Coded Housing Components for Injection Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery devices lack mechanisms to prevent the incorrect loading or dispensing of medicaments, particularly for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, who may have impaired vision and dexterity, leading to potential misuse of incompatible cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component housing system with mechanical coding features on the cartridge and cartridge holder ensures compatibility by allowing only matching coded components to engage, preventing cross-use and ensuring the correct medicament is used with the appropriate device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard sized cartridges are supplied by different suppliers to comply with recognized standards, then device compatibility and manufacturing standardization are improved, but the risk of incorrect medicament loading and cross-use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing specific coding features at particular locations on the cartridge and cartridge holder. These coding features include geometric shapes, patterns, or mechanical structures that are locally positioned on the cartridge flange or holder interface. This localized coding ensures that only the correct cartridge type can be properly engaged with its designated holder, preventing cross-use while maintaining standardization benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry through non-symmetric coding features on the cartridge and cartridge holder. The coding elements are designed with asymmetric geometries that create a unique fit between specific cartridge-holder pairs. This asymmetric design ensures that a cartridge from one supplier or type can only be loaded into its designated holder, eliminating the risk of incorrect medicament loading while still allowing multiple suppliers to produce standardized cartridges.
2Reliability
If mechanical coding features are added to cartridges and cartridge holders to ensure compatibility, then user safety and device compatibility are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the coding system into separate, independent components: coding features on the cartridge, corresponding counter-coding features on the cartridge holder, and fastening elements. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled together. The modular nature of the coded housing components reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability through the interlocking coding system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating complementary coding features that are geometric replicas or mirrors of each other. The coding feature on the cartridge is essentially a copy (in reverse or complementary form) of the counter-coding feature on the holder. This copying approach simplifies manufacturing, as the same geometric patterns can be produced using standard molding or machining processes, reducing complexity while ensuring precise fit and high reliability.
3Ease of operation
If patients with impaired vision and dexterity use standard injection devices, then ease of use is reduced, but the risk of misuse and incorrect medicament dispensing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating visually distinct coding features that can be easily perceived by patients with impaired vision. The coded housing components may use contrasting colors, fluorescent markers, or high-visibility geometric patterns that are simple to distinguish. This visual enhancement maintains ease of operation for patients with visual impairments while the mechanical coding prevents misuse by ensuring only the correct cartridge can be physically engaged.
Data Source
AI summary
A coded housing of a drug delivery device includes a first housing component having a first connecting end, a second housing component having a second connecting end, an insert on one of the first connecting end or the second connecting end, a receptacle on the other one of the first connecting end or the second connecting end, a fastening element on the insert, a counter fastening element in the receptacle, a mechanical coding on the insert and including a coding feature, and a mechanical counter coding in the receptacle and including a counter coding feature. The mechanical coding is defined by a combination of a position of the coding feature with regard to a longitudinal direction and an extent of the coding feature in one or both of the longitudinal direction or a transverse direction.