Drug Delivery Assembly with Self-Returning Dose Button
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery devices lack enhanced safety and user comfort, particularly in preventing overdose and requiring user-operated steps to prepare for dose delivery.
Innovation Solution
An assembly for a drug delivery device featuring a housing with a dose button and a resilient setting member that automatically returns to the dose delivery position after use, using stored energy to facilitate subsequent dose delivery, and a blocking member that decouples to allow user-controlled dose delivery, preventing unintentional dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the dose button is made manually returnable to the dose delivery position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user comfort and automation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient setting member enables the dose button to automatically return to the dose delivery position without user intervention. The button self-actuates upon release, eliminating the need for manual operation and improving ease of use while maintaining simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient setting member is pre-loaded during the dose delivery movement and automatically activates to return the dose button to the delivery position. This preliminary energy storage and automatic activation eliminates the need for user-operated return steps, enhancing user comfort
2Ease of operation
If the dose button is made fully moveable in the distal direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety is worsened due to potential overdose
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end stop is positioned to prevent the dose button from moving beyond the distal end position. This preliminary mechanical constraint counteracts any potential overdose by physically blocking excessive distal movement, ensuring safety while allowing full ease of operation within safe limits
Solution Approach 2:
The distal end stop provides a mechanical barrier before excessive movement can occur. This protective feature is built into the device structure to prevent harmful outcomes (overdose) before they can happen, while not interfering with normal dose delivery operation
3Ease of operation
If automatic dose setting is implemented using resilient setting member, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient setting member automatically performs the dose setting function by returning the dose button to the delivery position without user intervention. This self-actuating mechanism provides automatic dose setting while adding minimal structural complexity to the device
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient setting member stores energy during dose delivery and automatically activates to return the dose button to the delivery position. This preliminary energy storage enables automatic dose setting functionality with a simple mechanical component, minimizing device complexity
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 solution provides a user-friendly and safe drug delivery device by automatically preparing for subsequent doses and preventing overdose, enhancing user comfort and safety through mechanical and energy-based mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient setting member may be deformed, e.g. compressed. The resilient setting member may be deformed to store energy in the resilient setting member
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a drug delivery device comprises a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a dose button configured to be moved with respect to the housing for setting and delivering a dose of a drug, and a resilient setting member. For a dose delivery movement, the dose button is arranged to be moveable in the distal direction with respect to the housing from a dose delivery position, thereby deforming the resilient setting member to store energy in the resilient setting member. The assembly is configured to use the energy stored in the resilient setting member for a dose setting movement to move the dose button in the proximal direction with respect to the housing into the dose delivery position. Furthermore, a drug delivery device is provided.