Injection Device Rotating Dose Indicator Gauge Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices require high user dispensing forces and lack effective dose indication, particularly for visually impaired users, and often have components translating out of the housing during dose setting, making them cumbersome and difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A compact injection device with a housing, a rotatable dose indicator, and a gauge element that provides axial displacement and visibility of the set dose through apertures, reducing user force requirements and enhancing dose indication without translational movement of the dose indicator during setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a dose indicator translates axially during dose setting, then the dose indication is visible, but the device becomes cumbersome and components may translate out of the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the dose indication mechanism from axial translation to rotation. The dose indicator rotates within the housing to display different dose values through a window, eliminating axial movement while maintaining visibility. This dimensional change from linear to rotational motion resolves the contradiction between visibility and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dose indicator is nested within the housing and rotates in place rather than translating outward. The indicator is contained within the housing boundaries throughout operation, with only rotational movement allowed. This nesting approach ensures components remain within the housing while still providing visible dose indication.
2Device complexity
If manual force is applied for dose dispensing, then the device structure is simple, but high user dispensing forces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded during the dose setting phase, storing mechanical energy before dispensing is needed. When the user activates dispensing, the pre-loaded spring releases its stored energy to provide the necessary dispensing force, reducing the force the user must apply. This preliminary energy storage resolves the contradiction between simple structure and low user force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides self-service by automatically generating the dispensing force needed to eject the dose. Once the spring is loaded during dose setting, it autonomously provides the force required for dispensing without requiring continuous user effort. This self-service capability reduces the burden on the user while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
3Loss of information
If the dose indicator is visible through apertures, then dose indication is clear, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the window aperture for dose indication, and may incorporate additional dosing information display. By combining multiple functions into a single component, the patent achieves clear dose indication without proportionally increasing device complexity. The same structural element serves both mechanical and informational purposes.
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 requires low user dispensing forces and provides clear, intuitive dose indication, improving usability for both visually impaired and dexterous users by maintaining a compact form factor and preventing components from translating out of the housing during dose setting.
Implementation Method 1
The gauge element is axially guided within the housing and in threaded engagement with the dose indicator such that rotation of the dose indicator causes an axial displacement of the gauge element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention refers to an injection device comprising a housing (10) having a first aperture (11) or window, a dose indicator (120) positioned within the housing (10) and rotatable with respect to the housing (10) during dose setting and during dose dispensing, and a gauge element (110), which is interposed between the housing (10) and the dose indicator (120). The gauge element (110) has a second aperture (111) or window, which is positioned with respect to the first aperture (11) or window of the housing (10) such that at least a part of the dose indicator (120) is visible through the first and second apertures (11, 111) or windows- Further, the gauge element (110) is axially guided within the housing (10) and in threaded engagement with the dose indicator (120) such that rotation of the dose indicator (120) causes an axial displacement of the gauge element (110). The injection device further comprises a resilient member (90) adapted to provide a force necessary for ejecting a dose from the injection device.