Auto-Injector Syringe Holder for Multi-Size Needle Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic drug delivery devices face issues such as complex manufacturing and assembly, potential misuse, non-intuitive activation mechanisms, inadequate protection against needle movement, and difficulty in handling prefilled syringe assemblies, along with insufficient user feedback and secure cap removal.
Innovation Solution
The device features a modular design with interchangeable syringe holders and plungers, allowing adaptation to different syringe sizes and shapes, and a secure cap retention mechanism, enhancing ease of assembly, user safety, and intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety shield with flexible arms is used to block the needle tip, then needle protection is improved, but the safety shield becomes complicated in geometry and manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The safety shield is divided into a main body and separate flexible blocking elements (arms or tabs) that can be independently formed. This segmentation allows the main shield structure to remain simple while the blocking elements provide the necessary protective function, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking function is extracted as a separate feature from the main safety shield body. The flexible arms or tabs are designed as distinct elements that can be formed separately and attached to or integrated with the shield, allowing the main shield geometry to remain simple while still providing effective needle tip protection.
2Extent of automation
If rotational movement between components is used to activate the device, then activation mechanism is improved, but the activation becomes non-intuitive and uncomfortable for users
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the user's own pushing action on the safety shield to automatically trigger the injection mechanism. The linear movement of the safety shield directly activates the drive mechanism without requiring separate rotational components, making the activation intuitive and comfortable while maintaining automation.
3Ease of operation
If a button on the distal end or circumferential side is used to trigger injection, then activation is simplified, but the device becomes susceptible to misuse and erroneous activation
Solution Approach 1:
The safety shield must be pushed in a specific direction with sufficient force to overcome a release mechanism before injection can occur. This preliminary action requirement prevents accidental or erroneous activation while maintaining simple operation, as the shield's movement directly triggers the injection only when intentionally activated at the correct location.
4Reliability
If multiple components interact during relative movements for actuation, then the actuation mechanism becomes more reliable, but the structure becomes complicated and assembly is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the safety shield component itself. The shield serves as both the protective cover and the activation trigger, with its movement directly engaging the drive mechanism. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliable actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety shield performs multiple functions: protecting the needle tip, serving as the activation trigger, and guiding the injection direction. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the device structure while ensuring reliable operation through the coordinated movement of a single key component.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic drug delivery device (10), in particular automatic drug delivery device, for dispensing a fluid product, in particular a fluid medicament, including: •a longitudinal housing (104) •a removable cap (50) •a syringe assembly (200) •a drive mechanism (300) •wherein the loaded drive mechanism is operatively coupled with a safety shield (102) movable within the longitudinal housing (104), •wherein the safety shield (102) is biased into a proximal position in which it protrudes out of the proximal end of the longitudinal housing (104) in order to cover a needle tip (348) of the injection needle (206), and wherein the safety shield (104) is movable into a distal position in which the injection needle (206) is exposed for injection; •wherein the longitudinal housing provides an inner receiving component fixed thereto for receiving a syringe holder and providing a predetermined radial and axial position of the syringe holder within the longitudinal housing; •wherein the syringe assembly is a first syringe assembly and is received within the longitudinal housing by a first syringe holder, wherein the first syringe holder provides an interface between the longitudinal housing and the syringe assembly; and •wherein the longitudinal housing and receiving component is sized and configured to be able to receive a second syringe holder and a second syringe assembly, the second syringe assembly having a different diameter than the first syringe assembly.