Segmented Dispense Interface for Multi-Reservoir Drug Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices for delivering multiple medicaments are complex and costly to manufacture, with issues of material compatibility and cross-contamination, requiring intricate assembly and frequent exchange of dispense interfaces, which complicates the delivery process and increases production costs.

Innovation Solution

A simplified dispense interface design comprising two parts joined to form a fluidic channel with separate needle assemblies, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, reducing the need for integrated needles during manufacturing and enabling frequent replacement, thus minimizing contamination risks and production complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single integrated dispense interface with integrated needles is used, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispense interface reliabilityVSAvoiddispense interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispense interface is divided into separate components: a reusable main body and disposable needle assemblies. This segmentation allows the complex fluidic channel system to be manufactured separately from the needles, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability through standardized connections between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If integrated needles are included in the dispense interface during manufacturing, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle assemblies are separated from the main dispense interface body, allowing each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes. The reusable body can be manufactured with precise fluidic channels while needles are manufactured separately and attached via standardized connections, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle assemblies are designed as disposable components that are attached to the reusable dispense interface body. This allows the expensive, complex fluidic channel system to be manufactured once and reused, while the simpler needle components are replaced frequently, reducing long-term manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the dispense interface is frequently exchanged to prevent cross-contamination, then biocompatibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-contaminationVSAvoiddelivery process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle assemblies are separated from the main dispense interface body, allowing only the needle portions to be exchanged between injections while the main body remains attached to the injection device. This reduces the frequency of exchanges needed to prevent cross-contamination while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle assemblies are designed as disposable components that are quickly attached and detached from the reusable dispense interface body. This allows frequent replacement of the parts that contact different medications (preventing cross-contamination) while keeping the main interface system in place, maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate needle assemblies for each reservoir are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir compatibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispense interface provides separate connection points and needle assemblies for each reservoir, allowing independent connection and disconnection. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to different reservoir configurations and medication types while keeping the overall interface structure relatively simple through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9878105B2Dispense interface

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 SANOFI AVENTIS DEUT GMBH

AI summary

The invention provides a dispense interface for an ejection device comprising a first part and a second part, at least a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, a fluidic channel and a connection element for each of the openings, wherein the first part is joined to said second part to form at least a part of said fluidic channel connecting said openings with each other and wherein each connection element is configured to accept a needle assembly for a fluid tight connection with said corresponding opening in order to reduce the complexity and provide an easy usage of the dispense interface and at the same time overcome the problems of material compatibility and cross contamination. The invention also relates to a system comprising a dispense interface according to the invention and a needle assembly for each opening. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for preparing a dispense interface according to the invention.