Injector Two-Stage Energy Delivery for Viscosity-Resilient Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injectors face challenges in balancing the duration and force of spring-based medication delivery to accommodate varying viscosities of medications, which can lead to discomfort or complications, especially with changes in viscosity over time or temperature.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage energy system is employed in the injector, where the first stage decreases force near the end of delivery, and the second stage activates before the first stage ends, ensuring consistent and accurate dosage by maintaining required force throughout the injection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-stage spring-based energy source is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force delivery becomes inconsistent especially with changing medication viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The single energy source is divided into two distinct stages: a first energy source that delivers initial force and a second energy source that activates later to maintain force delivery. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for specific phases of medication delivery, ensuring consistent force despite viscosity changes while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates the second energy source based on the delivery status of the first energy source. The second energy source is configured to activate after a predetermined time interval or when the first energy source is substantially depleted, allowing the system to adapt force delivery in real-time according to medication viscosity and delivery progress.
2Productivity
If the spring force is increased to maintain delivery rate, then the productivity is improved, but the discomfort and complications increase due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The energy delivery is divided into periodic stages: the first energy source provides initial force for rapid delivery, then the second energy source activates to maintain delivery rate. This periodic action pattern allows high productivity during the first stage while limiting peak force to acceptable levels, preventing user discomfort and tissue complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy delivery parameters by introducing a second energy source with different force characteristics. The second energy source is configured to activate when the first energy source is depleted, maintaining the overall delivery rate while using lower, more sustainable force levels that prevent discomfort and complications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the injection time is extended to accommodate viscosity changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first energy source is configured to deliver medication rapidly during the initial phase, completing a significant portion of the injection before viscosity changes become problematic. This preliminary action reduces the overall injection time while the second energy source then activates to handle any remaining medication, accommodating viscosity variations without significant time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The second energy source is designed to activate automatically when the first energy source is depleted, ensuring continuous medication delivery without interruption. This continuity maintains adaptability to viscosity changes while minimizing idle time, as the transition between energy sources is seamless and maintains the injection process without significant pauses.
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 two-stage energy system enhances the reliability and safety of medication delivery by maintaining consistent force and rate, improving user comfort and ensuring accurate dosage delivery.
Implementation Method 1
an energy system having a first energy source and a second energy source... the first energy source is configured to be activated before the second energy source... the first energy source engages the housing and the first ram
Implementation Method 2
the second energy source engages the first ram and the second ram... the second energy source urges the second ram distally along the longitudinal axis relative to the medicament container
Data Source
AI summary
An injector includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis, the housing has a proximal end and a distal end. A medicament container defines a volume therein. A needle is coupled to and extending from a distal end of the medicament container. An energy system has a first energy source and a second energy source. The first energy source is configured to be activated before the second energy source.