Drug Delivery Device Feedback Mechanism for Full-Dose Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices, both manual and autoinjectors, 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, due to varying force requirements.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device with a feedback mechanism comprising a collar and needle shroud that decouples during the injection process, providing audible and tactile feedback when the full dose is administered, and a plunger release mechanism to ensure complete delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional manual injection device is used, then the user has control over the injection process, but the user requires manual dexterity and may not be able to administer the full dose due to insufficient force or premature release
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service injection administration through an autoinjector mechanism that automatically delivers the medicament without requiring manual dexterity or sustained force from the user. The spring-loaded plunger and needle assembly perform the injection autonomously after activation, ensuring reliable full dose delivery while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates feedback mechanisms including visual indicators and tactile feedback to confirm proper activation and completion of the injection process. This ensures the user can verify that the full dose has been administered reliably without requiring manual skill.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional autoinjector is used, then the injection process is automated and easy to operate, but the user receives no confirmation that the full dose has been administered
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs color changes as visual feedback to indicate dose administration status. Different colors or color transitions signal whether the injection is in progress, complete, or has failed, providing clear information to the user without complicating the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates mechanical vibration or audible feedback mechanisms that provide tactile confirmation when the full dose has been administered. This ensures the user receives immediate feedback on dose completion while maintaining simple operation.
3Quantity of substance
If the plunger is continuously pressed during manual injection, then the medicament can be delivered, but premature release of the plunger stops the injection and may not deliver the intended dose
Solution Approach 1:
The autoinjector mechanism performs the dose delivery function autonomously once activated. The spring-loaded plunger automatically pushes the medicament through the needle without requiring the user to maintain manual pressure, eliminating the risk of premature release and ensuring complete dose delivery with minimal user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-loaded with the medicament and the plunger is pre-positioned in the ready state before use. Upon activation, the injection process occurs automatically without requiring continuous manual intervention, ensuring the full dose is delivered even if the user releases the device during administration.
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, reducing the risk of incomplete injections and enhancing usability for diverse user groups.
Implementation Method 1
a control spring biasing the collar in a distal direction
Implementation Method 2
the collar comprises one or more resilient first snap-fit joints adapted to couple to the needle shroud in a ramp engagement in the first state, the first snap-fit joints adapted to inwardly deflect due to this ramp engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device includes a case adapted to hold a medicament container, a plunger disposed within the case and slidable from a proximal position into a distal position for delivering a medicament from the medicament container, at least one feedback mechanism that is in operative connection with the plunger. The feedback mechanism comprises a collar, a control spring biasing the collar in a distal direction, a needle shroud, operatively axially abutting the collar in a first coupled state and prevented from axially decoupling the collar by the plunger in its proximal position The plunger, when approaching the distal position during movement from the proximal position towards the distal position, is adapted to allow axial decoupling of the needle shroud from the collar, allowing for a limited axial movement of the collar relative to the needle shroud until the collar axially abuts the needle shroud in a second coupled state.