Drug Delivery Device Safety Assembly with Rotating Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in minimizing the risk of unintentional activation of the drive mechanism before a dose is set, particularly in devices where the activation mechanism is not changeable between locked and unlocked positions.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device with a rotatable tubular activation member that can be moved between a disabled and enabled position, featuring a ring member connected to the housing assembly, which is axially fixed and movable in the rotational direction, allowing rotation without unintentionally activating the drive mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the activation mechanism is made changeable between locked and unlocked positions, then the risk of unintentional activation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The activation mechanism is designed to be dynamically changeable between locked and unlocked positions. The locking mechanism includes a movable locking element that can engage or disengage from a locking position based on the rotational position of the activation member, allowing the device to transition between stable locked state and enabled unlocked state dynamically during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking element serves as an intermediary component between the activation member and the drive mechanism. This locking element mediates the interaction by physically blocking the drive mechanism when in the locked position, and allowing activation when in the unlocked position, thus preventing unintentional activation without requiring complex control systems.
2Ease of operation
If the activation member is always enabled for axial movement, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental dose delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device requires a preliminary rotational action to unlock the activation mechanism before axial movement can activate the drive mechanism. The user must first rotate the activation member to a specific angular position that disengages the locking element, ensuring that the activation sequence is deliberate and intentional, thus preventing accidental dose delivery while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation mechanism dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on the rotational position of the activation member. When the activation member is rotated to the unlocked position, the locking element disengages, allowing axial movement. This dynamic state change ensures that the activation member is not always enabled, preventing accidental activation while remaining easy to operate when intended.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the activation member is rotationally locked to the housing, then stability is improved, but the ability to rotate for positioning is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The activation mechanism is segmented into two functional parts: the activation member that rotates for positioning, and the housing that remains stable. The locking element creates a selective connection between these segments, allowing rotation when needed for positioning, and providing stability when the locking element engages. This segmentation allows both rotational freedom and stability to coexist at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the activation member and housing is dynamically controlled by the locking element. When the locking element is engaged, the activation member is rotationally locked to the housing, providing stability. When the locking element is disengaged by rotating the activation member to a specific position, rotational freedom is restored. This dynamic connection allows the system to switch between stability and rotational capability as needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A drug delivery device for delivering a dose of a medicament and a safety assembly for a drug delivery device, wherein the drug delivery device comprises a housing assembly, and a drive mechanism for delivering the dose, in response to activation. The drug delivery device further comprises an activation mechanism comprising a rotatable activation member (310), in response to an axial movement of the activation member, wherein the activation member (310) is adapted to be arranged in: (i) a first angular position, and (ii) a second angular position, wherein activation is allowed. The drug delivery device further comprises a ring member (390) as a part of a safety assembly. The ring member (390) is rotatable and axially splined to the activation member (310). Hereby, the ring member (390) is adapted to transfer a rotation to the activation member (310) from the first position to the second position, in response to a rotation of the ring member, whereby a user can rotate the activation member (310) without unintentionally activating the drive mechanism.