Compact Auto-injection Device with Nested Spring Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing auto-injection devices for conditions like anaphylaxis are bulky and heavy, making them inconvenient to carry or wear, which can lead to delayed administration of life-saving medications in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A light and compact auto-injection device with coaxial needle and syringe design, utilizing two sets of springs for sequential or simultaneous release to administer the medication, housed in a sealed casing with protective features and a wearable design that can be activated easily, such as a watch-sized case with a telescoping mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional auto-injection devices are designed with sufficient medication storage and injection mechanism, then they can reliably administer medication, but they become bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication administration reliabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the syringe is positioned within the casing, the needle is housed within the syringe, and the springs are contained within the syringe assembly. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging of all components, reducing overall device volume and weight while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components: the casing serves as both the outer protective shell and the housing for the syringe and springs; the syringe acts as both the medication delivery conduit and the container for the injection mechanism; the needle serves as both the injection tip and a structural element of the activation mechanism. This merging reduces the total number of separate components, thereby reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional auto-injection devices are designed with sufficient medication storage and injection mechanism, then they can reliably administer medication, but they become bulky and hard to carry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication administration reliabilityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the syringe is positioned within the casing, the needle is housed within the syringe, and the springs are contained within the syringe assembly. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging of all components, reducing overall device volume and weight while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a telescoping mechanism that allows the needle and syringe to extend and retract along the longitudinal axis of the device. This dimensional transformation enables the device to transition between a compact stored state and an extended injection state, effectively reducing the volume occupied by the device during carrying while maintaining full functionality during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Weight of moving object

If the device is made compact and lightweight, then it becomes easier to carry and wear, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice weightVSAvoidspring release mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the release mechanism into two independent spring systems: a first set of springs that pushes the needle outward, and a second set of springs that pushes the plunger to deliver medication. This segmentation allows each spring system to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving the compact design goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-loads both sets of springs into compressed states within the device housing before use. The first set of springs is compressed to push the needle outward upon activation, while the second set of springs is compressed to push the plunger for medication delivery. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time actuation mechanisms, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the device uses sequential spring release, then the injection process is controlled, but the activation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection controlVSAvoidactivation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-loads both sets of springs into compressed states within the device housing before use. The first set of springs is compressed to push the needle outward upon activation, while the second set of springs is compressed to push the plunger for medication delivery. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time actuation mechanisms, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the spring release sequence to continue the injection action without interruption: the first set of springs pushes the needle outward to penetrate the skin, and immediately thereafter, the second set of springs pushes the plunger to deliver the medication through the needle. This continuous action eliminates pauses or delays between needle penetration and medication delivery, maintaining control while minimizing activation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables convenient carrying and wearing, ensuring timely administration of medications like epinephrine, enhancing user accessibility and potentially saving lives in emergency situations by providing a compact and reliable auto-injection system.

Implementation Method 1

The first set of springs is coupled to the syringe and configured to push the needle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

Each set of springs comprises a compressed state and a released state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The second set of springs is coupled to the plunger and configured to push the plunger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 4

When the first set of springs is released, the second set of springs is released from its compressed state and drives the plunger to inject the substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11229744B2Auto-injection device

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 BDRTECH LLC

AI summary

The present application discloses a device that is designed to inject into a user medicinal or non-medical substance upon activation. The device is light and compact, suitable for wearing or carrying by a user. The device comprises a needle, a syringe, and two sets of springs. The syringe comprises a plunger and a chamber for storing an injection substance. The needle is configured to be coaxial and in communication with the syringe. Each set of springs may comprise one or more springs. The first set of springs is configured to push the needle and the second set of springs is configured to move the plunger. In one exemplary embodiment, the device is enclosed in a sealed case and the device may be made to resemble a watch.