indicator windows provide intuitive guidance without requiring complex written instructions, reducing user confusion while maintaining safety through clear state indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates self-service safety features including an automatic safety lock mechanism that prevents needle exposure unless the correct activation sequence is followed. The side button system requires deliberate activation, and the device automatically manages needle cover retraction and safety lock engagement, reducing reliance on user memory or complex instructions while preventing accidental firing.
Data Source
AI summary
An auto-injector is used by a user with one hand to deliver a dose of a medication to a patient. The auto-injector includes side buttons that act as a safety lock. Depression of the side buttons applies a load to make the auto-injector ready for use to dispense the medication into the patient.