Dispense Interface Lockout Element Prevents Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drug delivery devices that administer multiple medicaments in a single injection step often face challenges in preventing reuse of the dispense interface, leading to potential contamination and compromised purity of the medicaments.

Innovation Solution

A dispense interface with a lockout element that moves from a receptive to a locked condition when attached and detached from the drug delivery device, preventing reattachment and ensuring the interface is not reused, utilizing a spring element and guiding track mechanism for reliable automatic movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the dispense interface is designed to be reusable, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination risk and loss of substance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dispense interface is designed as a single-use component with a lockout element that prevents reattachment after one use. The interface is discarded after delivering the medicament, eliminating contamination risks from reuse while maintaining ease of operation through automatic lockout functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The lockout element is extracted as a separate functional component from the dispense interface. This lockout element moves between receptive and locked conditions to control attachment, and its removal/prevention of reattachment is the key mechanism that eliminates contamination while preserving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the dispense interface is made single-use, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lockout element is configured to automatically move between receptive and locked conditions based on attachment and detachment events. The system serves itself by using the attachment/detachment action to trigger the lockout mechanism, eliminating the need for additional controls or complex user interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The lockout element is designed as a movable component that dynamically changes state (receptive/locked) in response to attachment conditions. This dynamic behavior allows a simple mechanical solution to control reuse prevention without requiring complex electronic or manual systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the lockout element is made automatic, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic lockout function replaces complex electronic control systems with a purely mechanical solution. The lockout element uses mechanical movement and positioning to achieve reliable reuse prevention, eliminating the need for precise electronic actuation while maintaining high reliability through passive mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Effectively prevents reuse of the dispense interface, maintaining the purity of medicaments and reducing the risk of contamination, ensuring safe and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

the lockout element is movable from a receptive condition to a locked condition when attached and detached from the drug delivery device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9707358B2Dispense interface with lockout element

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 SANOFI AVENTIS DEUT GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a dispense interface for use with a drug delivery device with an inner body and with a lockout element, wherein the lockout element is coupled to the inner body, wherein the lockout element is movable from a receptive condition to a locked condition, wherein in the receptive condition the dispense interface is attachable to the drug delivery device, wherein in the locked condition the dispense interface is not-attachable to the drug delivery device and wherein the lockout element is configured to move from the receptive condition to the locked condition when said dispense interface is attached to and detached from said drug delivery device. The invention solves the technical problem of reducing the risk of reuse of a dispense interface, after it has already been used with a drug delivery device.