Injection Pen Indicator Member Visibility Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Many medication injection pen devices lack clear indication to users that a set dose has been completely administered, leading to potential incomplete injections.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a movable indicator member that changes visibility to signal when the dose set knob returns to its initial position, providing both visual and audible confirmation of dose completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no indication mechanism is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot know when the dose is completely administered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedose administration completenessVSAvoidindicator mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator member changes its visibility state (from visible to non-visible) to indicate different dose administration states. This visual feedback mechanism provides clear indication to the user without requiring complex electronic or mechanical systems, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If the user presses the button continuously to ensure complete injection, then the dose administration is reliable, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedose administration completenessVSAvoidbutton pressing operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator member provides real-time visual feedback to the user during the injection process. When the indicator is visible, the user knows the dose is being administered; when it becomes non-visible, the user knows the dose is complete. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for continuous button pressing and allows the user to release the button at the appropriate time, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3964251A1End of injection indicator for injection pen
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 BECTON DICKINSON & CO
  • EP3964251A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964251A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3964251A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A medication injection pen (50) includes a housing (1) and a dose set knob (2) rotatably connected to the housing (1) for setting a dose. An indicator member (200) is movable between a visible position indicating a zero position of the dose set knob (2) and a non-visible position indicating a non-zero position of the dose set knob (2). The indicator member is visible to a user in the visible position and not visible to the user in the non-visible position. The dose set knob is in the zero position when a set dose has been completely administered. Accordingly, a visible indication is provided to the user when a set dose has been completely administered.