Drug Delivery Device With Audible-Tactile Dose Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices face challenges such as the need for manual dexterity, potential premature release of the plunger, and difficulty in administering a full dose, especially for elderly or children, and autoinjectors may not provide adequate feedback on dose completion.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device with a feedback mechanism using a collar and control spring that provides audible and tactile feedback upon completion of the medicament delivery, ensuring the full dose is administered, featuring a plunger release mechanism that prevents premature release and allows for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional manual injection device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the user requires manual dexterity and may not be able to administer the full dose
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device is designed as an autoinjector that performs the injection automatically without requiring manual manipulation. The spring mechanism self-activates upon triggering, automatically advancing the needle and plunger to deliver the full dose, eliminating the need for user dexterity and manual force application
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded in a compressed state during device assembly, storing potential energy that is automatically converted to kinetic energy during injection. This preliminary action ensures the device can deliver the full dose without requiring the user to apply force during the injection process
2Loss of information
If a conventional autoinjector is used, then the injection is automated, but the user lacks feedback on dose completion
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a feedback mechanism where the collar provides tactile feedback to the user during the injection process. When the plunger reaches the end of its travel and the medicament is fully delivered, the collar's position or movement provides a detectable signal (such as a click or change in resistance) that informs the user the injection is complete
3Reliability
If the plunger is released prematurely in a manual device, then the injection stops, but the device structure is simple
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded and mechanically locked in a compressed state before use. The locking mechanism ensures the spring cannot release prematurely, and only activates when the trigger is deliberately actuated. This preliminary preparation with mechanical interlocking prevents accidental or premature injection
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical coupling between the plunger and the spring system provides tactile feedback to the user about the injection progress. The user can feel the plunger's movement and the spring's energy release, providing awareness of the injection status and preventing premature release
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
Ensures the full dose is delivered with user-friendly operation, providing clear feedback and preventing accidental needle exposure, enhancing safety and usability for various user groups.
Implementation Method 1
a control spring biasing the needle shroud in a distal direction relative to the collar
Implementation Method 2
create an audible and/or tactile feedback
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a drug delivery device (1) comprising: -a case (2) adapted to retain a medicament container (3), -a plunger (10) disposed within the case (2) and slidable from a proximal position (P1) into a distal position (P2) for delivering a medicament (M) from the medicament container (3), -at least one feedback mechanism (13) that is in operative connection with the plunger (10), the feedback mechanism (13) comprising a collar (14), a needle shroud (7), a control spring (8) biasing the needle shroud (7) in a distal direction (D) relative to the collar (14), the collar (14) operatively coupling to the case (2) in an axial direction and prevented from axially decoupling from the case (2) by the plunger (10) when in the proximal position (P1), wherein the plunger (10), during movement from the proximal position (P1) towards the distal position (P2), is adapted to allow axial decoupling of the collar (14) from the case (2) driven by the control spring (8) until the collar's(14) movement is halted to create an audible and/or tactile feedback.