Injector Activation Button Assembly with Threshold Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of self-operated injectors often mishandle the device due to lack of clear feedback on activation status, leading to improper use, incomplete needle deployment, and anxiety, as existing technologies lack visual and tactile differentiation between unactuated and actuated states, and do not ensure proper needle deployment upon activation.
Innovation Solution
An injector with a biasing member connected to the activation button assembly and injection needle, where the biasing member is in a stored energy state in the unactuated position and released in the actuated position to drive the needle from a retracted to an injection position, with visual and tactile differentiation between states to ensure proper activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no biasing member is connected with the activation button assembly and injection needle, then the device structure is simpler, but the activation button assembly cannot be reliably returned to unactuated position and needle deployment cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member enables the activation button assembly to automatically return to its unactuated position without user intervention. The system serves itself by using the biasing member to both deploy the needle when activated and automatically reset the button assembly afterward, eliminating the need for additional complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is pre-loaded in a compressed state during device assembly, storing elastic potential energy ready for needle deployment. This preliminary energy storage ensures that when the activation button is pressed beyond the threshold point, the stored energy is immediately released to drive needle deployment reliably
2Ease of operation
If no visual and tactile differentiation is provided between unactuated and actuated states, then the device is simpler, but user confusion and improper use increase
Solution Approach 1:
The activation button assembly incorporates a visual indicator that changes appearance between actuated and unactuated states. This color or visual change provides immediate feedback to the user about the device status, reducing confusion and preventing improper use without requiring complex electronic displays or additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The activation button assembly is divided into distinct functional segments including the button, indicator element, and actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while providing clear visual and tactile feedback, making the device easier to use without significantly increasing overall complexity
3Reliability
If the activation button assembly can be pressed partially but not fully, then user control is maintained, but incomplete needle deployment and user error occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates mechanical feedback through the threshold point mechanism that provides tactile feedback to the user. When the activation button is pressed beyond the threshold point, the user feels a distinct change in resistance or position, confirming that full activation has occurred and needle deployment will be complete, eliminating uncertainty about activation status
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the activation button assembly change at the threshold point, transitioning from a compliant state to a locked state. This parameter change in stiffness or positional stability ensures that partial presses do not trigger needle deployment, while full presses beyond the threshold point reliably activate the mechanism
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 solution provides clear and intuitive feedback on proper activation, ensuring the needle is only deployed upon correct activation, reducing user-induced errors and anxiety, and ensuring complete injection deployment.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member is connected with the activation button assembly and the injection needle. The biasing member is stabilized in a stored energy state in the unactuated position of the activation button assembly, and released in the actuated position of the activation button assembly into an energy releasing state to drive the injection needle along the needle axis from the retracted position thereof to the injection position thereof.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An injector includes an injection needle and an activation button assembly operatively connected to the injection needle. The activation button assembly is translatable from an unactuated position to an actuated position, the actuated position being visually different than the unactuated position. A position of the activation button assembly between the unactuated position thereof and the actuated position thereof defines a threshold point, and movement of the activation button assembly beyond the threshold point secures the activation button assembly in the actuated position, and drives the injection needle from a retracted position thereof to an injection position thereof.