End-of-Dose Indicator Mechanism for Clear Injection Completion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior-art end-of-dose indicators in injection devices are difficult to manufacture and costly, making it challenging for users to determine the exact moment of injection completion, and they often move progressively, complicating the identification of the injection's end.
Innovation Solution
An injection device with a hidden end-of-dose indicator that pops up clearly when the injection is complete, using elastic means and a triggering portion to unlock hiding means, ensuring a single, reliable movement, and is easy to manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a prior-art end-of-dose indicator is used that moves progressively during injection, then the indicator provides continuous feedback, but it becomes difficult for users to see the exact moment of injection completion and the indicator may be costly or difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the indicator move progressively during injection, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the indicator hidden during injection and having it pop up suddenly at the end. The indicator is concealed within the case during the injection process and only becomes visible when the plunger triggers the release mechanism, providing a clear binary signal rather than a progressive one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the indicator from the continuous movement mechanism and separates it into a discrete, triggerable component. The indicator is housed separately within the case and is released only when needed, rather than being integrated into the plunger's continuous motion. This simplifies the overall mechanism while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a prior-art end-of-dose indicator is used, then injection completion can be indicated, but it may be costly or difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the indicator mechanism with existing components of the injection device, particularly utilizing the plunger's triggering portion and the case structure. The indicator is integrated into the case and triggered by the plunger's movement, eliminating the need for separate complex indication systems. This reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies production.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator system is designed to be self-actuating through the plunger's own movement. The triggering portion of the plunger automatically releases the hiding means without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The system uses the injection process itself to trigger the indication, reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Loss of information
If an end-of-dose indicator moves progressively during injection, then continuous feedback is provided, but the exact moment of completion becomes difficult to identify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by having the indicator remain hidden during the injection process and then suddenly appear at the end. This creates a distinct periodic signal - hidden state during injection, visible state at completion - making it easy for users to identify the exact moment of completion without the ambiguity of progressive movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator uses visual contrast changes to signal completion. The indicator portion transitions from being concealed (invisible) to visible, creating a clear visual signal. This can be enhanced with color changes or contrasting colors to make the completion signal even more apparent to users.
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
Provides a clear and reliable indication of injection completion with a simple, cost-effective design that prevents undesired triggering and ensures easy manufacturing and safe disposal.
Implementation Method 1
an end-of-dose indicator accommodated into said case and movable under a force of the elastic means from a hidden position, in which the end-of dose indicator is hidden from a user, to a visible position, in which at least one portion of the end-of-dose indicator is visible to a user
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an injection device for injecting a substance, comprising a case receiving a barrel containing the substance to be injected and comprising a stopper movable inside the barrel, a plunger unit comprising a triggering portion, the plunger unit being coupled to the stopper and movable with regard to the case from an initial, proximal position to a final, distal position to inject the substance when the barrel is provided into the case, an end-of-dose indicator movable from a hidden position to a visible position in which at least one portion of the end-of-dose indicator is visible to a user, hiding means for locking the end-of-dose indicator in the hidden position and configured to be unlocked by the triggering portion of the plunger unit when the plunger unit reaches an indicator position.