Drug Delivery Drive Mechanism With Accessory Torque Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices, particularly pen-type injectors, face challenges in providing intuitive and low-force dose dispensing, with electronic devices offering high accuracy but potentially confusing operation and mechanical devices requiring significant user effort, and both types risking incorrect dose indication due to component failures.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism with an elongated housing, a piston rod, and an auxiliary drive that supports dose dispensing with reduced user force, featuring a dosing arrangement for setting and dispensing doses mechanically, with an accessory drive that provides additional torque during dispensing but remains inoperable during dose setting, ensuring mechanical feedback and control, and includes a dose indicating member for accurate dose visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electro-mechanical device is used to control dose setting and dispensing, then dosing accuracy is improved, but operation intuitiveness deteriorates and user acceptance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical feedback mechanism as an intermediary between the electro-mechanical dosing system and the user. The dose setting member mechanically engages with the piston rod through a transmission mechanism, providing tactile feedback that mediates the interaction between electronic control and user perception, thereby restoring intuitiveness while maintaining electronic precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements mechanical feedback through the engagement between the dose setting member and piston rod. This feedback loop allows the user to physically sense the dosing state and piston position, providing intuitive information about the actual dose being administered while the electronic system maintains precise control
2Ease of operation
If an all-mechanical device is used for dose dispensing, then operation intuitiveness is improved, but dispensing force requirement increases burdening physically impaired persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical force transmission system with an electro-mechanical actuation system. The electronic motor-driven mechanism substitutes for manual force application, eliminating the need for users to exert large dispensing forces while preserving the intuitive mechanical interface for dose setting and indication
3Measurement precision
If electronic components are used for dose indication, then dosing accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mechanical backup indication system that cushions against the risk of electronic failure. The mechanical dose indicator, engaged with the piston rod through the transmission mechanism, provides redundant dose verification independent of electronic components, ensuring reliable dose indication even if electronic systems fail
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a drive mechanism of a drug delivery device and to a respective drug delivery device for setting and dispensing of a dose of a medicament, the drive mechanism comprising: - an elongated housing (12) extending in an axial direction (1, 2), - a piston rod (22) to operably engage with a piston (20) of a cartridge (14) containing the medicament, - a dosing arrangement (31) manually and axially displaceable relative to the housing (12) for setting and dispensing of the dose, - an accessory drive (26) operably engaged with the piston rod (22) to support a manually operated dose dispensing displacement of the dosing arrangement (31).