Medicament Delivery Guard Locking for Long-Term Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medicament delivery devices with plastic components can lose their flexing properties over time due to aging, compromising the functionality of levers and risking exposure of medicament delivery members, especially after long storage periods.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device design featuring a housing with recesses or cut-outs for locking elements that maintain them in a non-tensioned state during storage, ensuring proper functioning by preventing material alteration and ensuring the locking mechanism's flexibility upon use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If locking elements are kept in a tensioned state during storage, then the device maintains its structural integrity, but the plastic material loses its flexing properties over time due to aging
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are pre-positioned in a non-tensioned state within recesses during assembly, preventing the material from entering a tensioned condition that would lead to loss of flexing properties during storage
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the locking elements is changed from a tensioned condition to a non-tensioned condition by designing the recesses to accommodate the elements in their relaxed state, thereby preserving their elastic properties
2Ease of operation
If locking elements are made flexible to enable locking/unlocking functionality, then the device can operate properly, but the plastic material may deform or lose its locking capability after long storage periods
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are designed with localized flexibility only in the specific regions needed for locking/unlocking operations, while maintaining rigidity in other areas, and are stored in a non-tensioned state to preserve this localized flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are pre-configured in their optimal non-tensioned state during assembly, ensuring they maintain their elastic memory and flexing properties when needed for operation
3Ease of operation
If the medicament delivery member guard is designed to move freely for proper operation, then the device can function correctly, but the medicament delivery member may be accidentally exposed causing injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism applies a preliminary blocking action to the medicament delivery member guard, preventing any unintended movement that could lead to accidental exposure of the medicament delivery member
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements act as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the medicament delivery member guard, controlling and restricting guard movement to prevent accidental exposure while allowing intentional operation
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
The solution ensures the locking mechanism's integrity and functionality after long storage periods, preventing accidental exposure of medicament delivery members and ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
The locking mechanism may comprise locking elements flexible in a generally radial direction
Implementation Method 2
a force element arranged to bias the medicament delivery member guard to a proximal extended position wherein the medicament delivery member is covered
Implementation Method 3
the plunger rod is movable in the proximal direction for pushing the stopper
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising a housing (10); a medicament container holder (60) arranged to accommodate a medicament container (62) provided with a medicament delivery member (64); a power unit (81) arranged to act on said medicament container (62) for expelling a dose of medicament when activated; an activation mechanism (30, 48, 148) operably connected to said power unit (81), capable of activating said power unit; said activation mechanism (30, 48, 148) comprising a medicament delivery member guard (30) movable in a longitudinal direction in relation to said housing (10); said activation mechanism comprising a force element (148) arranged to bias said medicament delivery member guard (30) to a proximal extended position wherein said medicament delivery member (64) is covered; locking mechanism (40, 160) operably arranged to lock said medicament delivery member guard (30) in the extended position; that said locking mechanism (40, 160) comprises a number of locking elements (40) connected to said medicament delivery member guard (30) and flexible in a generally radial direction, that said locking mechanism further comprises a number of ledge surfaces (160) connected to said housing, wherein said locking elements (40) flex radially outwards and abut said ledge surfaces (160) when said medicament delivery member guard (30) is moved in the extended position, preventing any further movement of said medicament delivery member guard (30) in the distal direction. The invention is characterised by spaces (158) connected to said housing (10) in which said locking elements (40) are positioned in a non-tensioned state in a delivery mode of said medicament delivery device.