Autoinjector Drive Assembly Segmentation for Safe Energy Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autoinjectors face challenges in safely shipping and assembling drive mechanisms that require stored energy to be retained until final assembly, while minimizing size and cost, and preventing premature energy release during handling.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism for autoinjectors featuring a resilient member retained in a first deformed condition by a locking component, which is released to a second deformed condition upon coupling with a drug container, allowing safe shipping and activation only when needed, using a retaining means and coupling mechanism that ensures secure storage and controlled energy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drive mechanism is shipped in an energized condition to enable simple assembly, then assembly simplicity is improved, but the risk of premature energy release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is divided into separate modules: a drive assembly containing the energized resilient member, and a drug container assembly. These can be manufactured and tested independently, then coupled together. The coupling mechanism includes interlocking features that ensure proper alignment and secure connection, enabling simple assembly while maintaining safety through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is pre-loaded into the drive assembly in an energized condition before final coupling with the drug container. A retaining feature within the drive assembly holds the resilient member in its energized state during shipping and handling. Upon coupling with the drug container, the retaining feature is automatically disengaged, allowing the resilient member to drive the plunger. This preliminary action enables the mechanism to be shipped ready-to-use while preventing premature activation
2Reliability
If a retaining means is used to lock the energy source before final assembly, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining feature is integrated into the drive assembly structure itself, combining the functions of energy storage, retention, and release mechanism into a single compact unit. The coupling mechanism between drive assembly and drug container incorporates the release function, so that one coupling action simultaneously achieves both secure connection and activation. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the drive assembly and drug container, mediating the transition from locked to unlocked state. During coupling, the interlocking features guide proper alignment while the coupling action itself triggers the release of the retaining feature. This intermediary mechanism provides a simple, reliable way to transition from safe shipping state to active delivery state without complex control systems
3Ease of operation
If the autoinjector uses skin sensor activation without a finger button, then user interface simplicity is improved, but the requirement for safe energy retention before final assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The finger-operated button is completely removed from the design, extracting the activation function from manual operation. The skin sensor becomes the sole activation mechanism, detecting skin contact and automatically triggering the drive mechanism. This extraction simplifies the user interface while the drive assembly's integrated retaining and release mechanisms handle the complexity of safe energy retention and controlled release
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 and efficient assembly of autoinjectors with a simple and secure mechanism for energy storage and release, reducing the risk of premature activation and minimizing size and cost, while ensuring reliable operation when activated by a skin sensor.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member; retaining means engaging the drive means in a first position to retain the resilient member in a first deformed condition, and releasing the drive means when moved to a second position
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a drive mechanism for an autoinjector, configured to be coupled to a drug containing portion to form a complete autoinjector, the drive mechanism comprising: a housing (20); a drive means coupled to the housing, the drive means comprising a resilient member (22); a retaining means coupled to the housing, the retaining means (60) engaging the drive means in a first position to retain the resilient member in a deformed condition, and releasing the drive means in a second position; and a coupling means (24) for coupling with a drug containing portion (10). The drug containing portion retains the drive means in a second deformed condition when the retaining means is in the second position, the drive means storing enough energy in the second deformed condition to drive needle insertion and/or drug delivery.