Medication Dispensing Apparatus Sub-Dose Prevention Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medication dispensing apparatuses lack a reliable mechanism to ensure that only a defined dosage of a fluid product is delivered, preventing sub-doses and allowing for easy construction in a compact form without additional complexity.

Innovation Solution

A medication dispensing apparatus with a sub-dose preventing system that includes a lock ring or combination of elements, allowing movement only in the dosing-up direction and blocking the dial-down direction, coupled with a drive system that ensures the dosing element reaches a fully dosed-up position before dispensing, using a ratchet mechanism for secure engagement and disengagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sub-dose preventing system is added to ensure only defined dosage is delivered, then medication delivery reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication delivery reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sub-dose preventing system merges the lock ring with the dosing element structure, where the lock ring is integrated into the rotating sleeve assembly. The ratchet mechanism is combined with the drive system components, allowing the prevention function to be achieved without adding completely separate mechanical subsystems. This integration maintains reliability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing element is segmented into functional components: the rotating sleeve for dose setting, the lock ring for prevention, and the ratchet mechanism for directional control. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the complex prevention system to be broken down into manageable, independently analyzable parts that can be manufactured and assembled separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a lock ring mechanism is implemented to block dial-down direction, then sub-dose prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesub-dose preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lock ring serves multiple functions: it locks the dosing element in the dosed-up position, prevents dial-down movement, and integrates with the ratchet mechanism for directional control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying manufacturing while achieving reliable sub-dose prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex blocking mechanism to prevent dial-down, the invention uses a ratchet mechanism that inherently allows movement in one direction (dosing-up) while automatically blocking the reverse direction. This inverted approach simplifies the manufacturing by using passive mechanical elements rather than active blocking components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the dosing element is made axially movable for dosing-up, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of sub-dose administration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing operation easeVSAvoiddosage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ratchet mechanism provides mechanical feedback by engaging and disengaging at specific positions during the dosing element's axial movement. This feedback ensures the dosing element has reached the fully dosed-up position before dispensing can occur, maintaining both ease of operation and dosage accuracy through tactile and positional confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing element must complete the full axial movement to the dosed-up position before the dispensing operation can begin. This preliminary action ensures that the defined dosage is fully prepared and loaded into the dispensing mechanism, preventing sub-dose administration by requiring complete dosing-up before any medication can be delivered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures that only the pre-set dosage is delivered, preventing sub-doses and allowing for a compact, reliable construction of the apparatus without additional complexity, ensuring accurate and consistent medication administration.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentEP3006068B1Medication dispensing apparatus with sub dose prevention

Publication Date: 2020.12.09 YPSOMED AG

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

Medication dispensing apparatus for dosing-up and delivering a pre-set dosage of a fluid product, comprising: a housing; a dosing element moveable relative to the housing between a starting position and a dosed-up position; a drive system coupled to the dosing element operable to initiate or perform a dispensing operation; and a sub dose preventing system preventing or blocking a dispensing operation of the drive system when the dosing element has not reached the dosed-up position and allowing or unblocking a dispensing operation of the drive system when or after the dosing element has reached the dosed-up position, wherein the sub dose preventing system is operable to block a rotational movement in a circumferential direction of the medication dispensing apparatus of a drive element of the drive system corresponding to a dispensing direction or a dial-down direction when preventing or blocking the dispensing operation of the drive system.