Medication Delivery Device Shield Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication delivery devices, such as pen injectors, often require priming and lack mechanisms to prevent needle stick injuries, making them complex and unsafe for self-administration.
Innovation Solution
A portable medication delivery device with a plunger, plunger hook, and shield lock mechanism that connects a pre-filled syringe holder and needle shield, allowing for single-dose delivery without priming and automatically locking the needle shield after use to prevent injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional pen injector is used, then medication can be delivered, but the device requires priming and lacks needle stick injury prevention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a pre-filled syringe holder, a separate needle shield, a shield lock member, and a plunger mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining safety features. The needle shield can be detached and disposed of separately from the medication delivery mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield is pre-positioned to cover the needle before use, and the shield lock member is pre-configured to automatically engage with the PFS holder. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to provide automatic plunger advancement. These preliminary arrangements eliminate the need for manual priming and ensure safety features are ready before the user administers the medication.
2Reliability
If a traditional pen injector is used, then medication can be delivered, but it lacks mechanisms to prevent needle stick injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The shield lock member acts as an intermediary component that connects the needle shield to the PFS holder. It features a shield hook that engages with the PFS holder and a shield lock that secures the needle shield in place. This intermediary mechanism automatically links the shield and holder together after dose delivery, preventing needle stick injuries without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs self-activating safety mechanisms. The spring-loaded plunger automatically advances after the button is pressed, and the shield lock member automatically engages with the PFS holder and secures the needle shield. These self-service features ensure safety without adding significant operational complexity for the user.
3Reliability
If a shield lock mechanism is added to connect PFS holder and needle shield, then needle stick injury prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield lock member combines multiple functions into a single component: it holds the needle shield, connects to the PFS holder, and provides the locking mechanism. By merging these functions into one integrated piece rather than separate components, the design achieves reliable needle stick prevention while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield and its associated lock mechanism are designed as disposable components that are discarded after a single use. This approach allows for simplified, reliable safety features without the need for complex reusable mechanisms, as the entire shield assembly can be safely discarded after one administration.
4Measurement precision
If priming is required for medication delivery, then dosing accuracy can be achieved, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-filled syringe is pre-loaded with the exact dose of medication required. The plunger mechanism is pre-positioned to deliver the correct volume, and the spring is pre-loaded to provide the necessary force. This preliminary preparation ensures accurate dosing without requiring the user to perform priming or dosage calculation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically delivers the precise dose through its spring-loaded plunger mechanism that advances the plunger a predetermined distance. The system self-regulates the medication delivery volume based on the pre-configured mechanism, eliminating the need for user intervention in dosing calculations or priming procedures.
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 simple, safe, and accurate self-administration of medications with reduced complexity and risk of needle stick injuries by using a spring-powered mechanism that automatically locks the needle shield post-dose delivery.
Implementation Method 1
Compressed spring force may release the plunger
Data Source
AI summary
A medication delivery device is provided and comprises a housing, a plunger within the said housing, a plunger hook, and a button, the button connects to a safety sleeve, disengaging safety sleeve from the plunger hook, thereafter the button engages with the plunger hook to push release the plunger held under spring pressure. The device further comprises a shield lock member to connect a pre-filled syringe (PFS) holder and a needle shield together. The shield lock member is activated after the dose is delivered.