Medicament Injector Interchangeable Cartridge Valve Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medicament delivery methods are cumbersome, requiring multiple components and steps, leading to time delays and operational errors, especially in non-hospital settings where reduced bulk, versatility, and ease of use are critical.

Innovation Solution

A medicament injector with an interchangeable cartridge system that includes a valve mechanism, allowing the cartridge to switch from a pre-injection mode to an injection mode upon insertion, ensuring secure engagement and preventing removal until used, thereby simplifying the delivery process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional medicament delivery methods are used, then multiple components and steps are required, but this leads to increased complexity and time delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge integrates multiple functions into a single component: it contains the medicament reservoir, piston, sealing elements, and engagement features all in one integrated assembly that couples with the applicator, eliminating the need for separate components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge design with standardized engagement features allows it to be used with different applicator types while maintaining consistent delivery functionality, and the single-use design ensures reliability across various medicament types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional medicament delivery methods are used, then multiple steps are required, but this leads to increased time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery accuracyVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is pre-filled with the medicament and the piston is pre-positioned at the correct dose level during manufacturing, eliminating the need for manual preparation steps at the point of use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism combines insertion and sealing actions into a single motion, where the piston seal and cartridge engagement occur simultaneously during the coupling process, reducing the number of discrete steps required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the cartridge is designed for easy removal, then ease of use is improved, but this may compromise sterility and prevent accidental removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge removalVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement mechanism transitions from a locked state during use to a releasable state only after the medicament is delivered, dynamically adapting the retention strength based on the operational phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge is designed as a single-use disposable component that is discarded after one use, eliminating the need for complex reusable sealing mechanisms while ensuring sterility is maintained throughout the product lifecycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the injector is designed for versatility with interchangeable cartridges, then adaptability is improved, but this increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge compatibilityVSAvoidreceptacle mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator is designed with a universal receptacle that can accommodate different cartridge types through standardized engagement features, allowing one applicator to work with multiple cartridge variants without requiring complex switching mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the complex interchangeable component (cartridge) from the simple receiving component (applicator receptacle), concentrating the versatility requirements in the cartridge design while keeping the applicator relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230372621A1Medicament injector and interchangeable cartridges therefor

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 DIFINITY SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a medicament injector including an applicator with a cartridge-accepting receptacle. The medicament injector includes interchangeable, pre-filled medicament-containing cartridges. Each cartridge includes at least one barrier member having a closed position in which access to the medicament is inhibited. The barrier member is moveable from the closed position to an open position, in which the medicament is accessible via the applicator, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge-accepting receptacle. The barrier member moves back to the closed position when the cartridge is removed from the cartridge-accepting receptacle. This allows for a plurality of pre-filled medicament cartridges to be selected on demand via a need-based scenario for quick assembly with the medicament injector for use in various clinical scenarios to reduce the bulk, errors, complexity, and steps in medicament delivery while increasing the versatility, safety, and speed of medicament delivery in time critical situations.