Autoinjector Dose Cassette Ejection With Spring-Release Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic autoinjectors require additional manual steps and have slower needle insertion processes, leading to increased pain perception and user discomfort during medicament delivery.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven autoinjector device with a hollow drive shaft and lead screw mechanism that automates needle cap removal, rapid needle insertion, medicament delivery, and dose cassette ejection, reducing manual steps and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electronic autoinjectors use motor-driven mechanisms for needle insertion, then delivery force and control are improved, but insertion speed decreases leading to increased pain perception
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the insertion function from the delivery function by using a dedicated spring-driven insertion mechanism independent of the motor-driven delivery system. This allows rapid needle insertion without compromising controlled medicament delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-compressed before use to store potential energy, enabling rapid needle insertion when activated. This preliminary preparation allows the insertion to occur quickly without requiring power during the actual insertion moment.
2Reliability
If electronic autoinjectors are designed as reusable devices, then cost is reduced, but operational complexity increases requiring extra loading steps
Solution Approach 1:
The device features an automated dose cassette ejection mechanism that automatically removes used cassettes without user intervention. This self-service functionality compensates for the reusable design by automating the loading/unloading cycle, reducing manual steps despite multiple-use capability.
3Ease of operation
If automated dose cassette ejection is implemented, then user comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection mechanism is integrated with the existing motor-driven delivery system, using the same motor to perform both medicament delivery and dose cassette ejection functions. This merging of functions achieves automated operation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor serves multiple functions: driving the plunger for medicament delivery and driving the ejection mechanism for removing used cassettes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in 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
The solution reduces the number of manual steps, enhances user comfort by rapid needle insertion, and ensures proper medicament delivery, while maintaining a compact device footprint.
Implementation Method 1
A lead screw nut is operably connected to the hollow drive shaft. The lead screw nut is configured to rotate upon rotation of the hollow drive shaft. A lead screw is operably connected to the lead screw nut. The lead screw is configured to move within the lead screw nut
Data Source
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AI summary
An autoinjection housing device includes a housing for receiving a dose cassette, a base latch configured to hold the dose cassette within the housing, and a back plate operably connected to a spring. The back plate is configured to move proximally within the housing upon receipt of the dose cassette into the housing, and the proximal movement of the back plate compresses the spring. The autoinjection housing device further includes an actuator operably connected to the base latch. The actuator is configured to move the base latch and the dose cassette proximally within the housing after the dose cassette is secured in the housing. The base latch is configured to move radially outwards upon said proximal movement of the base latch within the housing. The radial movement of the base latch is configured to cause the dose cassette to become unsecured within the housing, in response to the dose cassette becoming unsecured, the spring decompresses, causing the back plate to move distally and push the dose cassette out of a distal end of the housing.