Injection Device Cap With Deformable Engagement Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection devices face challenges in maintaining the sterility of the injection needle and medicament during assembly and handling, particularly when inserting the pre-filled syringe into the device or during transportation, which can lead to accidental removal of the needle shield cap.

Innovation Solution

The injection device incorporates a cap with engagement elements that deform to engage with the needle shield cap, allowing it to be safely removed without compromising sterility. The engagement elements are designed to remain spaced apart during assembly and storage to minimize forces on the needle shield cap, ensuring its integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If engagement elements are designed to always engage with the needle shield cap, then the needle shield cap is securely held, but the sterility of the injection needle and medicament is compromised during assembly and handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle shield cap retentionVSAvoidsterility compromise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement elements are designed to be movable between a first position (spaced apart from the needle shield cap) and a second position (engaged with the needle shield cap). This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt its state based on the operational phase: during assembly and storage, the elements remain spaced to prevent sterility compromise, while during use, they can engage to secure the needle shield cap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement elements are pre-positioned in a first position (spaced apart) before the needle shield cap is to be engaged. This preliminary positioning ensures that no unwanted forces are applied to the needle shield cap during the insertion of the pre-filled syringe into the injection device, thereby maintaining sterility until the moment of intentional engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If engagement elements are spaced apart during assembly, then sterility is maintained, but the needle shield cap may be accidentally removed during handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidneedle shield cap retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement elements transition from a spaced-apart configuration during assembly and storage to an engaged configuration during use. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain sterility during handling while providing secure retention when needed, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement elements are designed to prevent accidental removal of the needle shield cap by providing intentional engagement only when required. The spaced-apart design during assembly prevents premature engagement, while the subsequent engagement mechanism provides controlled retention, countering the harmful effect of accidental cap removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If engagement elements are designed to engage with the needle shield cap, then the cap is securely held, but forces are exerted on the needle shield cap during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle shield cap retentionVSAvoidforce on needle shield cap

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement elements are preliminarily positioned in a spaced-apart configuration before the pre-filled syringe is inserted into the injection device. This ensures that no forces are exerted on the needle shield cap during the assembly process. The elements only engage with the needle shield cap after the assembly is complete and the cap needs to be securely held.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution effectively prevents the accidental removal of the needle shield cap during assembly and handling, maintaining the sterility of the injection needle and medicament, and ensuring safe and reliable operation of the injection device.

Implementation Method 1

The engagement elements (4) are deformable in such a way that the engagement elements (4) can be brought into engagement with the needle shield cap (10a) when the cap (1) is removed from the injection device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12233249B2Injection device with a cap for removing a needle shield cap from a product container, and method for assembling such an injection device

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 YPSOMED AG

AI summary

Injection devices include a cap for removing a needle shield cap from a product container, and methods for assembling such injection devices, involve providing a cap that includes an engagement element for use in removing the needle shield cap from the product container when the cap is removed from the injection device.