Auto-Injector Sliding Sleeve Stabilization via Segmented Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in positioning and stabilizing the sliding sleeve of auto-injectors at the correct angle against the tissue, which is crucial for reliable operation, as existing mechanisms lack effective stabilization and orientation feedback.
Innovation Solution
An auto-injector design featuring a removable contact element with a suction or adhesive capability to secure the device to the skin, providing improved stabilization and orientation, including a cap that acts as a suction element or uses adhesive for secure attachment, and a sliding component with a larger surface area and multiple contact members for enhanced stability and visual/tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sliding sleeve is used as a locking mechanism in auto-injectors, then the device can be secured against premature activation, but it becomes difficult for users to position and stabilize the sliding sleeve at the correct angle against the tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the contact interface into multiple discrete contact members (at least three) distributed around the sliding sleeve's circumference. This segmentation allows the sleeve to be stabilized at the correct angle against the tissue, as each contact member can independently engage with the tissue surface, providing both securing and orientation feedback functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact members act as intermediaries between the sliding sleeve and the tissue surface. They provide a specialized interface that facilitates correct positioning and stabilization, mediating the interaction between the mechanical locking mechanism and the biological tissue to overcome the positioning difficulties.
2Ease of operation
If the sliding sleeve is forced against tissue to disengage the locking mechanism, then the mechanism can be activated, but the user cannot maintain stable positioning at the correct angle
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the contact interface into multiple distributed contact members, the sleeve gains enhanced stability when forced against the tissue. The multiple contact points distribute the forcing force and prevent slippage or rotation, allowing the user to maintain stable positioning at the correct angle throughout the disengagement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact members are positioned at specific locations around the circumference of the sliding sleeve, creating localized contact points with the tissue. This local quality distribution ensures that the forcing action is applied at multiple discrete points, improving overall stability and maintaining correct orientation during activation.
3Device complexity
If a simple sliding sleeve is used, then the device structure remains simple, but there is no visual or tactile feedback to confirm correct positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented contact members provide both visual and tactile feedback about correct positioning. As the sleeve is positioned against the tissue, the user can feel through the distributed contact points whether proper orientation is achieved, and the structure itself provides visual cues without requiring additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact members can be designed with visual characteristics (such as color coding or visual contrast) that change or become apparent when correctly positioned against the tissue, providing visual feedback to confirm proper orientation without adding significant structural complexity.
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 ensures correct positioning and stabilization of the auto-injector, facilitating reliable operation by securing the device to the skin, providing visual and tactile feedback, and ensuring the injection is administered at the appropriate angle and site, thereby improving the reliability of the injection process.
Implementation Method 1
The removable contact element comprises a cap configured to act as a suction element to secure the device to the skin
Implementation Method 2
The contact element is adapted to adhere to the skin such that the end of sliding component is fixedly located on the skin
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4d
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
There is provided an injection device (110) comprising a housing (112) adapted to receive a syringe having a discharge nozzle, the syringe being moveable in the housing on actuation of the injection device along a longitudinal axis from a retracted position in which the discharge nozzle is contained within the housing and an extended position in which the discharge nozzle of the syringe extends from the housing through an exit aperture 1 18 at a distal end of the device, a sliding component (126) which extends, when in a first position, from the aperture, and is movable towards the housing into a second, retracted, position, wherein the sliding component comprises, at its distal end, a removable contact element (220).