Injection Drive Mechanism With Coded Discrete Dose Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices lack the ability to prevent the setting or expelling of doses that do not match predefined or prescribed dose sizes, making them difficult to use for patients with impaired vision or dexterity, particularly for delivering therapeutically effective doses in a range of discrete values.
Innovation Solution
An injection device with a dose setting mechanism featuring complementary-shaped mechanical codes on a rotatable member and a counterpart member that align to allow only specific dose settings, blocking any misalignment to prevent dose expelling until the correct alignment is achieved, using a wind-up expelling mechanism with a mechanical energy reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dose setting mechanism without alignment verification is used, then the device is simpler and easier to operate, but it cannot prevent incorrect dose administration
Solution Approach 1:
The dose setting mechanism incorporates an alignment verification system where mechanical codes on the rotatable member and counterpart member provide immediate tactile and audible feedback when properly aligned. This feedback mechanism ensures that only correct dose settings can be confirmed, preventing incorrect dose administration while maintaining operational simplicity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical codes serve as an intermediary element between the rotatable member and counterpart member. These codes act as a mediator that verifies alignment and enables or prevents dose expelling based on whether the correct dose is selected, thereby ensuring reliability without requiring complex electronic verification systems.
2Reliability
If mechanical codes are added to verify dose alignment, then incorrect dose administration is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical codes are integrated into the existing rotatable member and counterpart member structures rather than being separate components. The codes are formed as circumferential features on these existing parts, merging the verification function with the dose setting mechanism itself and avoiding additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical codes automatically verify alignment through their inherent geometric design. When the rotatable member is rotated to a correct dose position, the codes self-align with the counterpart member's code, enabling the expelling mechanism without requiring external verification or additional control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device allows continuous dose values, then dosing flexibility is maximized, but it cannot ensure therapeutically effective discrete doses
Solution Approach 1:
The dose setting mechanism segments the continuous rotation range into discrete positional increments, each corresponding to a specific dose value. The mechanical codes are positioned at these discrete intervals, allowing the device to offer a range of dose options while ensuring that only therapeutically effective discrete doses can be selected and administered.
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
Ensures easy and unambiguous dose setting and dispensing of predefined doses, providing immediate feedback and preventing incorrect dose administration, thus enhancing user safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
an expelling mechanism comprising a trigger and a piston rod... The drive mechanism is configured to apply a driving force or a driving momentum to the piston rod by depressing the trigger
Data Source
AI summary
An injection device for expelling a number of preset or user-selectable doses of a medicament. The injection device includes: an elongated housing extending along a longitudinal axis, and a rotatable member and a counterpart member each comprising a first mechanical code and a second mechanical code, respectively. For setting a dose, the rotatable member is rotatable relative to the housing and relative to the counterpart member. During the setting of the dose, the rotatable member is constrained along the longitudinal axis relative to the housing or relative to the counterpart member. For expelling a dose, one of the rotatable member and the counterpart member is displaceable along the longitudinal axis into an expelling position relative to the other one of the rotatable member and the counterpart member only when the first mechanical code is aligned with the second mechanical code.