Automatic Needle Inserter with Rotational Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pen injection systems pose difficulties for non-medically trained users, particularly those with neural and muscular coordination issues or a fear of needles, making it challenging to use these devices correctly and follow treatment regimes effectively.
Innovation Solution
An automatic needle inserter device with a rotationally-activated locking mechanism that securely holds the pen injection system in place without requiring additional screw-threaded rings, allowing for easy and secure handling, and featuring a compression ring and slidable carriage assembly for controlled needle insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw-threaded tightening ring system is used to secure the pen injection system, then the pen can be held securely, but the device complexity increases and the mechanism becomes less user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screw-threaded tightening ring system from the automatic needle inserter device. Instead, it uses a simpler retention mechanism where the pen injection system is held in place by the geometric fit within the inserter body and a latch mechanism that engages with the pen's positioning protrusion, eliminating the need for complex screw-threaded rings.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a tightening ring that screws down to secure the pen, the invention uses a latch mechanism that engages with a positioning protrusion on the pen. The latch mechanism works in reverse logic by using a simple engagement feature rather than a threaded fastening system, reducing complexity while maintaining secure holding.
2Ease of operation
If manual needle insertion is required, then the user has direct control, but users with coordination difficulties or needle fear struggle to use the device correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic needle inserter performs the needle insertion function automatically without requiring manual dexterity from the user. The device self-positions the needle, activates the injection pen, and controls the insertion depth through a simple button press, allowing users with coordination difficulties to administer injections independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic needle inserter acts as an intermediary device between the user and the needle. It provides a protective housing that guides the needle, controls its exposure, and automates the insertion process, thereby reducing the psychological barrier and coordination requirements for users who are afraid of or unskilled with manual needle handling.
3Ease of operation
If the pen injection system is easily removable from the inserter, then user convenience is improved, but the locking mechanism becomes less secure
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable between a locked state during injection and an unlocked state for removal. The latch mechanism engages automatically when the pen is inserted and can be easily disengaged by a simple pulling motion, providing both secure locking during use and convenient removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into a simple latch component and a positioning protrusion on the pen. This segmentation allows for a straightforward engagement and disengagement mechanism where the latch can be easily actuated to release the pen, balancing security during locking with ease of removal without requiring complex locking systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic needle inserter for a pen injector is provided. The automatic needle inserter has an elongated inserter body dimensioned and configured to receive the pen injector when introduced into a longitudinal bore of elongated inserter body via the proximal extremity thereof. The automatic inserter body is also configured to prevent the pen injection system from exiting the longitudinal bore via the distal extremity of the inserter body. The automatic needle inserter is provided with a rotationally-activated locking means to lock the pen injector in an axial position within the longitudinal bore via rotation of at least a part of the elongated inserter body about the central longitudinal axis from a first, non-locking position to at least one or more second, locking positions.