Medicament Delivery Administration Assembly Single-Step Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medicament delivery devices with auto-penetration mechanisms require a two-stage user interaction for activation, which can be cumbersome and may lead to unintended premature activation of the medicament delivery member.
Innovation Solution
An administration assembly for a medicament delivery device featuring a double-edged needle assembly and a proximally biased plunger rod mechanism, where a single backward movement of the delivery member cover activates the administration mechanism, allowing auto-penetration and medicament expulsion with a single user interaction by shifting the medicament delivery member cover in the distal direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-stage user interaction procedure is used to activate the medicament delivery device, then the medicament delivery member can be controlled to prevent premature activation, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires multiple user actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the two separate activation stages into a single integrated action. The delivery member cover integrates both the auto-penetration triggering function and the medicament expulsion activation function. When the user performs a single distal movement of the delivery member cover, it simultaneously activates the spring-tensed auto-penetration mechanism and releases the plunger rod to expel medicament, eliminating the need for separate user actions while maintaining controlled activation
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery member cover is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple functions: it protects the needle, triggers the auto-penetration mechanism, and activates the medicament expulsion system. This universal component consolidates what were previously separate control mechanisms into one unified interface for the user, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability through integrated control
2Ease of operation
If the needle protecting tube is shifted backward to free the travel path for needle movement, then the needle can be exposed for penetration, but this also prematurely initiates medicament expulsion requiring a two-stage procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the needle exposure and medicament expulsion functions into temporally separated events within a single user action. The delivery member cover's distal movement first triggers needle exposure through the auto-penetration mechanism, and only after this initial movement does the plunger rod subsequently move to expel medicament. This segmentation within a unified action sequence prevents premature medicament expulsion while maintaining simple operation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-tensed auto-penetration mechanism is pre-loaded and ready to act immediately upon distal movement of the delivery member cover. The needle exposure is the preliminary action that occurs first, followed by the medicament expulsion as a subsequent action. This preliminary sequencing ensures that needle exposure does not prematurely trigger medicament expulsion, as the plunger rod remains constrained until after the needle has been successfully positioned
3Extent of automation
If a spring-tensed auto-penetration mechanism is used, then the medicament delivery member can be automatically activated, but the plunger rod requires additional constraints to prevent premature movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary constraint mechanism that mediates between the auto-penetration trigger and the plunger rod. A constraint element prevents the plunger rod from moving during the initial auto-penetration phase, and only after the needle has been successfully positioned does this constraint release to allow plunger rod movement. This intermediary control prevents premature medicament expulsion while maintaining the automation benefits of the spring-tensed mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint system for the plunger rod is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It transitions from a constrained state during needle deployment to an unconstrained state after penetration is complete. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to automatically adapt its control characteristics based on the operational phase, maintaining simplicity while preventing premature activation
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
Enables efficient and streamlined medicament administration with a single user interaction, ensuring the needle is only exposed when necessary and maintaining sterility, while providing sufficient force for medicament expulsion through the plunger rod's biasing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the plunger rod is proximally biased, wherein the delivery member cover is configured to be linearly displaced in the distal direction relative to the cartridge holder, and wherein the delivery member cover is configured to activate the administration mechanism when moved in the distal direction, causing the administration mechanism to move the cartridge holder in the proximal direction and to subsequently move the plunger rod in the proximal direction inside the cartridge holder
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a administration assembly for a medicament delivery device, comprising: an elongated tubular delivery member cover (7), a cartridge holder (11) configured to be received by the delivery member cover (7) and configured to accommodate a medicament cartridge (31), the cartridge holder (11) having a radially flexible and radially inwards extending cartridge blocking protrusion (11b) configured to prevent the medicament cartridge (31) from moving proximally until being subjected to a proximally directed force larger than a threshold value, a needle assembly (13) comprising a double-edged needle having a proximally extending needle portion (13a) and a distally extending needle portion (13b), wherein the needle assembly (13) is configured to be assembled with the cartridge holder (11) so that the distally extending needle portion (13b) extends into the cartridge holder (11), and an administration mechanism including a plunger rod (27) configured to be proximally biased, wherein the delivery member cover (7) is configured to be linearly displaced in the distal direction relative to the cartridge holder (11), and wherein the delivery member cover (7) is configured to activate the administration mechanism when moved in the distal direction, causing the administration mechanism to move the cartridge holder (11) in the proximal direction and to subsequently move the plunger rod (27) in the proximal direction inside the cartridge holder (11) with a force larger than the threshold value.