Injection Drive Mechanism with Blocking-Based Flexible Dose Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices lack flexibility in dose settings, leading to fixed minimum doses that can result in medicament waste and limited user customization, particularly for patients requiring titration or variable dosing.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism with a helical inner body and tubular display member, featuring a blocking member that allows variable dose settings through a blocking structure, enabling both titration and fixed dose ranges by modifying only a few components, applicable to both disposable and reusable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed minimum dose mechanism is implemented, then dose control reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic dose setting mechanism where the minimum dose threshold can be adjusted based on the cartridge type. The system transitions from a static fixed minimum dose to a dynamic adjustable minimum dose that adapts to different cartridge configurations, allowing both reliability for minimum dose control and adaptability for different dosing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of minimum dose threshold from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be modified based on cartridge type. By making the minimum dose setting adjustable rather than fixed, the system maintains reliability for ensuring minimum effective doses while improving adaptability for different patient needs and cartridge configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable dose settings are enabled, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal drive mechanism that handles both fixed dose and variable dose settings through a single integrated system. The same clutch mechanism and dose dial serve multiple functions: enforcing minimum doses for certain cartridge types while allowing variable dosing for others, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the dose setting mechanism into distinct functional components: a clutch mechanism for engaging/disengaging the dose dial, a dose dial for user input, and a blocking member for enforcing minimum doses. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing perceived complexity.
3Reliability
If a blocking structure is added to enforce minimum dose, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blocking member with the existing dose dial assembly, integrating the minimum dose enforcement feature into the existing structure rather than adding a completely separate mechanism. The blocking member is positioned within the dose dial assembly and works in conjunction with the clutch mechanism, thereby improving reliability for minimum dose enforcement while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
Enables flexible dose selection, minimizes medicament waste, and provides intuitive dose dispensing with reduced component modifications, suitable for a wide range of injection devices.
Implementation Method 1
The inner body includes at least an elongated shaft that extends in an axial direction (z) and has an outer thread. The outer thread is a helical thread and has a constant or varying pitch in the axial direction.
Implementation Method 2
The display member includes at least one blocking member that is movable and/or flexible in the axial direction between a blocking position (B) and a release position (R). The blocking member is engageable with a blocking structure that is located on the outer circumference of the inner body.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a drive mechanism for an injection device for setting and dispensing of a dose of a medicament, the drive mechanism including an inner body fixable inside a housing of the injection device, the inner body including an elongated shaft extending in an axial direction and having an outer thread, a tubular-shaped display member having an inner thread engaged with the outer thread, and a dose member axially displaceable between a dose setting position(S) and a dose dispensing position (D) relative to the display member. The display member includes at least one blocking member movable in axial direction (z) between a blocking position (B) and a release position and engageable with a blocking thread on the outer circumference of the inner body.