Autoinjector Cassette Needle Concealment and Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autoinjectors face challenges in concealing the injection needle from users, ensuring proper alignment and operation, and automating the injection process effectively, which can lead to user anxiety and safety concerns due to exposed needles and complex mechanical requirements.
Innovation Solution
A cassette system for autoinjectors that includes a housing with a cassette identification arrangement, a locking mechanism, and a needle shield mechanism, allowing for needle concealment and automated operation, ensuring proper alignment and user safety through a controlled injection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the injection needle is exposed for operation, then the user can see and access the needle, but user anxiety increases and safety concerns arise due to exposed needles
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield is nested within the cassette housing, providing a protective enclosure that conceals the needle while maintaining operational accessibility through controlled opening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield acts as an intermediary element between the user and the injection needle, providing psychological comfort and physical protection while allowing the injection process to proceed when needed
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the needle is concealed during operation, then user anxiety is reduced and safety is improved, but alignment and operation of the autoinjector becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield is pre-positioned in the closed protective state, and the system automatically transitions to the open state when the autoinjector is properly engaged, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring correct alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette and autoinjector systems automatically manage the needle shield state through their engagement and disengagement, with the shield opening automatically when the autoinjector is properly positioned and closing automatically after injection completion
3Device complexity
If manual injection operation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the injection process cannot be automated effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is segmented into distinct functional modules (cassette, autoinjector, needle shield) that can operate independently yet coordinate automatically, enabling complex automated injection sequences through simple individual component actions
Solution Approach 2:
The autoinjector mechanism serves multiple functions through a single user action: it automatically opens the needle shield, positions the needle, administers the injection, and then retracts and protects the needle, eliminating the need for separate manual operations for each step
Data Source
AI summary
A cassette for use with an injector has a housing, and a cassette identification arrangement (cassette ID) defining a code containing information about the cassette that is detectable and decipherable by an injector. The cassette may further have a sleeve movably disposed within the housing, for holding a drug container, and a locking arrangement for interlocking the sleeve with the housing. The cassette may further have an aperture in the housing, and a cassette cap for removing a needle shield of the drug container. The cassette may have an anti-bending structure to prevent bending or flexing of the cassette cap. The injector may have a processor for controlling operational parameters of the injector and a detector communicatively coupled with the processor for detecting and communicating the cassette ID to the microprocessor to decipher the code defined therein. Also, a method of injecting a drug into a patient with an injector, wherein the sequence of actions performed by the user are controlled. Still further, a method of treating a patient in need thereof wherein a cassette containing a drug is provided and administered to the patient using an injector.