Medicament Delivery Cap Assembly for Low-Force Shield Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medicament delivery devices face difficulties in easy removal of the cap assembly due to significant friction between the medicament delivery member and the shield remover, particularly for users with impaired hands or elders.

Innovation Solution

A cap assembly design featuring a tubular outer shell and a movable shield remover connected via a connector, allowing the tubular outer shell to move a longer distance than the shield remover, reducing the required force for removal by incorporating a rotatable or pivotable connector mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cap assembly is designed with a shield remover tightly gripping on the medicament delivery member shield, then the shield remover can effectively remove the shield, but the friction between the medicament delivery member and the shield remover becomes significant, making the cap assembly difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoidforce required for removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is designed to be movable relative to the tubular outer shell, allowing it to move in the proximal direction by a movement of the tubular outer shell in the proximal direction. This dynamic connection enables the shield remover to be moved a distance smaller than a distance moved by the tubular outer shell, reducing the friction force required for removal while maintaining effective shield gripping capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cap assembly is divided into separable components: the tubular outer shell, the shield remover, and the connector. The connector is movably connected to both the tubular outer shell and the shield remover, allowing independent movement and reducing the force transmission between components during removal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4412686B1A cap assembly of a medicament delivery device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SHL MEDICAL AG
  • EP4412686B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4412686B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4412686B1 patent drawingFigure 7A~7C

AI summary

A cap assembly of a medicament delivery device, the cap assembly comprising: a tubular outer shell, a shield remover, and a connector; wherein the tubular outer shell extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the shield remover is at least partially arranged within the tubular outer shell; wherein the shield remover is movable relative to the tubular outer shell in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and wherein the connector is arranged within the tubular outer shell; wherein the connector is movably connected to both the tubular outer shell and the shield remover, wherein the connector is configured to be moved in the proximal direction by a movement of the tubular outer shell in the proximal direction; such that the shield remover is moved a distance smaller than a distance moved by the tubular outer shell.