Intradermal Drug Delivery Device Locked Post-Dispensing Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drug delivery devices face challenges in reducing discomfort and improving ease of handling and safety for medical professionals, with existing systems often requiring complex operations and lacking efficient locking mechanisms for secure post-dispensing configurations.

Innovation Solution

A fluid dispenser design featuring a barrel with a movable dispenser body that rotates to align with locking structures, incorporating a needle carrier, plunger, and fluid capsule carrier, with a latch interface that allows compressive force to release the plunger and fluid capsule carrier for dispensing, and a locking mechanism to secure the needle in a retracted position post-dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to secure the dispenser body post-dispensing, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: locking protrusions on the dispenser body, corresponding locking recesses in the barrel, and a rotation interface that enables angular movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism transitions from a static design to a dynamic one, where the dispenser body can rotate angularly relative to the barrel to engage or disengage locking protrusions with locking recesses. This dynamic engagement provides secure locking while allowing controlled movement during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the dispenser body is made movable and rotatable, then ease of operation is improved, but control and precision are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontrol
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation interface enables the dispenser body to self-align and engage with the barrel through controlled angular movement. The mechanism automatically positions locking protrusions into locking recesses during the rotation process, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with a simpler rotation interface that uses angular movement to achieve proper positioning. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining control precision through the inherent geometry of the locking protrusions and recesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a latch interface with compressive force is used to release the plunger, then dispensing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch interface is pre-configured in the barrel to engage with the plunger assembly before dispensing occurs. The compressive force mechanism is preliminarily set up to automatically release the plunger when the dispenser body rotates into the dispensing position, eliminating the need for separate release mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The latch interface acts as an intermediary between the dispenser body rotation and plunger release. It translates the rotational movement into linear motion that triggers the compressive force release mechanism, providing reliable dispensing control while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the needle carrier and fluid capsule carrier are separated into independent movable components, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle carrier and fluid capsule carrier are segmented into independent movable components, each capable of autonomous movement within the dispenser body. This segmentation allows the needle to be independently positioned and the fluid capsule to be separately loaded and dispensed, enhancing system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The independent movable carriers are designed with universal interfaces that can accommodate different needle types and fluid capsule configurations. This multi-functionality allows the same basic structure to handle various dispensing requirements without requiring complete redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3585461B1Intradermal drug delivery device having a locked post-dispensing configuration
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 PKA SOFTTOUCH CORP
  • EP3585461B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3585461B1 patent drawingFigure 5~10
  • EP3585461B1 patent drawingFigure 11~13

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a fluid dispenser comprising a barrel defining a longitudinal axis terminating at a first fluid delivery end region; a body movable along the barrel relative to the first fluid delivery end region, the body including a needle carrier, a plunger and a capsule carrier therebetween, a latch interface between the body and the barrel and responsive to a release force therebetween caused by compressive engagement of the barrel at a fluid delivery site on a patient, to enable travel of the plunger and capsule carrier toward the needle carrier, to a dispensing configuration in which an upstream end of the needle pierces the capsule and projects form the first fluid delivery end region to deliver a fluid to the fluid delivery site.