Automatic Injection Device With Mechanical End-of-Injection Sound

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-injection devices lack a clear indication to the user that the injection is completed, posing a challenge for patients who may not be medically trained.

Innovation Solution

An automatic injection device with an audible indicator that produces a sound when the injection is completed, utilizing flexible or breakable elements that interact with the piston rod and housing to generate a sound signal upon completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If no audible indicator is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot be clearly informed when the injection is completed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection completion indicationVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses audible sound changes instead of color changes, but follows the same principle of using a visible or perceivable signal to indicate injection completion. The flexible element produces a sound signal that changes from silent to audible, providing clear feedback to the user without complex electronics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electronic or complex mechanical indication systems with a simple flexible element that produces sound through mechanical deformation. This achieves clear user feedback while maintaining device simplicity, resolving the contradiction between information provision and structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If a continuous sound is emitted throughout the injection, then the user can monitor injection progress, but the indication of completion is not clear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection completion indicationVSAvoiduser understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic or intermittent sound emission rather than continuous sound. The flexible element produces sound only at specific moments (during injection and at completion), creating distinct auditory signals that help users understand injection progress and completion clearly, resolving the contradiction between monitoring capability and completion indication clarity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If complex indication systems are used, then injection completion can be clearly indicated, but the device becomes more complex and harder to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection completion indicationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function needed for indication - a simple flexible element that produces sound - removing unnecessary complex components. This provides clear completion indication while keeping the device simple and easy to use, resolving the contradiction between indication clarity and device simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Ensures the user is informed that the injection is finished, enhancing safety and usability for self-administered injections.

Implementation Method 1

said first element, being flexible or breakable and directly or indirectly coupled to said housing or to said piston rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

said first and second elements cooperating with each other at the end of injection under the effect of the said biasing means so as to produce said audible indicator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound production through mechanical release: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP3527244B1Automatic injection device with audible indicator of completed injection
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE SAS
  • EP3527244B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3527244B1 patent drawingFigure 2~9
  • EP3527244B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (1) for automatic injection comprising a container (2), a piston (8) and: - a piston rod (9) coupled to said piston (8) during the injection, - biasing means (18) for causing distal movement of said piston rod (9) with respect to said container (2), - a housing (14; 214) receiving said container (2), said piston rod (9) and said biasing means (18), - controlling means (13, 22) for producing an audible indicator at the end of injection, characterized in that: said controlling means comprise one first element (13), flexible or breakable and coupled to said housing (14), or to said piston rod (9), during the injection, and one second element (22), coupled to said piston rod (9), or to said housing (14), during the injection, said first and second elements cooperating with each other at the end of injection under the effect of the said biasing means (18) to produce said audible indicator.