Medicament Delivery Sleeve Actuator for Dose Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery systems face challenges in accurately indicating the number of doses remaining or dispensed, due to issues with off-axis force applications causing increased friction and misalignment between the dose indicator and the container actuation, leading to inaccurate counting and potential empty container situations.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery system featuring a dispenser housing with a sleeve that moves relative to the canister and dispenser housing, providing extended guidance for actuation and reducing friction, while the sleeve also protects the dose indicator and adhesive wrap, allowing for precise tuning between the actuation of the dose indicator and the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the force required to actuate the dose indicator is minimized, then the dose indicator can be actuated easily, but it may count an actuation when the container has not been actuated
Solution Approach 1:
A sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the dose indicator and the container. The sleeve receives the actuation force first, then transfers it to the dose indicator through a controlled interface. This mediator allows the system to decouple the actuation forces, enabling the dose indicator to be actuated with minimal force while maintaining accurate coupling with container actuation through the sleeve's mechanical linkage.
2Measurement precision
If the force required to actuate the dose indicator is increased, then false actuations are prevented, but the actuation force may exceed that required to actuate the container
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is segmented into separate components: the container, the sleeve, and the dose indicator. Each component has its own actuation threshold optimized for its specific function. The sleeve acts as an independent element that can be actuated at a different force level than the container, allowing precise control over when the dose indicator registers an actuation without affecting container actuation.
3Ease of operation
If off-axis force is applied to the dose indicator, then the actuation can be initiated, but friction increases and actuation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve serves as a mediator that receives off-axis actuation forces and converts them into axial motion of the dose indicator. When force is applied to the sleeve, it translates this force through its longitudinal wall to the dose indicator in a controlled manner, maintaining proper alignment and minimizing friction between the dose indicator components even when the initial actuation force is applied off-axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery assembly for dispensing a medicament from a container includes a dispenser housing having a longitudinally extending peripheral wall defining an interior surface. A container includes a canister having first and second ends and an exterior surface spaced from the interior surface of the dispenser housing so as to form a gap therebetween. A dose indicator is disposed on the second end of the canister and includes dosage indicia. A sleeve is disposed over the dose indicator and includes a longitudinally extending wall disposed in the gap between the interior surface of the dispenser housing and the exterior surface of the canister. The sleeve is reciprocally moveable relative to the canister and to the dispenser housing. A medicament delivery kit, a method of dispensing medicament from a medicament delivery device and a method of assembling a medicament delivery device also are provided.