Axial Thread Engagement in Drug Conveying Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infusion and injection apparatuses require laborious manual rotation or energy-consuming direction-reversible drive motors to establish threaded engagement, making self-administration of drugs, such as insulin, cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A conveying device with a base, a first conveying member, and a second radially flexible conveying member, where a blocking member stiffens the flexible axial portion of the second thread, allowing axial insertion without relative rotation, thus simplifying the threaded engagement process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a threaded drive is used to convert torque into axial translational movement, then the product can be delivered from the reservoir, but the conveying member requires laborious manual rotation or energy-consuming direction-reversible drive motor to rotate back to initial position after emptying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of resetting conveying memberVSAvoidtime required for resetting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying member is divided into two separate conveying members that engage through axial movement only. The first conveying member has a first thread and the second conveying member has a second thread, allowing them to establish threaded engagement without rotation. This segmentation eliminates the need for manual rotation or complex drive mechanisms to reset the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using rotation to establish threaded engagement (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using axial movement to establish the threaded engagement. The conveying members are pushed axially into engagement, and the threads automatically align and engage without requiring rotational movement, thus simplifying the resetting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the conveying member is made radially flexible in the region of the thread to enable axial insertion, then threaded engagement can be established without rotation, but the flexible thread requires a blocking member to stiffen it in the stopper position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of establishing threaded engagementVSAvoidcomplexity of threaded engagement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is pre-positioned on the second conveying member before axial insertion. During the axial pushing movement, the blocking member automatically engages with the first conveying member at the stopper position, automatically stiffening the flexible thread region. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex control mechanisms to activate the blocking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible thread region of the second conveying member automatically engages with the first conveying member during axial insertion. The blocking member self-activates when it reaches the stopper position, stiffening the flexible thread without requiring external control. The system serves itself through the inherent mechanical interaction during the axial pushing movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables easy and energy-efficient establishment of threaded engagement, reducing user effort and energy consumption, particularly beneficial for self-administration of drugs like insulin, by eliminating the need for manual rotation or complex drive mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

the second thread extends over an axial portion of the second conveying member which is radially flexible in relation to its threaded axis... a blocking member which can be moved relative to the base, wherein one of the blocking member and the second conveying member can be moved relative to the other into a blocking position in which the blocking member radially stiffens the second thread

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial flexibility and stiffening: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8177751B2Conveying device in or for an apparatus for administering a drug

Publication Date: 2012.05.15 ROCHE DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

A conveying device in or for an apparatus for administering a product, including a base, a first conveying member which can be moved relative to the base and includes a first thread, a second conveying member which can be moved relative to the base and includes a second thread for a threaded engagement with the first thread, wherein the second thread extends over an axial portion of the second conveying member which is radially flexible in relation to its threaded axis, such that one of the conveying members can be axially inserted into the other in an overlap of the threads, and a blocking member which can be moved relative to the base, wherein one of the blocking member and the second conveying member can be moved relative to the other into a blocking position in which the blocking member radially stiffens the second thread in the threaded engagement in the region of the flexible axial portion and thus secures the threaded engagement.