Autoinjector Actuator Sleeve Visual Indicator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autoinjectors face challenges in providing clear user feedback on usage status, being cost-effective to manufacture and assemble, and ensuring reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
An autoinjector design featuring an actuator sleeve with a visual indicator and radial shoulder to indicate actuation status, combined with a piston rod and spring mechanism for automatic injection, and a locking system to prevent re-use, ensuring user safety and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a visual indicator system is added to clearly show usage status, then user safety and clarity are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes through a visual indicator system where different colors indicate different usage states. The actuator sleeve includes colored zones (e.g., green for ready, red for used) that are visible at different positions, allowing users to immediately identify the device status without complex electronics or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator sleeve is segmented into different functional zones with distinct visual indicators. The sleeve includes a first zone with a first color indicating ready status and a second zone with a second color indicating used status, allowing clear differentiation of device states through spatial segmentation of visual information.
2Loss of information
If the actuator sleeve extends further out after actuation to provide visual feedback, then usage status clarity is improved, but the risk of needle exposure and user injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is nested within the actuator sleeve for protection. The actuator sleeve acts as a protective sheath that contains the needle during both ready and used states, extending further out after actuation to provide visual feedback while maintaining needle containment through the nested structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator sleeve serves as an intermediary between the needle and the external environment. It provides visual indication of usage status while physically isolating the needle from potential contact with users, thereby mediating between the need for clear feedback and the need for safety.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple assembly features like radial shoulders are added to protect visual indicators, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective radial shoulder is merged with the actuator sleeve structure itself rather than being a separate component. This integration allows the sleeve to protect its own visual indicators during actuation while maintaining a simple, single-piece design that reduces assembly steps and manufacturing 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 design provides clear visual feedback on usage, enhances user safety by preventing needle exposure, and reduces manufacturing costs through simple assembly and design features.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator spring being provided so as to urge said piston rod towards its injection position
Data Source
AI summary
An autoinjector having a body to receive a reservoir and an actuator sleeve including a contact end and extending inside the body and movable relative to the body between projecting positions and an actuated position. The actuator sleeve is in a first projecting position before actuation of the autoinjector and in a second projecting position after actuation. The actuator sleeve, in the second projecting position, extends axially further out from the body than in the first projecting position and includes an annular zone that, in the first projecting position, is arranged inside the body and in the second projecting position is arranged outside the body. The annular zone includes a visual indicator that the autoinjector has been actuated. Axially adjacent the annular zone the actuator sleeve includes a shoulder, projecting radially outwards relative to the visual indicator, thereby protecting the indicator against contact with the inside of the body.