Hydraulic Trigger Mechanism for Single-Actuation Drug Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices for administering liquid medicaments are often complex, difficult to use, and require multiple steps, making them unsuitable for untrained users and costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A device with a collapsible reservoir and a shield mechanism that uses hydraulic leverage to maintain pressure and simplify the injection process, allowing for a single actuation gesture to insert the needle and deliver the medication, reducing the need for additional trigger mechanisms and enhancing safety and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a complex trigger and dosing mechanism is used to achieve automatic triggering of the dosing step, then the injection can be performed automatically, but the device becomes bulky and expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex trigger mechanism from the device by extracting the essential function of triggering the dosing step. Instead of using a complex mechanical trigger, the invention uses a simple collapsible reservoir that automatically collapses when the needle is inserted, thereby automatically triggering the dosing step without requiring additional mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible reservoir performs the dosing function automatically without requiring external triggering. The reservoir self-collapses when the needle is inserted into it, and this automatic collapse triggers the dosing step. The system serves itself by using the insertion action to automatically initiate the injection process.
2Reliability
If a complex mechanism with multiple distinct steps is used for needle insertion and dosing actuation, then the injection process can be controlled precisely, but the device becomes difficult to use for untrained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the needle insertion step and the dosing actuation step into a single action. When the user inserts the needle into the collapsible reservoir, both actions occur simultaneously: the needle insertion triggers the reservoir to collapse, which automatically initiates the dosing step. This eliminates the need for multiple distinct steps and simplifies operation for untrained personnel while maintaining reliable precise control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional retaining means are added to hold the reservoir against the bias force, then the reservoir can be maintained in the extended state, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic principles to maintain the reservoir in the extended state. A piston with a larger cross-sectional area than the needle creates hydraulic pressure that counteracts the bias force. The hydraulic system uses the pressure differential created by the piston to hold the reservoir extended without requiring additional mechanical retaining means, thereby maintaining stability while avoiding increased 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 device provides a reliable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective means for administering liquid medicaments with a simplified mechanical design, compact form factor, and reduced production costs, suitable for untrained users, while ensuring safety and precise dosing.
Implementation Method 1
the reservoir is biased towards the collapsed state, causing a hydrostatic pressure in the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the shield portion is adapted to move in response to an actuation force from the deployed position to a retracted position where the lumen of the needle is open, thereby causing the reservoir to shift to the collapsed state by expelling the liquid through the needle
Data Source
AI summary
A device for administering a fluid medicament by injection comprises a dosing portion (1) with a collapsible reservoir (10). The reservoir (10) has a maximum volume in an extended state and a minimum volume in a collapsed state. Prior to injection, the reservoir (10) is in the extended state and contains a liquid to be administered, and the reservoir (10) is biased towards the collapsed state. The device further comprises a needle (2), wherein a lumen (20) of the needle (2) is in fluid communication with the reservoir (10). The device further comprises a shield portion (3) with a plug (30). Prior to injection, the shield portion (3) is in a deployed position where the plug (30) blocks the lumen (20) of the needle (2). The shield portion (3) is adapted to move in response to an actuation force from the deployed position to a retracted position where the lumen (20) of the needle (2) is open, thereby causing the reservoir (10) to shift to the collapsed state to expel the liquid through the needle.