Dose Dial Coupling With Overload Protection for Reliable Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical delivery devices are prone to misuse and failure during dosing operations, particularly when operated by unskilled persons, and may be damaged by excessive rotational force, necessitating a safer and more reliable dosing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A medical delivery device with a coupling structure incorporating an overload protection mechanism that prevents torsional forces exceeding a predefined threshold, featuring a ring portion and engaging structures to securely couple and decouple the dial unit and dosage member, ensuring safe and controlled dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a syringe is used to deliver liquid from a vial, then the liquid can be transferred and delivered, but the operation becomes difficult and requires educated persons such as doctors or nurses
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables patients to perform dosing operations themselves through a simplified interface. The dial unit with numerical markings allows users to directly select desired dosage volumes without requiring medical training, while the automatic needle retraction and safety mechanisms ensure reliable operation even by unskilled persons
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary dosing mechanism between the vial and the patient. The dosing chamber and dial unit act as intermediaries that simplify the complex syringe operation into a straightforward dial-and-deliver process, making the operation accessible to patients while maintaining reliability through engineered controls
2Ease of operation
If the dial unit is rotated to dose liquid, then the dosage can be controlled, but excessive rotational force may break the device
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure incorporates a built-in safety mechanism that cushions against excessive force before damage occurs. The engagement features are designed to disengage or slip when a predetermined torque threshold is exceeded, preventing device breakage while allowing normal dosing operations to proceed freely
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure's engagement parameters are designed to change state under excessive force. The mechanical engagement transitions from a locked state during normal operation to a disengaged or slipped state when torque exceeds safe limits, providing passive protection without requiring active control
3Measurement precision
If the first thread arrangement engages the second thread arrangement to vary dosage chamber volume, then precise dosing is achieved, but the mechanism becomes complex and prone to misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The complex thread arrangement mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler dial-based volume control system. The dosing chamber volume is varied through a more straightforward mechanism that maintains precision while reducing complexity and the potential for user error
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical thread engagement system is substituted with a dial unit that controls dosage through a simpler rotational mechanism. This replacement maintains the ability to precisely control dosing chamber volume while eliminating the complexity and potential for misuse associated with threaded connections
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
The device enhances safety by preventing damage and misuse, allowing controlled dosing operations even by unskilled users, thereby ensuring precise and reliable delivery of liquid medications.
Implementation Method 1
the rod element is movable along its longitudinal axis relative to the dosage member by the first thread arrangement of the rod element and the second thread arrangement of the dosage member travelling along each other such that a volume of a dosage chamber in the interior of the chamber body of the dosage member is varied
Implementation Method 2
rotation of the dial unit applies a torsional force to the dosage member via the coupling structure, which torsional force rotates the dosage member such that the second thread arrangement of the dosage member and the first thread arrangement of the stem of the rod element travel along each other
Data Source
AI summary
A medical delivery device is disclosed having a rod element having a first thread arrangement, a dosage member having a second thread arrangement, a dial unit, and a coupling structure coupling the dial unit to the dosage member. A stem of the rod element extends into a chamber body of the dosage member. In a dosing status, the rod element is movable relative to the dosage member by the first and second thread arrangements travelling along each other such that a volume of a dosage chamber of the chamber body is varied. In the dosing status rotation of the dial unit applies a torsional force to the dosage member, wherein the torsional force rotates the dosage member such that the first and second thread arrangements travel along each other. An overload protection mechanism is provided that is configured to prevent the torsional force from exceeding a predefined threshold force.