Flexible Injection Container With Tension Spring Contraction Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible containers for injection devices are prone to self-damage during emptying, and existing solutions lack controlled collapsing behavior and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A flexible container with a tension spring contraction member that connects oppositely located ends, providing a controlled collapsing behavior and preventing self-damage by exerting a collapsing force, while being cost-efficient to manufacture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a flexible container is used to enable complete emptying and controlled collapsing, then the container may self-damage during emptying, but using a rigid container prevents self-damage while making complete emptying difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete emptying capabilityVSAvoidcontainer integrity during emptying
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible container made of deformable material that can collapse as medicament is withdrawn, enabling complete emptying while maintaining controlled deformation through integrated structural elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible container is segmented into functional zones including a deformation zone with integrated stiffening elements that control the collapsing behavior, allowing the container to empty completely without self-damaging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If glass cartridges are used to ensure chemical inertness and optical transparency, then the container is fragile and prone to mechanical impact, but using flexible materials prevents breakage while reducing chemical inertness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical impact resistanceVSAvoidchemical inertness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional glass cartridges with flexible containers made of chemically inert materials that resist mechanical impact while maintaining pharmaceutical compatibility through material selection and surface treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible container utilizes composite material structures combining flexible polymers with reinforcing layers to achieve both mechanical durability and chemical inertness required for medicament storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If a tension spring contraction member is added to provide controlled collapsing behavior, then manufacturing cost increases, but without it the container cannot be emptied completely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete emptying capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the contraction function directly into the container structure through deformation zones with built-in stiffening elements, merging the collapsing mechanism with the container body to eliminate separate contraction components and reduce manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 flexible container ensures controlled and complete emptying with reduced risk of self-damage and is cost-effective for mass production, maintaining the integrity of the container during medicament withdrawal.

Implementation Method 1

The contraction member comprises a tension spring having at least two windings enclosing the bag. The tension spring is of helical shape.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

By means of the contraction member a well-defined collapsing behavior of the flexible bag is obtained as the liquid medicament is withdrawn from its interior volume.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3288611B1Flexible container for an injection device
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 SANOFI AVENTIS DEUT GMBH
  • EP3288611B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a flexible container for an injection device (50), comprising: a flexible bag (12) having an interior volume (14) to be filled with a liquid medicament (16), an outlet (19) located at a first end (13) of the bag (12), a contraction member (30) connected to the bag (12) to displace a second end (15) of the bag (12) located opposite to the first end (13) towards the first end (13).