Ergonomic Grip Sleeve for Pen-Type Drug Injection Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with impaired dexterity face difficulties in operating standard drug delivery devices due to the size and design of dose dial members and gripping features, leading to potential misuse and risk of over- or under-dosing.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic attachment system for drug delivery devices, featuring a gripping sleeve member that engages torque-proof with the device, providing improved mechanical advantage and ease of use, including a torque limiting mechanism to prevent damage from excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the dose dial member and gripping features are made compact for portability, then the device is more portable, but patients with impaired dexterity cannot operate it
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment comprises a gripping sleeve member that receives and surrounds the dose dial member, creating a nested structure where the larger gripping surface envelops the compact original component. This allows the device to maintain its compact form factor while providing an enlarged operational interface that patients with impaired dexterity can easily grasp and manipulate.
2Ease of operation
If the gripping features are enlarged to improve ease of operation, then patients with impaired dexterity can operate the device, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping sleeve member is designed to be detachably attachable to the dose dial member, allowing the device to dynamically change its gripping surface characteristics. When the attachment is engaged, it provides an enlarged gripping surface; when detached, the device returns to its original compact size. This dynamic configuration enables the device to adapt to different operational needs without permanently increasing its size.
3Force
If the attachment provides a large gripping surface, then mechanical advantage is improved, but the risk of excessive force application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment incorporates a torque limiting mechanism that预先 (in advance) prevents excessive force from being transmitted to the dose dial member. This mechanism acts as a protective buffer, allowing patients to apply force confidently through the large gripping surface while the torque limiting mechanism ensures that the force never exceeds safe thresholds, thereby cushioning against potential damage before it can occur.
4Measurement precision
If the device is designed for precision dosing, then dosing accuracy is improved, but the operating complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping sleeve member acts as an intermediary between the patient's hand and the precision dose dial member. It transmits rotational motion from the patient's grip to the dose dial member while maintaining the precision of the underlying mechanism. The attachment simplifies the interaction by providing a larger, easier-to-grasp interface without requiring the patient to directly manipulate the complex precision components, thereby maintaining dosing accuracy while reducing operating 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
The attachment system enables comfortable and accurate operation of drug delivery devices for patients with impaired dexterity, reducing the risk of misuse and ensuring precise dosing.
Implementation Method 1
the first gripping sleeve member part comprises a first engagement feature at its inner surface that is configured to engage the first member in a torque-proof manner
Implementation Method 2
The attachment comprises a torque limiting mechanism defining a maximum allowed torque
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns an attachment (2) for a pen-type drug injection device (1) to improve ergonomics and handling of the injection device for persons with impaired dexterity, comprising a gripping sleeve member (5) that is configured to receive a dose dial (6) of the drug injection device (1), wherein the gripping sleeve member (5) comprises a first gripping sleeve member part (9) comprising a first engagement feature (32) at its inner surface that is configured to engage the first gripping sleeve member part (9) in a torque-proof manner with the dose dial (6) of the drug injection device (1). The gripping sleeve can be used to both set the dose via rotation as well as to hold the injection device and press it against the injection site for performing the administration of a drug. A torque limiting mechanism in form of a spring-biased slip clutch is provided in order to avoid damage to the dose setting mechanism.