Injection Device Key Trigger Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection devices, particularly large volume bolus injectors, are prone to accidental triggering during the pre-injection phase, which can lead to improper medicament delivery and safety issues due to unintentional operation.

Innovation Solution

An injection device with a cavity that receives a key device, featuring a sensing arrangement to detect the key's presence, which triggers the needle insertion and medicament delivery only when the key is correctly inserted, preventing accidental operation and ensuring secure activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional button or switch trigger is used, then the device is easy to operate, but the device is prone to accidental triggering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental triggeringVSAvoidsimplicity of activation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A key device is introduced as an intermediary element between the user and the injection mechanism. The key must be inserted into a receptacle to complete an electrical circuit or release a mechanical latch, thereby preventing direct accidental activation while maintaining intentional control. This mediator ensures that only deliberate actions with the key can trigger the injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The key insertion step is required before the injection can be triggered. This preliminary action of inserting the key into the receptacle establishes a preparatory condition that must be met before the main function (injection) can occur, thereby preventing accidental triggering during the pre-injection phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a key device with retention mechanism is used, then accidental operation is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against inadvertent activationVSAvoidstructure of cavity and retention mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The key device serves as a simple intermediary component that can be retained in the receptacle through straightforward mechanisms such as friction fit, snap-fit, or simple mechanical latches. These retention mechanisms are designed to be as simple as possible while still preventing accidental removal or activation, thereby balancing security with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention mechanism is designed to automatically engage and hold the key in place without requiring additional active components or complex control systems. The key itself may have features that enable self-retention, such as a shape that creates friction fit or engages with simple spring-loaded detents in the receptacle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3193972B1Injection devices triggered by mechanical key
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 SANOFI SA(FR)
  • EP3193972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3193972B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3193972B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An injection device (100) comprises: a needle insertion mechanism (111); a medicament delivery arrangement (123) configured to cause injection of a medicament into a patient; and a cavity (102) having an opening (103) for receiving a key device (104). The injection device is configured to respond to detecting the presence of the key device in the cavity by triggering operation of the injection device. The specification also provides a method of controlling an injection device (100) including a needle insertion mechanism (111); a medicament delivery arrangement (123) configured to cause injection of a medicament into a patient; and a cavity (102) having an opening (103) for receiving a key device (104), the method comprising: responding to detecting the presence of the key device in the cavity by triggering operation of the injection device.