Autoinjector Drive Chassis Visual Dose Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autoinjectors often lack clear indication of when the medicament has been fully dispensed, making it uncertain for users, particularly those with impaired hearing, and are complex in design, materials, and assembly, leading to increased costs and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

An autoinjector design featuring a status indicator window and a syringe window that visually communicate the end of dose through distinguishable parts of the drive chassis, minimizing components and complexity, allowing for a compact and cost-effective solution with reduced material usage and environmental footprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If visual indicators are added to communicate end of dose, then user feedback is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveend of dose communicationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the end of dose indication function with the existing drive chassis component. The drive chassis is designed with different visual appearances (first part visible through status indicator window, second part visible through syringe window) that change based on its position during operation, eliminating the need for separate indicator components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive chassis serves multiple functions: it drives the plunger to deliver medicament and simultaneously acts as the visual indicator for end of dose communication. By making the drive chassis itself the indicator element, the patent achieves multi-functionality without adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple visual indicator windows are provided, then user feedback reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual feedback reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Both visual feedback functions are integrated into the single drive chassis component. The status indicator window shows the first part of the drive chassis while the syringe window shows the second part, providing redundant visual feedback through one component rather than requiring multiple separate indicator components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If compact design is achieved by minimizing components, then device size is reduced, but end of dose indication clarity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidend of dose communication clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the indication function into the drive chassis itself, which is already a necessary component for delivering the medicament. This integration provides clear visual feedback without requiring additional space for separate indicator mechanisms, maintaining compact device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240416039A1autoinjector

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 MEDMIX SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

An autoinjector includes a housing in which a pre-filled syringe is arranged, a drive chassis mounted in the housing, the drive chassis being biased with respect to the housing and being fixed with respect to the housing in a storage state of the autoinjector, a status indicator window and a syringe window both providing visible feedback to a user about a state of use of the autoinjector.