Autoinjector Dose Feedback Accessory for Injection Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of autoinjectors face challenges in maintaining the required force and orientation during injections while also observing the viewing window to ensure complete and successful delivery, as existing systems can be awkward or uncomfortable for users to manage both simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device assembly with a dose feedback accessory that includes a feedback indicator, such as light sources or a speaker, to convey injection status information, allowing users to maintain proper orientation and force without needing to constantly observe the viewing window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users observe the viewing window during injection to ensure complete dosing, then injection completion accuracy is improved, but user comfort and ease of operation deteriorates due to awkward positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through visual indicators (window, plunger indicator) that provide real-time information about injection status. The window displays plunger position and injection progress, while the plunger indicator shows when the plunger reaches its final position, giving users feedback without requiring awkward viewing angles or continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indicator system that mediates between the internal plunger mechanism and the user's observation. Instead of requiring users to directly observe the plunger through the viewing window at specific angles, the plunger indicator translates plunger position into visible feedback that can be observed from comfortable positions, acting as an intermediary that simplifies the observation process
2Reliability
If users maintain constant force and orientation during injection, then injection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in simultaneously maintaining force and observing the window
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism provides continuous visual information about injection progress through the window and plunger indicator, allowing users to maintain proper force and orientation without constantly checking the viewing window. The feedback reassures users that the injection is proceeding correctly, enabling them to focus on maintaining proper technique
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-monitoring through the feedback indicators that automatically track plunger position and injection status. This self-service capability reduces the cognitive load on users, who don't need to actively monitor every aspect of the injection process, allowing them to maintain force and orientation more easily
3Volume of moving object
If the viewing window is positioned on the side of the autoinjector, then device compactness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot comfortably observe it while maintaining proper injection orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the local quality of the feedback system by adding the plunger indicator that provides localized, unambiguous visual feedback about plunger position. This localized indicator complements the viewing window and can be observed from various angles, making the feedback accessible without requiring users to position the device in awkward orientations
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger indicator serves as an intermediary that translates the internal plunger position into external visual feedback. This intermediary element can be positioned and oriented to be visible from comfortable user positions, mediating between the compact side-mounted window design and the user's need for easy observation
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device assembly is provided, including an injector housing, a needle assembly, a drive assembly, and a dose feedback accessory. The injector housing may include a body with a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and at least one window. The needle assembly is at least partially disposed within the body and may include a syringe barrel containing a medicament, a plunger stopper disposed in the syringe barrel, and a needle or a cannula. The drive assembly is at least partially disposed within the body and operably coupled with the needle assembly to urge the medicament through the needle or cannula during an injection sequence. The dose feedback accessory includes an accessory body configured to be selectively coupled with the injector housing and a feedback indicator configured to convey to a user information relating to an injection status event.