Drug Delivery Cartridge Fixing Member Asymmetric Geometric Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in securely fixing cartridges to prevent incorrect loading and dispensing of medicaments, which can lead to potential misuse and safety risks due to standard-sized cartridges fitting multiple devices, causing mechanical damage and visual defects.

Innovation Solution

A fixing member with a fastening portion and fixing structure is used to securely attach to the outside of a drug delivery device housing, engaging with the cartridge's neck portion to prevent longitudinal and rotational movement, ensuring a durable and reliable fixation without modifying the cartridge's internal structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a radially inwardly protruding structure is used to engage the cartridge neck portion, then the cartridge can be mechanically fixed to the housing component, but the septum retainer may collide with the protruding structure causing mechanical defects and visual defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge fixation reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical defects and visual defects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention moves the fixing structure from a radial inward direction (which causes collision with the septum retainer) to a longitudinal direction. The radially outwardly protruding fixing structure engages the cartridge neck portion from the longitudinal side, avoiding the radial space occupied by the septum retainer and eliminating the collision problem while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the fixing structure protrude radially inwardly into the cartridge interior (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the fixing structure protrude radially outwardly from the housing component's outer surface. This inversion places the fixing structure in a location that does not interfere with internal cartridge components like the septum retainer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standard sized cartridges are used to comply with recognized standards, then cartridges can be manufactured by multiple suppliers, but there is a risk of users loading incorrect medicaments into drug delivery devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge compatibilityVSAvoidmedicament loading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces asymmetric geometric coding features on both the housing component and the cartridge. The geometric code on the housing component must match the corresponding code on the cartridge for proper engagement. This asymmetric coding system allows standard-sized cartridges from multiple suppliers to be physically incompatible with incorrect devices, preventing wrong medicament loading while maintaining compatibility with the intended device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If the fixing structure is positioned radially outwardly from the housing sidewall, then the cartridge can be securely fixed without interfering with internal components, but the fixing structure requires sufficient radial space on the housing component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge fixation securityVSAvoidhousing component radial space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing structure is designed as a thin radially outwardly protruding feature on the housing component's outer surface. This thin-film-like structure provides sufficient mechanical engagement capability with the cartridge neck portion while occupying minimal radial space. The longitudinal extension of the fixing structure compensates for the reduced radial dimension, maintaining secure fixation without requiring significant radial area on the housing component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20250205430A1Cartridge assembly and fixing member

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 SANOFI SA(FR)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge assembly provided with a fixing member for fixing a medicament container inside a housing component of a drug delivery device, wherein the housing component comprises a housing sidewall confining a container receiving space extending in a longitudinal direction (z) and wherein the fixing member comprises:a fastening portion, anda fixing structure.