Bent Spring Powered Wearable Injector

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable pharmaceutical delivery devices are bulky and inconvenient due to the need for larger power sources like motors and batteries, which increases their size and weight, making them uncomfortable to wear and expensive to store.

Innovation Solution

A mechanically powered wearable pharmaceutical delivery device utilizing a compressed elastic element, such as a coil spring, that expands along a bent path to drive a plunger and insert a needle, eliminating the need for electrical components and reducing the device's size and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If motors and batteries are used as power sources, then the device can deliver pharmaceuticals reliably, but the device size and weight increase making it bulky and inconvenient to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepharmaceutical delivery reliabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical power sources (motors and batteries) with a mechanical power source consisting of a compressed elastic element (spring). This substitution eliminates the need for heavy electrical components while maintaining the ability to drive the plunger and deliver pharmaceuticals reliably through mechanical energy storage and release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element is pre-compressed before use to store mechanical energy in advance. This preliminary action allows the device to deliver pharmaceuticals reliably without needing heavy batteries, as the energy is stored mechanically in the compressed spring rather than electrically in a battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If motors and batteries are used as power sources, then the device can deliver pharmaceuticals reliably, but the device size increases making it bulky and inconvenient to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepharmaceutical delivery reliabilityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical power sources (motors and batteries) with a mechanical power source consisting of a compressed elastic element (spring). This substitution eliminates the need for heavy electrical components while maintaining the ability to drive the plunger and deliver pharmaceuticals reliably through mechanical energy storage and release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element is pre-compressed before use to store mechanical energy in advance. This preliminary action allows the device to deliver pharmaceuticals reliably without needing heavy batteries, as the energy is stored mechanically in the compressed spring rather than electrically in a battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If motors and batteries are used as power sources, then the device can deliver pharmaceuticals reliably, but the device becomes expensive to store and less convenient to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepharmaceutical delivery reliabilityVSAvoiddevice convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical power sources (motors and batteries) with a mechanical power source consisting of a compressed elastic element (spring). This substitution eliminates the need for heavy electrical components while maintaining the ability to drive the plunger and deliver pharmaceuticals reliably through mechanical energy storage and release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element is pre-compressed before use to store mechanical energy in advance. This preliminary action allows the device to deliver pharmaceuticals reliably without needing heavy batteries, as the energy is stored mechanically in the compressed spring rather than electrically in a battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for a smaller, more comfortable, and cost-effective wearable device that can deliver pharmaceuticals efficiently without electrical components, with a compact design that is easier to use and store.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member in a compressed state positioned along said path between a distal end facing said open end of said reservoir and a proximal part locked from expanding proximally from said path such that expansion of said elastic member drives said distal end into said open end of said reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12161838B2Bent spring powered injector

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 WEST PHARM SERVICES IL LTD

AI summary

A wearable pharmaceutical delivery device is disclosed including a compressed elastic power source and a cylindrical pharmaceutical reservoir. Optionally, the compressed power source is positioned along a bent path. Alternatively or additionally, the compressed power source may power discharge of the pharmaceutical. Alternatively or additionally, the compressed power source may power extension of an injection needle. In some embodiments, a tensile element may activate an indicator when delivery of the pharmaceutical is complete.