Fixed Dose Injection Device Trigger Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection devices are inconvenient and confusing for users with visual impairments or cognitive deficiencies, particularly when administering repeated doses of medications like rapid-acting insulins or heparin, as they require manual operation and lack simplicity in dose setting.

Innovation Solution

A semi-automatic fixed dose injection device that allows users to set a predetermined dose between 0.01 ml and 0.30 ml, featuring a rotatable gear with evenly spaced teeth and a torsional spring, ensuring accurate and easy delivery of a fixed dose without the need for complex dose adjustments, with features preventing under or over-dosing and providing ergonomic usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a manual injection device with adjustable dose settings is used, then the device can accommodate different dose requirements, but it becomes confusing and difficult to use for users with visual impairments or cognitive deficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedose adjustment capabilityVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the dose adjustment capability from the injection device, allowing only a single predetermined fixed dose to be set. This eliminates the complexity of multiple dose settings while maintaining the ability to deliver the required medication amount. The device is designed to deliver only one specific dose, removing the confusing adjustable dial while still meeting the medical need for precise dosing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dose parameter from being continuously adjustable to being fixed at a predetermined value. By fixing the dose parameter, the device simplifies the user interface and operation, making it much easier for users with visual or cognitive impairments to use correctly, while still providing the necessary adaptability through the selection of different fixed dose options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a fixed dose mechanism is implemented, then dosing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedose delivery accuracyVSAvoidmechanical mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting the dose during the manufacturing process. The plunger is pre-positioned to deliver a specific fixed dose, and the device is designed to deliver only this predetermined amount. This eliminates the need for complex adjustable mechanisms at the user end, while maintaining high dosing accuracy through the pre-configured mechanical setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable injection device design where the entire device, including the fixed dose mechanism, is discarded after a single use. This allows for simpler mechanical construction without the need for complex reusable adjustment mechanisms, as the device is optimized for single-use precision dosing. The disposable nature reduces the complexity requirements while maintaining dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The device ensures consistent and accurate delivery of a predetermined dose with improved usability, reducing the risk of errors and making it easier for users with dexterity issues or visual impairments to administer medication correctly.

Implementation Method 1

a torsional spring, and a drive shaft; and a trigger connected to the rotatable gear such that when the trigger is activated the torsional spring unwinds and causes the gear wheel to rotate through angle α

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsional spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3858404A1Injection device
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 NEMERA SZCZECIN SP ZOO
  • EP3858404A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858404A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3858404A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A semi-automatic "fixed" dose injection device (1) is disclosed containing a reservoir of medicament, where a trigger (6) controls the unwinding of a torsional spring (18) to cause a predetermined injection of medicament from the reservoir through a disposable needle.