Cartridge Holder Alignment Interface Asymmetric Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drug delivery devices lack mechanisms to prevent the incorrect use of cartridges, posing risks for users, especially those with limited dexterity or visual impairments, and do not ensure compatibility between cartridges and devices, which can lead to administration of inappropriate medicaments.

Innovation Solution

An alignment interface system that includes a main body with alignment features such as protrusions and grooves, which cooperate with corresponding features on the reservoir holder to securely align and lock the cartridge, preventing rotation and ensuring correct cartridge usage within the drug delivery device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no alignment mechanism is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but incorrect cartridge loading cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of incorrect cartridge loadingVSAvoidalignment interface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment interface employs asymmetric geometric features including a non-circular alignment protrusion on the cartridge and a corresponding non-circular alignment recess in the holder. This asymmetric design ensures that only cartridges with matching asymmetric features can be correctly inserted, preventing incorrect or incompatible cartridges from being loaded while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment interface acts as an intermediary mechanical mediator between the cartridge and holder. The alignment protrusion and recess serve as intermediate features that physically enforce correct cartridge orientation and compatibility before the cartridge can be fully seated in the holder, thereby preventing incorrect loading without requiring complex electronic or visual verification systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If alignment features are added to ensure compatibility, then cartridge-device compatibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge-device compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing of alignment features
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment features utilize simple asymmetric geometric shapes (protrusions and recesses) that can be directly molded or machined into the cartridge and holder during standard manufacturing processes. This approach ensures cartridge-device compatibility through geometric constraint rather than requiring complex assembly steps or additional components, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the desired adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If no mechanical prevention mechanism is provided, then the device is easier to operate, but user safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge insertionVSAvoidrisk of administering wrong medicament
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment interface implements preliminary anti-action by providing mechanical prevention of incorrect cartridge loading before the user can attempt to administer medication. The asymmetric alignment protrusion and recess create a physical barrier that prevents incompatible cartridges from being inserted, thereby eliminating the risk of administering wrong medicament while requiring minimal user effort or awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment interface performs self-service safety verification through its geometric design. The system automatically prevents incorrect cartridge loading through the mechanical interplay between the alignment protrusion and recess without requiring user knowledge, visual inspection, or active decision-making. The structure itself provides the safety function, making the device both easy to operate and safe to use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2560706B1Cartridge holder and alignment interface
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 SANOFI AVENTIS DEUT GMBH
  • EP2560706B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2560706B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2560706B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A system for a drug delivery device comprising a reservoir holder (380) configured to hold a reservoir (20), and an alignment interface (350) comprising a main body (352) configured to be coupled to the reservoir (20). A first alignment feature (372) is provided on the main body (352). The first alignment feature (372) cooperates with a corresponding alignment feature provided by the reservoir holder (380) such that when the reservoir (20) is inserted into the holder (380), the first alignment feature (372) cooperates with the corresponding alignment feature provided by the holder (380) so as to rotate the alignment interface (350) and thereby align the alignment interface (350) within the holder (380). Thus, the reservoir (20) may be aligned within the reservoir holder (380). The first alignment feature (372) may comprise at least one protrusion provided on the main body (352) of the interface (50). The system further comprises one or more coding features (374, 376).