Clicker Arrangement for Drug Delivery Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices often confuse users by generating feedback signals during dose correction, making it difficult to distinguish between dose setting, correction, and dispensing processes, and they lack a compact and user-friendly design for visually impaired individuals.
Innovation Solution
A clicker arrangement with a rotatable first element and a non-rotatable second element, where the first element comprises a clicker arm and the second element a protrusion, generating audible and tactile feedback only at the end of dose dispensing, and a compact design with a flexible piston rod and ratchet mechanism for precise dose control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If feedback signals are generated during dose correction, then users can receive information about the process, but users become confused and cannot distinguish between dose setting, correction, and dispensing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different feedback signal characteristics to different operational phases. During dose correction, no feedback signal is generated, while during dose dispensing, a distinct audible click feedback signal is generated. This local differentiation of feedback quality allows users to clearly distinguish between correction and dispensing processes without information loss.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact design is implemented, then device size is reduced, but user-friendly design for visually impaired individuals becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual display mechanisms with an audible click feedback signal generated by a mechanical interaction between the piston rod and a clicker element. This substitution maintains compact device size while providing tactile and auditory feedback that is easily perceivable by visually impaired users, eliminating the need for large visual displays.
3Reliability
If a clicker arrangement is added to provide feedback, then user safety and usability are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feedback mechanism with the existing piston rod structure. The clicker element is integrated into the piston rod assembly, and the feedback signal is generated through the natural reciprocating motion of the piston rod during dose dispensing. This merging approach provides enhanced user safety through clear feedback without significantly increasing device complexity.
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
Provides clear, distinct feedback to users only at the end of dose dispensing, enhancing user safety and usability, particularly for visually impaired individuals, while maintaining a compact device size and reducing user effort for dose setting and delivery.
Implementation Method 1
the clicker arm is elastically deflectable in a radial direction by the protrusion and relaxable in the opposite radial direction upon disengagement with the protrusion thereby generating an audible and/or tactile feedback signal
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet mechanism for precise dose control
Data Source
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Figure 7a~8
AI summary
The present invention is generally directed to a clicker arrangement for use in a drug delivery device, i.e. a handheld injection device for selecting and dispensing a number of user variable doses of a medicament. The clicker arrangement comprises a first element (70) rotatable at least in a first direction and a second, non-rotatable element (30). The first element (70) is axially displaceable relative to the second element (30) between a first position and a second position. One of the first element (70) and the second element (30) comprises a clicker arm (77) and the other of the first element (70) and the second element (30) comprises a protrusion (37) wherein upon rotation of the first element (70) in the first direction relative to the second element (30) the clicker arm (77) is elastically deflectable in a radial direction by the protrusion (37) and relaxable in the opposite radial direction upon disengagement with the protrusion (37) thereby generating an audible and/or tactile feedback signal. The first element (70) is axially guided on the second element (30) during the rotation of the first element (70) in the first direction relative to the second element (30), such that the relative rotation is a mere rotation without concurrent relative axial movement.