Intravitreal Injection Actuation for Precise Spring-Driven Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing administration devices for intravitreal fluid delivery are complex, prone to misapplication, misuse, contamination, incorrect dosing, and air bubble inclusion, and require intricate manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A user-friendly, intuitive administration device with a mechanical actuation mechanism that includes a rack, a compressed drive spring, and a two-part actuation system, allowing semi-manual priming and dosing, minimizing the risk of misapplication and ensuring precise dosing by utilizing a leadscrew and indicator system for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing administration devices are designed with complex mechanisms to ensure precise dosing, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a self-actuating mechanism where a compressed spring automatically pushes the plunger to deliver the fluid dose once the syringe is inserted into the eye. The user simply needs to insert the syringe and activate the release mechanism, and the system automatically completes the injection without requiring complex manual control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electronic or mechanical control systems with a simple mechanical spring-based actuation mechanism. The compressed spring stores energy and automatically delivers the fluid, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls, motors, or sophisticated mechanical linkages while maintaining precise dosing.

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

2Productivity

If existing administration devices use automated mechanisms to deliver fluid, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a syringe container for holding the fluid, a compressed spring mechanism for actuation, a release mechanism for user activation, and an injection needle for delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining automated delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring is pre-compressed during manufacturing to store the necessary energy for fluid delivery. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex energy storage systems during use, as the spring is already prepared to deliver the fluid when the user activates the release mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If existing administration devices require multiple manufacturing steps to ensure precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed as a disposable unit with a single-use syringe and integrated components. This eliminates the need for complex assembly processes, quality control steps for reusable parts, and sophisticated manufacturing tolerances, as the entire device is manufactured as a complete unit and then discarded after use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the syringe container, spring mechanism, release mechanism, and injection needle are merged into one unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufacturing processes required and simplifies production compared to assembling multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device ensures safe, precise, and easy administration of fluids, reducing the risk of contamination and air bubbles while simplifying manufacturing processes through semi-automatic operation and clear visual indicators.

Implementation Method 1

a compressed drive spring (60) arranged to automatically actuate the main unit (50) from the releasing position into the administration position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the actuation mechanism comprises a leadscrew, wherein the first actuation part (70) and the main unit (50) movably interact with one another by means of the leadscrew

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4237043B1Administration device for in particular intravitreal administration of a fluid
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INT GMBH
  • EP4237043B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4237043B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4237043B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An administration device for intravitreal administration of a fluid is proposed, wherein a first actuation part of the administration device is rotatable in order to axially move a main unit acting on a stopper by means of a leadscrew, wherein a drive spring is partially releasable by actuating the first actuation part and at least partially releasable by actuating a second actuation part of the administration device, wherein a blocking element of the actuation device axially blocks the main unit both in an administration position and a final position of a main unit and/or wherein an indicator part of the administration device is rotatable by the axial movement of the main unit.