Magnetic Lock Add-On for Reusable Medicament Device Electronics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices with added connectivity and sensors face challenges in minimizing user complexity while ensuring disposability and environmental sustainability, particularly for disposable devices, as disposing of embedded electronics is costly and environmentally suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device add-on featuring a magnetic lock that allows reusable attachment to the device, preventing end-user removal but enabling recycling by unlocking with a magnet, thereby maintaining user experience and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connectivity and sensors are added to disposable medicament delivery devices, then device functionality and data collection are improved, but disposal cost and environmental impact worsen due to embedded electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two segments: a disposable portion (medicament delivery device) and a reusable portion (add-on with electronics). This segmentation allows the electronic components to be separated from the disposable device, enabling reuse of the add-on while maintaining the disposability of the medicament delivery device, thus reducing electronic waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable add-on is designed to be recovered and reused across multiple disposable devices. The magnetic lock mechanism enables easy attachment to new disposable devices and controlled detachment for recycling, allowing the electronic components to be recovered and reused rather than discarded with each disposable device.
2Ease of repair
If a reusable add-on with electronics is attached to disposable devices, then electronic component reuse is improved, but user complexity increases if removal and reattachment steps are added
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic lock mechanism replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simple magnetic attraction system. This allows the add-on to be securely attached to disposable devices without requiring complex assembly steps, and enables easy separation when needed, maintaining simplicity for end users while facilitating reuse for manufacturers.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic lock provides dynamic attachment characteristics: strong magnetic force secures the add-on during normal use, preventing accidental removal by users, while allowing controlled detachment when a magnet is applied by manufacturers. This dynamic behavior automatically adapts to different user needs without adding complexity.
3Reliability
If a magnetic lock is used to secure the add-on, then attachment security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to the magnetic mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic locking mechanism is extracted as a separate, modular component rather than being integrated into the main structure of either the add-on or disposable device. This allows the magnetic elements to be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining secure attachment.
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 magnetic lock ensures a seamless user experience while facilitating recycling of electronic components, reducing costs and environmental impact by allowing parts with electronics to be reused.
Implementation Method 1
The first portion is releasably attached to the second portion by a magnetic lock
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A medicament delivery device add-on (10) is described. The medicament delivery device add-on (10) comprises a first portion (11) and a second portion (12), the first portion (11) comprising at least one electronic component. The first portion (11) is releasably attached to the second portion (12) by a magnetic lock (20). Other related apparatus and methods are also described.