Spring-Assisted Injection Device with Speed Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical injection devices, particularly spring-assisted types, face challenges in ensuring accurate dose delivery and proper needle retraction timing, leading to potential medication leakage and patient inconvenience due to limited mechanical feedback and fixed waiting time schemes.
Innovation Solution
A manual injection device equipped with a spring means, a drive member, a sensor, and a circuit that monitors positional and speed data to detect abnormal conditions and alert the user, while also calculating a variable needle retraction waiting period based on injection speed, thereby improving dose accuracy and minimizing waiting time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a fixed waiting time scheme is used for needle retraction, then the device structure is simple, but the patient may experience medication leakage and the waiting time cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed waiting time scheme to a variable waiting time calculation based on actual injection parameters. The system dynamically determines the waiting period by measuring injection speed and calculating the required time for medication dispersion, allowing the waiting time to adapt to different injection conditions rather than using a static predetermined value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to monitor injection parameters (such as injection speed) and using this information to calculate and determine the appropriate waiting time for needle retraction. The system continuously monitors the injection process and adjusts the waiting period based on real-time measurements, ensuring optimal medication dispersion before needle removal.
2Speed
If spring-assisted injection devices are used, then the injection speed is fast, but the mechanical perceptive feedback is limited making it difficult to detect abnormal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the limited mechanical perceptive feedback system with an electronic sensor-based detection system. Instead of relying on mechanical feedback that is difficult to perceive in spring-assisted devices, the invention uses sensors to electronically monitor injection parameters, detect abnormal conditions, and provide alerts to the patient, thereby substituting mechanical feedback with an electronic sensing and signaling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system consisting of sensors and processing circuitry that mediates between the spring-assisted injection mechanism and the patient. This intermediary system captures injection parameters, processes the data to detect abnormalities, and communicates status to the patient through appropriate signals, bridging the gap between the fast spring-assisted mechanism and the need for abnormal condition detection.
3Reliability
If additional sensors and monitoring circuitry are added to detect abnormal conditions, then the detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing sensors and processing circuitry that serve multiple functions: monitoring injection speed, detecting abnormal conditions (such as blocked needles or improper priming), calculating variable waiting times, and providing patient alerts. This multi-functional approach allows the same components to perform several tasks, improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of injection monitoring, abnormal condition detection, waiting time calculation, and patient notification into an integrated system. By combining these functions into a unified electronic monitoring and control system, the patent reduces the overall complexity that would result from having separate independent systems for each function, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
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 reduces the risk of incorrect dose delivery, enhances user guidance for needle retraction, and minimizes patient inconvenience by providing real-time feedback and adjusting waiting periods based on injection parameters, ensuring accurate medication delivery and reducing the risk of premature needle withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
a spring means configured for storing energy during a pre-injection procedure, a drive member advanceable to move the plunger of the reservoir towards the expelling end of the reservoir, wherein the drive member is forced during an injection procedure by the spring means when mechanical energy previously stored in said spring means is released
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medical injection device (1) for use in combination with a medicament filled cartridge (2), the injection device being provided with a spring-assisted injecting mechanism where energy released from the spring moves a plunger (3) of a held cartridge (2). Sensor circuitry is adapted to detect speed related data during injection so at to detect an abnormal speed condition, such as a needle blocking condition, a priming condition or an air purge condition. The invention also relates to a medical injection device comprising sensor circuitry and user communicating means to provide a recommended needle retraction waiting period which is dependent on the speed of injection.