Drug Delivery Device Bulk Additive for Automated Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices, such as pen-type injectors, face challenges in mass production efficiency due to component tolerances and the need for visual inspection, which limits material choices and increases production costs, while also struggling with counterfeiting and expiration date management.
Innovation Solution
Embedding additives within the bulk of device components, such as thermoplastic materials, to provide enhanced contrast and visibility under specific electromagnetic radiation, facilitating automated assembly and inspection, and using photochromic or fluorescent additives to indicate expiration or authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If visual inspection methods are used to control component presence, position and orientation, then assembly quality can be ensured, but the range of materials and colours for device components is limited due to contrast requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color change principles by incorporating contrast elements with specific optical properties that reflect electromagnetic radiation differently than surrounding components. These contrast elements are designed with reflective or absorptive characteristics that create visible differences under inspection lighting, enabling automated visual inspection systems to detect component presence, position, and orientation without limiting the base material or color choices for device components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses contrast elements as intermediary features that mediate between the physical components and the inspection system. These contrast elements are attached to or integrated with components and serve as visual markers that the inspection system detects. This intermediary approach allows the inspection of components regardless of their base material or color, as the contrast elements provide the necessary visual differentiation for automated detection.
2Productivity
If fully automatic production is used to minimize manufacturing costs, then production efficiency increases, but visual inspection and control become more challenging due to tolerances in outer dimensions and assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated electromagnetic radiation-based detection systems. These systems use sensors and imaging devices that detect contrast elements on components, automatically determining component presence, position, and orientation. This substitution of mechanical/manual inspection with automated optical or electromagnetic detection enables fully automatic production while maintaining or improving inspection accuracy despite dimensional tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the inspection parameter from direct measurement of component dimensions and positions to detection of contrast element characteristics. By detecting the presence, position, and orientation of high-contrast markers rather than directly measuring component geometry, the system becomes more tolerant of dimensional variations and assembly tolerances, enabling automatic inspection without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of parts and assembly steps are minimized to reduce manufacturing costs, then device simplicity increases, but the ability to provide visual inspection and control features is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the contrast element with the component itself, either by integrating the contrast feature into the component manufacturing process or by attaching the contrast element as part of the component assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate contrast element components, reducing the total part count while maintaining the visual inspection capability. The contrast feature becomes an inherent part of the component rather than an add-on element.
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
Improves assembly reliability and production efficiency by enhancing component visibility and providing effective anti-counterfeiting and expiration date indication without altering existing production processes or adding surface treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The additive is adapted to provide a visually perceptible signal when exposed to electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
using photochromic or fluorescent additives to indicate expiration or authenticity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drug delivery device for administering a medicinal product to a patient comprising at least one component (2, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) comprising a material having an additive embedded in the bulk of said component, wherein the additive is adapted to provide a visually perceptible signal when exposed to electromagnetic radiation.