Implant Injector Plunger Clip for Accurate Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implant injectors face issues with incorrect deployment, moisture sensitivity, assembly errors, and errors in deploying implants due to unintentional actuation, leading to potential harm and reduced efficacy.
Innovation Solution
The implant injector device is designed with a two-part assembly where the implant-containing assembly is conditioned to remove moisture, and a biocompatible tip prevents moisture ingress, while a plunger clip and living hinge mechanism ensure accurate deployment with a threshold force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the implant is deployed using conventional injectors, then the deployment process is simple, but incorrect deployment locations occur causing harm to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The injector device is divided into multiple functional components: a body housing, a plunger assembly, a needle assembly with hub and shaft, and a cowl. Each component has a specific function that contributes to overall deployment accuracy while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cowl acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the needle assembly and the target tissue. It provides a controlled interface for implant deployment, ensuring accurate placement while protecting surrounding tissues from direct needle contact.
2Reliability
If the implant is stored in the injector without moisture protection, then the injector structure is simple, but the implant absorbs moisture causing degradation and expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl cap is designed to be removable, allowing the implant to be loaded into the needle shaft in a controlled environment and then sealed. This extraction approach enables moisture protection without requiring the entire injector to be hermetically sealed, balancing protection needs with structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cowl and cowl cap form a protective enclosure around the needle assembly, creating a barrier against moisture ingress. This shell structure provides effective moisture protection while maintaining a compact and simple overall device design.
3Reliability
If the plunger can be actuated freely, then the operation is simple, but unintentional actuation causes deployment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger clip is designed to prevent plunger movement before intentional actuation. This preliminary restraint mechanism blocks unintentional actuation while allowing controlled movement when the clip is removed, ensuring deployment precision without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger assembly transitions from a restrained state (when the clip is attached) to an actuable state (when the clip is removed). This dynamic design allows the device to adapt its operational characteristics based on the assembly stage, providing both protection against errors and ease of use.
4Reliability
If the implant is loaded into the injector manually, then the assembly process is simple, but assembly errors occur leading to incorrect deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The needle hub and cowl feature asymmetric engagement surfaces and positioning elements that guide correct assembly orientation. This asymmetric design prevents incorrect assembly configurations while maintaining a straightforward assembly process, improving assembly accuracy without significantly increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a body forming a first interior volume, a plunger comprising a first distal end disposed within the first interior volume, a wire comprising a first distal end secured to the first distal end of the plunger, and a plunger clip configured to interface with the plunger and the body to prevent actuation of the plunger. The second assembly includes a cowl forming a second interior volume, a needle comprising a hub and a shaft, and a cowl cap disposed partially within the hub to secure the implant in the shaft. A first distal end of the shaft is connected to the hub. The hub is disposed within the second interior volume. The shaft is configured to receive an implant.