Cartridge Assembly Shared Fastening Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices lack mechanisms to prevent the incorrect use of cartridges, posing risks for patients, especially those with limited dexterity or vision, and do not prevent the use of unauthorized or counterfeit medicaments.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge assembly with a shared fastening means between the cartridge holder and connector, which includes coding features that ensure compatibility with specific drug delivery devices, preventing incorrect or unauthorized use by requiring matching coding features on both the cartridge and device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a color coding scheme is used to assist users in selecting the correct cartridge, then ease of operation is improved, but the device becomes less reliable for users with poor eyesight or color blindness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/color-based identification system with a mechanical coding system. The cartridge holder includes mechanical coding features (protrusions, indentations, or geometric shapes) that physically interface with corresponding features on the drug delivery device. This mechanical interface provides tactile feedback and prevents insertion of incorrect cartridges through physical incompatibility, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving reliability for users with visual impairments.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard sized cartridges are manufactured to comply with recognized standards, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the device becomes less reliable as users can load incorrect medicaments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding specific coding features to particular locations on the cartridge holder and drug delivery device. While the overall cartridge size and shape remain standardized for ease of manufacture, localized geometric variations (such as asymmetric protrusions, keyed interfaces, or coded patterns) are introduced at specific positions. These localized features do not complicate the overall manufacturing process but provide unique identification that prevents mismatching of cartridges with incompatible drug delivery devices.
3Device complexity
If no fastening mechanism is provided between cartridge holder and cartridge, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of preventing unwanted cartridge cross use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening function with the coding function into a single integrated mechanism. The coding features (protrusions, indentations, or geometric shapes) serve dual purposes: they provide mechanical interlocking to secure the cartridge to the holder, and simultaneously encode identification information to prevent mismatching. This integration eliminates the need for separate fastening components, maintaining low device complexity while achieving reliable prevention of unwanted cartridge cross use.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
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Figure 4
AI summary
A cartridge assembly (200) having a shared fastening features for use with a drug delivery device (202). The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge holder (204), a drug cartridge (206), and a connector (208). The connector may be attached to the drug cartridge. The cartridge assembly further includes a fastening means (210, 212) for fastening to a drug delivery device, and this fastening means is shared between the cartridge holder and the cartridge or between the cartridge holder and the connector. The drug delivery device may be a reusable drug delivery device or a disposable drug delivery device.