Injector Safety Member With Trigger Blocking and Reuse Lockout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection devices are prone to accidental firing due to mishandling, which can result in dangerous high-pressure medicament expulsion or needle penetration, and many are designed for single-use without a locking mechanism to prevent unintended reuse.

Innovation Solution

The injector incorporates a safety member that restricts trigger movement, a retractable needle guard, and a locking mechanism to prevent accidental firing and repeated use, featuring a housing with a removable safety cap and a locking ring to secure the needle guard in the protecting position after use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a trigger mechanism with stored kinetic energy is used to drive injection, then injection power and speed are improved, but the risk of accidental firing during shipping or handling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection powerVSAvoidaccidental firing risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is designed to preemptively counteract accidental trigger activation by requiring a specific two-step action (depressing the trigger while simultaneously moving the safety member) to release the stored kinetic energy. This preliminary anti-action prevents unintended injection during shipping or handling while preserving the high power delivery when properly activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If a safety mechanism is added to prevent accidental firing, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental firing preventionVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety mechanism is merged with the existing trigger mechanism by integrating the safety member as a component that interacts with the trigger assembly. The safety member and latch work together as a unified system where the safety function is achieved through the combined action of existing parts rather than adding a completely separate safety subsystem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a locking mechanism is implemented to prevent repeated use, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-use preventionVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage in a preliminary action immediately after the injection cycle completes. The latch remains engaged with the trigger after use, and the safety member blocks further trigger depression, preventing repeated use without requiring additional user actions. The device must be completely disassembled or reset to be used again.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12623027B2Injector safety device

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 ANTARES PHARMA INC

AI summary

A safety member for use with an injection device is disclosed. The safety member includes a blocking ring extending into a housing of the injection device in blocking association with a latch member associated with a trigger mechanism of the injector, in which the blocking ring blocks movement of a portion of the trigger mechanism into a firing position. The safety member further includes a manipulable portion disposed outside the housing and configured for hand-manipulation by a user to remove the safety member from the housing to unblock the firing mechanism to enable firing of the injector.