Autoinjector Orientation Locking Mechanism Prevents Needle Stick
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medicament delivery devices, particularly autoinjectors, pose a risk of needle stick injuries due to improper handling, where users often orient the device incorrectly, leading to accidental needle exposure.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device equipped with a detecting element that senses the correct orientation and a locking mechanism, which prevents the needle from protruding if the device is held incorrectly, ensuring safe usage by locking the actuating mechanism when the device is not oriented correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional autoinjector is used without orientation detection, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but users may hold it in wrong orientation leading to needle stick injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting element and locking mechanism are activated before the needle can protrude, preventing harmful action in advance. The system detects orientation beforehand and locks the actuating mechanism to prevent needle exposure if held incorrectly.
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting element acts as an intermediary between the user's handling and the needle delivery system. It monitors orientation and communicates status to the locking mechanism, which then mediates whether the needle can protrude or not.
2Reliability
If a detecting element and locking mechanism are added to prevent wrong orientation, then needle stick injury risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device monitors its own orientation and automatically locks itself if held incorrectly. The detecting element detects the device's own orientation state and triggers the locking mechanism without requiring external intervention or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic orientation detection and control systems with a simpler mechanical detecting element and locking mechanism. The detecting element mechanically responds to orientation and directly actuates the locking mechanism through mechanical linkage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the locking mechanism is always engaged, then needle stick injuries are prevented, but the device cannot function properly for injection
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically based on detected orientation. When correct orientation is detected, the lock releases to allow injection; when wrong orientation is detected, the lock engages to prevent needle exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting element provides continuous feedback on device orientation to the locking mechanism. This feedback loop ensures the lock only releases when the correct orientation is confirmed, and re-engages if wrong orientation is detected during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device, comprising an outer body, a receptacle for a medicament, a needle for the administration of the medicament, an injection mechanism with an actuating mechanism for injecting the medicament into the patients body, and a needle guard for the needle. The medicament delivery device further comprising a detecting element for the detection of the orientation of the medicament delivery device, and a locking mechanism releasing the actuating mechanism, if the detecting element is in the at least first position, and locking the actuating mechanism, if the detecting element is in the at least second position, wherein the locking mechanism is controlled and/or actuated by the detecting element.