Auto-Penetration Injector Rotator for Compact Needle Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medicament delivery devices with auto-penetration functionality are often bulky due to their complex triple-layer configurations, such as actuator sleeves and plunger holders, which hinder compact design and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A medicament delivery device utilizing a rotator mechanism with fewer layers, where a delivery member cover causes the rotator to rotate from a first to a second position, allowing axial movement of the plunger rod and medicament container housing via engagement structures and guide tracks, eliminating the need for a triple-layer configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a triple-layer configuration (actuator sleeve, actuator holder, plunger holder) is used to provide auto-penetration functionality, then the medicament delivery device can achieve automatic needle insertion, but the device becomes bulky and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauto-penetration functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The rotator component integrates the functions of the actuator sleeve, actuator holder, and plunger holder from prior art into a single unified structure. The delivery member cover directly engages with the rotator, eliminating the need for intermediate holders and sleeves, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining auto-penetration capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested arrangement where the rotator is received within the delivery member cover, and the plunger rod extends through the rotator. This nested configuration allows multiple functional elements to be compactly arranged within each other, reducing the overall device footprint and complexity while preserving the automatic penetration function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Extent of automation

If a triple-layer configuration (actuator sleeve, actuator holder, plunger holder) is used to provide auto-penetration functionality, then the medicament delivery device can achieve automatic needle insertion, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauto-penetration functionalityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the actuator sleeve, actuator holder, and plunger holder into a single rotator component, significantly reducing the number of discrete parts and the overall volume required for the auto-penetration mechanism. This consolidation allows the device to maintain automatic needle insertion capability with a more compact structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a linear triple-layer arrangement to a rotational mechanism where the rotator rotates about an axis. This dimensional change from linear displacement to rotational motion allows for more compact packaging of the mechanism, reducing the device's overall volume while maintaining the auto-penetration function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If fewer layers and a rotator mechanism are used, then the device becomes more compact, but the mechanism for transforming linear motion to rotational motion must be efficiently designed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidengagement structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a rotator with a circumferential engagement surface that interacts with a guide track. The curved geometry of the rotator and its engagement structures naturally transform the linear motion of the delivery member cover into rotational motion of the rotator, providing an elegant mechanical solution that is both compact and relatively simple in design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 results in a more compact and efficient auto-penetration functionality, enabling smoother operation and reduced bulkiness while maintaining effective medicament delivery.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member arranged in the housing and configured to forward-bias the delivery member cover and the plunger rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4058103B1Medicament delivery device
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 SHL MEDICAL AG
  • EP4058103B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4058103B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4058103B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A medicament delivery device (1) comprising: a housing (3) having an inner surface structure, a delivery member cover (7) slidably arranged in the housing (3), a medicament container housing (10) arranged in the housing (3), a rotator (11) configured to cooperate with the inner surface structure, the rotator (11) being in axial engagement with the medicament container housing (10), wherein the delivery member cover (7) is configured to be moved axially from an extended position relative to the housing (3) to a retracted position, thereby causing the rotator (11) to rotate from a first rotator position to a second rotator position, a forward-biased plunger rod (13) extending through the rotator (11) and having a first axial engagement position with the rotator (11) when the rotator (11) is in the first rotator position and in the second rotator position, wherein the rotator (11) has an engagement structure configured to engage with the inner surface structure when the rotator (11) is in the first rotator position to prevent forward movement of the rotator (11), and wherein the rotator (11) is configured to disengage from the inner surface structure when the rotator (11) is rotated from the first rotator position towards the second rotator position, causing the rotator (11), the plunger rod (13) and the medicament container housing (10) to move forward an auto-penetration distance in the housing (3).