Medical Injection Apparatus with Detachable Patch for Viscous Drug Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current injection devices, such as vials, prefilled syringes, and cartridges, are limited in delivering high volumes of high viscosity drugs due to design constraints imposed by glass containers, and there is a need for improved apparatuses and methods for medical fluid transfer and injection that can monitor health parameters before, during, and after administration.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a patch with sensors and an injector with a cannula that directs a substance from a reservoir into the body, allowing for the measurement of health parameters and monitoring, while the injector is configured to administer the substance through a fluid flow path, with optional integration of a pump and communication interfaces for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If standard container closure systems (vials, prefilled syringes, cartridges) are used, then manufacturing resources are efficiently utilized and drug stability is maintained, but the devices cannot deliver high volumes of high viscosity drugs due to design constraints of glass containers
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the reservoir function from the injection mechanism. The reservoir can be a standard vial or cartridge that remains outside the injection device, while only the necessary injection components (needle, plunger, housing) are integrated into the autoinjector. This allows standard glass containers to be used without being constrained by the compact housing requirements of traditional autoinjectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that connects the external reservoir to the injection system. This intermediary allows the reservoir to be positioned externally while still enabling controlled drug delivery through the needle, effectively bridging the gap between standard container designs and injection device requirements.
2Force
If glass container closure systems are used, then drug stability and manufacturing efficiency are maintained, but the forces that can be applied to the glass container are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the force application function from the glass container. The motor and drive mechanism are positioned outside the glass vial, applying force to the plunger or stopper without requiring the glass container itself to withstand high injection forces. This protects the glass container from excessive stress while enabling powerful injection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger or stopper acts as an intermediary between the motor-driven force application mechanism and the glass container closure system. This intermediary transmits the necessary force for drug delivery while protecting the glass container from direct exposure to high injection forces, maintaining container integrity.
3Productivity
If custom container closures are used to enable high volume and high viscosity drug delivery, then delivery capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The autoinjector design is made universal to accommodate multiple reservoir types including vials, cartridges, and prefilled syringes. The standardized interface and adaptable reservoir holder allow the same injection device platform to work with different container formats, eliminating the need for custom container designs and leveraging existing manufacturing capabilities across the pharmaceutical industry.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses standardized, off-the-shelf reservoir components that can be produced using existing manufacturing processes rather than requiring custom tooling and specialized production lines. This copying of established container designs maintains manufacturing efficiency while achieving the required delivery performance.
4Force
If reusable and refillable injection devices are used, then cost is reduced, but they cannot generate high forces or pressures required for high viscosity drugs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical force application with an integrated motor-driven mechanism. The motor provides consistent, high-force output required for viscous drug delivery, eliminating the need for complex manual pumping mechanisms while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. This substitution enables high force generation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods for monitoring one or more health or physiological parameters in a subject. The systems and methods may comprise a patch coupled to an injector. Data may be transmitted to a mobile device or remote server, where the data may be processed. Processed data may be used to inform a subject on a health or physiological condition.