Folding Finger Pad for Medication Delivery Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medication delivery devices, such as syringes and pen-type devices, often pose handling difficulties for users with large hands or movement disorders due to small finger pads, and require inconvenient manual assembly of accessories for improved handling.

Innovation Solution

A medication delivery device with folding finger pads that can be moved from a hinged position for storage and transportation to a second position for use, providing improved grip and preventing sliding movement, integrated into the manufacturing process of conventional devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the flange is relatively small to maintain device compactness, then the device size is reduced, but the syringe becomes difficult to handle for users with large hands or movement disorders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The finger pad is designed as a movable component that can transition between a first position (flush with the outside wall) and a second position (extended outward). This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt its handling characteristics - compact during storage and expanded during use - resolving the contradiction between small size and ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The finger pad is separated from the main body as a distinct movable component connected via a hinge. This segmentation allows the finger pad to be positioned independently - retracted when not needed and extended when needed - enabling the device to maintain compact size while providing enhanced handling when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a separate accessory is supplied to improve handling, then handling comfort is improved, but the device requires manual assembly which is inconvenient and difficult for users with large hands or movement disorders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling comfortVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The finger pad functionality that was previously provided by a separate accessory is now integrated directly into the device structure. The finger pad is connected to the outside wall via a hinge, combining the benefits of an extended finger pad with the simplicity of a single-device construction, eliminating the need for separate accessories and their complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device provides its own handling enhancement feature (the extendable finger pad) as an integral part of its structure. Users do not need to attach separate accessories - the finger pad is already attached via a hinge and can be easily positioned by the user themselves, making the device self-sufficient and eliminating complex assembly requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the finger pad is extended outward to improve grip, then handling comfort is improved, but the device occupies more space during storage and transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip comfortVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The finger pad transitions dynamically between retracted and extended positions. During storage and transportation, the finger pad is positioned flush with the outside wall, minimizing the device volume. During use, the finger pad can be extended outward to provide improved grip comfort, thus resolving the space-handling contradiction through dynamic reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the finger pad as a movable component connected via hinge, the design allows the finger pad to be positioned independently. When retracted, the device maintains a compact form factor for storage. When extended, the finger pad provides enhanced grip without permanently increasing the device's storage volume, as the extended position is only occupied during actual use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2403564B1Medication delivery device with foldable finger pad
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 SANOFI AVENTIS DEUT GMBH
  • EP2403564B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2403564B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Medication delivery device: a medication delivery device is configured to deliver medication when a button element (3) is moved, the medication delivery device having a folding finger pad (4).