Flexible Advance Cable Drive Mechanism for Compact Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices lack compact dimensions and efficient mechanisms for delivering pharmaceuticals such as insulin and peptides, which are essential for managing conditions like diabetes mellitus and its complications, requiring innovative drive mechanisms for precise and compact drug administration.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism featuring a flexible advance cable with a coupling feature and guide means, where a drive means engages the coupling feature for permanent advancement, allowing for compact dimensions and efficient drug delivery from a cartridge, suitable for portable devices like insulin pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a semi-rigid belt with track and tooth engagement is used to drive the piston, then the mechanism achieves reliable one-directional advancement, but the device dimensions become large and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking and tooth engagement mechanisms from the drive system, replacing them with a flexible cable that is directly engaged by the drive means. This removes unnecessary structural elements while maintaining the core function of one-directional advancement through the flexible cable's inherent properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible cable instead of a semi-rigid belt, utilizing the flexibility and thin profile of the cable to reduce device volume. The flexible cable can be engaged by the drive means without requiring rigid structural support, enabling compact device dimensions while maintaining reliable advancement.
2Volume of moving object
If traditional rigid drive mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot achieve compact dimensions suitable for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional rigid mechanical drive mechanisms with a flexible cable system. This substitution allows the drive means to engage and advance the cable through flexible pathways, enabling compact device dimensions while the engagement mechanism ensures reliable operation without complex rigid structural components.
3Volume of moving object
If a flexible cable without engagement mechanism is used, then the device achieves compact dimensions, but permanent advancement cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cable is designed to be directly engaged by the drive means, allowing the cable itself to serve as both the flexible transmission element and the component that receives driving force. This self-service approach ensures permanent advancement capability while maintaining compact dimensions, as the cable's flexibility and engagement interface work together without requiring additional structural elements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The drive mechanism is suitable for a permanent delivery of a drug from a compact drug delivery device, which may be carried on the body. The drive mechanism comprises a flexible advance cable (2) bearing a coupling feature (12) of longitudinal extension. The advance cable is guided by a guide means (3). A drive means (4) engages the coupling feature and thus enables an advancement of the advance cable according to the guide means. An end piece (5) is provided to push a plug (7) or bung of a cartridge (6) containing a drug, and the end piece is driven by the advance cable. The drive means is permanently engaged with the coupling feature. This allows a permanent advancement of the plug or bung by means of the drive mechanism.