Injection Device Warming With Conforming Bladders for Viscosity Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for warming drug formulations in injection devices are inefficient, costly, and can cause contamination or damage, particularly for formulations with high concentrations, and do not effectively address the discomfort and pain associated with high viscosity and aggregation during injection.

Innovation Solution

A warming device with a housing enclosure and deformable bladders that conform to different injection device geometries, using thermal conduction to uniformly heat the drug formulation to a desired temperature, equipped with sensors for temperature control and a latch for secure coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional heating methods (hot water, oven, microwave) are used to warm drug formulations, then the viscosity is reduced, but contamination, overheating, and damage to injection devices occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug formulation temperatureVSAvoidcontamination and overheating

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thermal intermediary system consisting of a heating element that heats a fluid medium, which then transfers heat through a container wall to the drug formulation. This intermediary fluid transfer mechanism prevents direct contact between the heating source and the drug, eliminating contamination risks while providing controlled, uniform heating that prevents overheating and device damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If different heating devices are used for different injection device geometries, then heating effectiveness is improved, but cost and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of heating devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal heating device with a configurable container that can accommodate various injection device geometries (syringes, autoinjectors, cartridges, ampoules). The container's flexible configuration allows a single heating device to effectively heat different types of injection devices, eliminating the need for multiple specialized heating devices while maintaining heating effectiveness across all formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If drug formulation temperature is increased to reduce viscosity, then injection comfort is improved, but wait time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection comfortVSAvoidwarming wait time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive thermal conduction (which would require 15-30 minutes for natural warming) with an active heating system that uses a heating element and fluid medium to rapidly transfer thermal energy to the injection device. This mechanical/active heating system reduces the warming time from half an hour or more to just a few minutes, dramatically improving efficiency while maintaining the viscosity-reducing temperature increase that enhances injection comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficiently reduces viscosity and aggregation of drug formulations, providing comfort and safety by uniformly heating formulations in various injection devices, reducing wait times and preventing overheating or contamination.

Implementation Method 1

using thermal conduction to uniformly heat the drug formulation to a desired temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The bladders contact a portion of the injection device and heat the drug formulation in the injection device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250222209A1Warming device and method

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Devices, kits, and methods for heating a drug formulation in an injection device are disclosed. An embodiment of the device includes a housing enclosure having a first housing shell and a second housing shell, and a plurality of bladders adjacent to an inner surface of the first housing shell and adjacent to an inner surface of the second housing shell. The housing enclosure is designed to receive the injection device. When an edge of the first housing shell and an edge of the second housing shell couple, the bladders contact a portion of the injection device and heat the drug formulation in the injection device. An embodiment of the kit includes this device and the injection device.