Auto-injector Switch Assembly for Power Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Drug delivery devices face challenges such as user uncertainty about medication identity, expiration, and administration completeness, along with power management issues due to limited battery life and potential overheating, which can damage medicaments and electronics.

Innovation Solution

A drug delivery system with a housing containing a drug delivery assembly, electronic components, a power source, and a switch assembly that activates power only when the device is actuated, preventing unnecessary power consumption and ensuring reliable operation during administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electronic component is powered on before drug administration to assist the user, then the user receives guidance and confirmation, but the battery power is consumed prematurely and may deplete before administration is complete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser guidanceVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic component is activated in advance (when the cap is removed) to provide user guidance and confirmation before drug administration begins. This preliminary action ensures the user receives all necessary information and confirmation that the device is ready, while the system is designed to manage power consumption during this pre-administration phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic component operates periodically rather than continuously - activating when the cap is removed to provide guidance, then entering a low-power state during the administration process, and reactivating as needed to provide status updates and confirmation. This periodic operation conserves battery power while maintaining user communication throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If the electronic component remains powered during storage to provide user assistance, then the user always has access to guidance, but the battery depletes and the device overheats during extended operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser assistanceVSAvoiddevice temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic component is activated in advance (when the cap is removed) to provide user guidance and confirmation before drug administration begins. This preliminary action ensures the user receives all necessary information and confirmation that the device is ready, while the system is designed to manage power consumption during this pre-administration phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic component operates periodically rather than continuously - activating when the cap is removed to provide guidance, then entering a low-power state during the administration process, and reactivating as needed to provide status updates and confirmation. This periodic operation conserves battery power while maintaining user communication throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the switch assembly activates power when the cap is removed, then the electronic component provides user assistance during preparation, but power is consumed before administration begins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser assistance during preparationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic component is activated in advance (when the cap is removed) to provide user guidance and confirmation before drug administration begins. This preliminary action ensures the user receives all necessary information and confirmation that the device is ready, while the system is designed to manage power consumption during this pre-administration phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic component provides feedback to the user through visual displays and audio signals during the preparation phase (when the cap is removed), confirming that the device is ready and guiding the user through the next steps. This feedback mechanism reduces power consumption by providing clear, concise information rather than continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11154661B2Auto-injector with signaling electronics

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 AMGEN INC

AI summary

A drug delivery device includes a housing defining a shell comprising a front portion and a rear portion slidably coupled to the front portion, a drug delivery assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, at least one electronic component, a power source which powers the electronic component, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly is adapted to selectively cause the power source to provide power to the at least one electronic component.