Drug Delivery Device Assembly with Removable Preparation Button
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Patients unfamiliar with drug delivery devices may incorrectly prepare them, leading to inaccuracies in the first administered dose, and there is a risk of confusion regarding device preparation due to infrequent use.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device assembly featuring a body with a drive assembly and button members that guide users through correct preparation, ensuring accurate dosing by preventing device activation until proper preparation is completed, with irreversible detachment of the first button member after preparation and accessibility of the second button member only after preparation is finished.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drug delivery device allows immediate activation after assembly, then the device is simple to operate, but the first dispensed dose may be inaccurate due to incorrect preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The device requires a preparation action (depressing the first button member) to be completed before the dispensing function becomes available. This preliminary action ensures that the drive assembly is properly primed and positioned, guaranteeing accurate dosing from the first use. The preparation step moves the piston rod to the correct initial position and primes the drive mechanism before any medication can be dispensed.
Solution Approach 2:
The first button member serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the user and the drive assembly. By requiring this intermediate preparation step, the device ensures proper initialization of the drive mechanism. The button member physically connects to and actuates the drive assembly, creating a controlled interface that prevents premature or incorrect activation.
2Reliability
If a drug delivery device requires preparation steps, then dosing accuracy is improved, but users may become confused about whether the device has been prepared
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs visual indicators that change state to communicate preparation status. The indicator shows one state when preparation is required and a different state when preparation is complete, providing immediate visual feedback to the user. This eliminates confusion about whether the device is ready for use without requiring the user to remember or interpret complex mechanical positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides immediate feedback through the indicator mechanism that communicates the preparation status to the user. When the first button member is depressed to complete preparation, the indicator automatically changes to show that the device is ready. This feedback loop ensures the user always knows the current state of the device, preventing confusion and ensuring proper usage.
3Device complexity
If a drug delivery device allows re-use of preparation components, then device complexity is reduced, but accidental re-preparation or incorrect operation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The first button member is designed as a separate, removable component that is taken out after the single preparation action is completed. This extraction prevents any possibility of re-preparation or accidental re-actuation of the drive assembly. By removing the preparation interface rather than leaving it integrated, the device ensures that the preparation step can only be performed once, eliminating errors from repeated or incorrect preparation actions.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly of a drug delivery device with a longitudinal axis (L) is given, comprising a body (1) with a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3). The drug delivery device further comprises a drive assembly and a first button member (4). The drive assembly is at least partially arranged within the body (1) and is adapted to facilitate dispense of a medicinal product. The first button member (4) acts on the drive assembly to prepare the drug delivery device for dispensing the medicinal product. The first button member (4) is adapted to be detachable from the body (1) after the preparation of the drug delivery device is completed.