Fluid-Activated Needle Assembly for Adjustable Injection Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices face challenges in providing flexible and cost-effective needle insertion depth adjustment, often requiring complex electrical components or impractical discrete needles.
Innovation Solution
A sub-assembly for a medicament delivery device featuring a shuttle mechanism that adjusts needle length based on fluid pressure, allowing selective delivery of medicaments through different administration paths without electrical control, using an elastic element and needle retention bar to change needle position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If discrete needles with different fixed lengths are used to meet depth requirements, then injection depth requirements are satisfied, but device complexity and impracticality increase due to numerous discrete needles
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly incorporates a movable needle mechanism that can dynamically adjust the protruding length of the needle from the proximal end of the device. The needle is positioned by a retention bar that can be moved between multiple positions, allowing the needle length to be adjusted from 4-6mm for subcutaneous injection to ≥12.7mm for intramuscular injection, eliminating the need for multiple discrete needles.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete positions using a retention bar with multiple engagement positions. This segmentation allows the needle to be positioned at specific lengths corresponding to different injection depths, providing precise control while maintaining a single integrated needle rather than multiple separate needles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical means such as motor-driven pumps are used to adjust needle length, then needle insertion flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to complicated components
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs fluid pressure from the medicament reservoir to actuate the needle adjustment mechanism. When medicament is administered, the resulting fluid pressure moves the retention bar to different positions, thereby adjusting the needle length. This pneumatic/hydraulic actuation eliminates the need for electrical motors, circuits, or other complex electrical components while providing automated needle insertion flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the medicament administration process itself to generate the fluid pressure needed for needle adjustment. The fluid pressure generated during medicament delivery automatically actuates the retention bar movement, making the needle length adjustment a self-service function that occurs during normal operation without requiring separate electrical control systems.
3Ease of operation
If automated needle insertion is implemented, then user operation is simplified, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The needle adjustment mechanism is merged with the medicament administration system. The same fluid pressure that drives medicament delivery also actuates the needle length adjustment through the retention bar. This merging of functions allows automated needle insertion to occur as an integrated part of the medicament administration process rather than as a separate mechanism, simplifying user operation while controlling overall 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 adjustable needle insertion depth for various medicament delivery needs, simplifying the device structure and reducing complexity while ensuring precise administration.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid pressure is effectuated in the chamber when the medicament is provided
Implementation Method 2
an elastic element longitudinally arranged along the needle and attached to the housing at one end and attached to a needle hub at another end
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a sub-assembly for a medicament delivery device, comprising: a housing, a closed chamber, and a tubing set transversally connected to the chamber. The tubing set is arranged to provide one of a first medicament flow and a second medicament flow, a first fluid pressure is effectuated in the chamber when the first medicament is provided and a second fluid pressure having a different value from the first fluid pressure is effectuated when the second medicament is provided, thereby a fluid pressure change is effectuate due to a change between the provision of the first medicament and the second medicament. The sub-assembly further includes a shuttle arranged in the chamber and connected to the tubing set. The shuttle is configured to move transversally between a first position and a second position within the chamber when the fluid pressure change within the chamber exceeds a predetermined level.