Gas-Powered Auto-Injector Drive Module Pneumatic Plunger Actuation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing auto-injectors struggle to deliver viscous agents effectively due to insufficient force, often resulting in noise, pressure spikes, and discomfort for the user, especially when administering injections themselves.

Innovation Solution

A gas-powered auto-injector device with a drive module that includes a puncture mechanism, a pressurized gas canister, and a plunger system, where the puncture mechanism penetrates a septum to release gas, which flows through an intermediate passage and into a second chamber, causing the plunger to extend and deliver the agent through a needle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If spring-powered systems are used to deliver viscous agents, then the injection force can be sufficient, but the device creates substantial noise, pressure spikes, vibration, and user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection forceVSAvoidnoise and user discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the spring-powered mechanical system with a pneumatic system that uses compressed gas (stored in a canister) to drive the plunger. The gas expands to provide the injection force, eliminating the mechanical impact and vibration associated with spring release while maintaining sufficient force for delivering viscous agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy storage parameter from elastic potential energy (spring) to compressed gas pressure (pneumatic). This parameter change allows for a smoother, more controlled force application that reduces noise and vibration while maintaining the necessary injection force for viscous medications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If high-mass springs are used to generate sufficient force for viscous fluids, then the injection force is adequate, but the device becomes heavier and creates more noise and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection forceVSAvoidspring mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the heavy spring mechanism with a lightweight compressed gas canister and pneumatic drive system. The gas expansion provides the necessary force without requiring high-mass components, thereby reducing the overall weight of the moving parts while maintaining adequate injection force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Device complexity

If spring-powered auto-injectors are used, then the device structure is simple, but the needle is driven forcefully into the skin causing pain and user startle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpain and user startle

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic system provides a controlled, gradual expansion of gas that smoothly accelerates the plunger and needle assembly. This eliminates the sudden, forceful impact of spring release, reducing pain and user startle while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Volume of moving object

If spring-powered systems are used, then the device can be compact, but pressure spikes occur leading to glass breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidpressure spikes

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Compressed gas expands in a controlled manner, providing gradual pressure increase rather than the sudden pressure spike generated by spring release. This controlled pressure application eliminates the risk of glass breakage while maintaining a compact device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 device provides a controlled and consistent force for delivering viscous agents, reducing noise and discomfort, and allowing for precise administration of medications, even by untrained users.

Implementation Method 1

the puncture pin to penetrate the septum and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, through the intermediate passage, and into the second chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 2

as pressurized gas is delivered to the driver, the driver exerts at least an injection force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3703792B1Injection devices and methods for making them

Publication Date: 2023.10.11 ALTAVIZ LLC

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module (10) and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module (10) includes a canister (40) and puncture mechanism (30) in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin (34) thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module (60) includes a piston (70) slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.