Medicament Delivery Sub-Assembly with Guard-Triggered Automatic Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medicament delivery devices require users to manually attach medicament delivery members, such as needles or nozzles, which can be difficult for those without formal medical training, especially when using cartridges that maintain medicament integrity.
Innovation Solution
A sub-assembly for a medicament delivery device featuring a tubular cap, adapter, delivery member assembly, and delivery member guard with a rotation mechanism that automatically attaches the delivery member by rotating the adapter relative to the tubular cap when the guard moves from a distal to a proximal position, utilizing screw threads, protrusions, or torsion springs to facilitate this attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cartridge is used to store medicament for long periods, then the medicament can be kept fully sealed and intact, but the user must manually attach the delivery member which is difficult for patients without formal medical training
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically attaches the delivery member to the cartridge without requiring user manipulation. The spring-loaded plunger mechanism self-activates to push the delivery member into the cartridge, and the cam mechanism automatically secures it in place, eliminating the need for manual attachment by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical attachment process is replaced by an automated mechanical system involving a spring-loaded plunger and cam mechanism. The spring provides the force needed to insert the delivery member, while the cam mechanism provides automatic locking, substituting the complex manual attachment procedure with a simple user action.
2Device complexity
If a manual attachment process is used, then the device structure can be simpler, but the operation becomes difficult for users without medical training
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism performs the securing action automatically once the user inserts the cartridge. The cam mechanism self-activates to lock the delivery member in place, and the spring mechanism automatically provides the necessary insertion force, reducing the user's role to simply inserting the cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-compressed and the cam mechanism is pre-positioned to automatically execute the attachment sequence. The delivery member is held in a ready position by the spring, and the cam is positioned to automatically engage and secure the delivery member as soon as the cartridge is inserted, eliminating the need for user manipulation during 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
Enables easy and automatic attachment of medicament delivery members, simplifying the process for users without medical training and ensuring secure connection of the delivery member to the device.
Implementation Method 1
The rotation mechanism comprises a screw thread and a protrusion positioned within the screw thread
Data Source
AI summary
A sub-assembly of a medicament delivery device, the sub-assembly comprising: a tubular cap (3; 3′; 3″), an adapter (2; 2′; 2″), a delivery member assembly (1), and a delivery member guard (4); wherein a rotation mechanism is arranged between the tubular cap (3; 3′; 5 3″) and the adapter (2; 2′; 2″); and wherein the rotation mechanism is configured so that a rotation of the adapter (2; 2′; 2″) about the longitudinal axis (L) relative to the tubular cap (3; 3′; 3″) is triggered when the delivery member guard (4) moves from the distal position to the proximal position.