Auto-Insert Injector With Needle-Guard Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injectors lack an efficient mechanism for automatically inserting a needle into a patient or user, often requiring manual operation and posing risks of needle exposure during handling and use.
Innovation Solution
An injector design featuring a housing, shell, plunger, needle guard, and actuation assembly that allows for automatic needle insertion upon activation, with a needle guard that moves from an extended to a retracted position, and a shell that transitions from an initial to an injecting position, facilitated by a detent mechanism and biasing elements to ensure safe and controlled medicament delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual needle insertion is used, then user control over insertion depth is maintained, but needle exposure risk increases and operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The injector performs needle insertion automatically without requiring manual dexterity from the user. The device self-regulates insertion depth through the needle guard mechanism that travels along the syringe barrel, eliminating both needle exposure risk and the need for user control while maintaining safe operation
Solution Approach 2:
The needle guard acts as an intermediary between the needle and the user's hand. It provides a protective barrier that moves with the syringe during insertion, preventing direct exposure to the needle while allowing the injection process to proceed automatically
2Reliability
If automated needle insertion is implemented, then needle exposure risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle guard is nested within the syringe barrel structure, traveling inside the barrel during insertion. The detent mechanism is nested within the injector housing, and the entire assembly is contained within the outer housing. This nesting approach reduces overall device complexity by utilizing existing structural spaces rather than adding separate external mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into the needle guard structure: it provides needle protection, guides insertion depth, interacts with the detent mechanism, and travels along the syringe barrel. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining automated insertion capability
3Manufacturing precision
If detent mechanism is added to control insertion depth, then insertion precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism is extracted as a simple, discrete component that can be easily manufactured and assembled. It consists of a single detent element that engages with a corresponding feature in the needle guard, providing precise depth control without requiring complex mechanical systems. This extraction allows for easy manufacturing and reduces overall device 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
Enables safe, automated needle insertion and medicament delivery with controlled insertion depth, reducing the risk of needle exposure and enhancing user safety during handling and use.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation assembly may include a first biasing element operatively associated with the housing and the shell. The first biasing element may move the shell relative to the housing from the initial position to the injecting position when the first member moves with respect to the housing.
Implementation Method 2
The actuation assembly may include a second biasing element operatively associated with the shell and the plunger. The second biasing element may move the plunger with respect to the shell when the shell is in the injecting position.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment there is an injector comprising a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a shell, a plunger, a needle guard, a first member, and an actuation assembly. The shell may be within the housing and may have a cavity to receive at least a portion of a medicament chamber. The shell may be moveable with respect to the housing from an initial position to an injecting position. The plunger may be moveable with respect to the shell. The needle guard may be moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The first member may be within the housing. The actuation assembly may be coupled to the housing and the shell. The needle guard may move the first member with respect to the housing as the needle guard moves from the extended position to the retracted position. The actuation assembly may move the shell from the initial position to the injecting position when the first member moves with respect to the housing. The actuation assembly may move the plunger with respect to the shell when the shell is in the injecting position.