Medicament Delivery Supplementary Device Button Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often forget to activate the electronic module on medicament delivery devices, leading to unregistered drug administration and potential non-compliance with prescribed medication schemes, which can result in poor recovery and secondary health issues.
Innovation Solution
A supplementary device with a button locking mechanism that prevents activation until mounted to a medicament delivery device, ensuring the electronic module is activated only when the device is properly fitted, using a radially flexible arm and guide structures to secure the button in a retracted position until the device is mounted, and a resilient member to bias the button towards the extended position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a touch pad activation method is used to power the electronic module, then the module can be activated by user interaction, but users may forget to activate the module leading to unregistered drug administration
Solution Approach 1:
The button is pre-configured in a locked retracted position before use, preventing accidental or forgotten activation. The locking mechanism is set in advance to ensure the device cannot be activated unless properly mounted, eliminating the need for users to remember to activate the module separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting of the supplementary device to the medicament delivery device automatically triggers the unlocking mechanism through geometric interaction. The system self-activates through the physical coupling process itself, without requiring separate user action to enable the electronic module.
2Ease of operation
If the button is always accessible for actuation, then the device can be easily operated, but accidental activation may occur before proper mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The button locking member is configured to prevent button displacement in the locked state, creating a preliminary barrier against accidental activation. This anti-action mechanism ensures that even if the button is touched, it cannot be actuated unless the device is properly mounted first.
3Reliability
If a button locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental activation, then activation control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The button locking member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it locks the button in the retracted position, unlocks when the device is properly mounted through geometric interaction, and prevents button rotation. This merging reduces the need for separate locking mechanisms and simplifies the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The button itself serves multiple functions: it acts as the activation trigger, the unlocking element for the locking mechanism, and a component that prevents rotation through its interaction with the locking member. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts needed in the system.
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
Ensures that the electronic module is activated only when the supplementary device is correctly attached to the medicament delivery device, enhancing compliance by ensuring accurate registration of medication administration and reducing the risk of missed doses.
Implementation Method 1
the radially flexible arm is configured to engage with the button to prevent displacement of the button from the retracted position to the extended position
Implementation Method 2
a resilient member to bias the button towards the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a supplementary device (1) configured to be mounted to a medicament delivery device (1), wherein the supplementary device comprises a casing (3), a button (5) configured to be received by the casing (3) and configured to actuate a trigger (6) of a medicament delivery device (2), wherein the button (5) is configured to be displaceable from an initial retracted position to an extended position relative to the casing (3), and a button locking member (7) configured to lock the button (5) in the retracted position of the button (5) to prevent displacement of the button (5) from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein the button locking member (7) is configured to release button (5) when the supplementary device (1) is mounted to a medicament delivery device (2), thereby enabling displacement of the button (5) from the retracted position to the extended position.