Hinged Coded Cartridge Cap for Drug Compatibility Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament reservoir systems lack mechanisms to prevent the use of incorrect cartridges, posing risks for patients, especially those with limited dexterity, due to the lack of verification for correct medicament type and concentration, and are vulnerable to tampering and counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
A segmented cap with a retention feature and coding mechanism is designed to secure cartridges within drug delivery devices, ensuring compatibility and preventing cross-use by utilizing a bead and neck configuration, along with a hinge and fastening mechanism, to ensure only authorized cartridges can be used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard sized cartridges are used to comply with manufacturing standards, then manufacturing ease and standardization are improved, but the risk of cross-use of incorrect cartridges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding unique coding features (such as colored rings, patterns, or physical codes) to specific locations on standardized cartridges. This allows each cartridge type to have distinctive local characteristics while maintaining overall standardization, enabling the delivery device to identify and accept only compatible cartridges through code verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coding mechanism that acts as a mediator between the standardized cartridge and the delivery device. This coding system (including visual codes, tactile features, or mechanical interfaces) verifies compatibility before allowing connection, preventing cross-use of incorrect cartridges while maintaining standardization benefits.
2Device complexity
If no verification mechanism is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but the risk of medication errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating verification mechanisms that check cartridge compatibility before the medication delivery process begins. The coding system verifies correct cartridge insertion upfront, preventing medication errors before they can occur, rather than detecting errors during or after administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by providing immediate visual or mechanical confirmation when a correct cartridge is inserted. The verification mechanism gives feedback to the user (such as visual indicators, audible signals, or mechanical locking) to confirm proper cartridge identification and compatibility, preventing incorrect medication administration.
3Ease of operation
If cartridges are made easily removable for patient convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but tampering and counterfeiting become more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing security features during the cartridge attachment process itself. The coding system and mechanical interface verify authenticity and compatibility before allowing the cartridge to be securely attached, preventing tampering and counterfeiting at the point of connection while maintaining ease of legitimate replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates disposable security elements (such as sealed caps, single-use coding features, or tamper-evident seals) that are destroyed or deactivated after first use. This ensures that each cartridge can only be legitimately attached once, preventing reuse, tampering, or counterfeiting while allowing easy initial attachment by authorized users.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A cap (200, 300, 400, 500) for a cartridge (120) having a bead at the distal end (130) is disclosed. The cap (200, 300, 400, 500) comprises: a main body (202, 301, 401, 501) having a proximal end (206, 310, 404, 508), a distal end (208, 308, 402, 510), and a bore (204, 406, 506) that receives the cartridge (120), the main body (202, 301, 401, 501) further comprising a first segment (209, 302, 408, 410, 505) and a second segment (210, 304); and a retention feature (218, 312, 408, 410, 514) on the main body (202, 301, 401, 501) suitable for snapping under the bead of the cartridge (120) for securing the cap (200, 300, 400, 500) to the cartridge (120).