Micro Dosing Chamber With Feedback for Precise Microliter Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medicament delivery devices struggle with precise dosing of small amounts, particularly in the microliter range, and lack effective feedback mechanisms for users.

Innovation Solution

A micro dosing device with a dosing chamber, activation mechanism, and one-way valves, featuring haptic, acoustic, and visual end-of-dose feedback, ensures precise metered delivery of therapeutic fluids, including a piston rod with predefined displacement volume and stopping mechanisms for accurate dosing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional dosing devices are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the dosing precision for small amounts (microliter range) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a dosing unit with a dosing chamber, a connector unit for fluid connection, and an activation mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling precise microliter dosing through the specialized dosing chamber while keeping the overall device manageable through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the dosing chamber, including its volume (configured for microliter range), shape (streamlined form), and internal geometry. These parameter changes enable precise control of small fluid volumes. The piston rod displacement volume is also precisely defined to achieve accurate dosing in the microliter range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If no feedback mechanism is provided, then the device complexity remains low, but the user cannot detect the beginning and end of medicament delivery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing feedbackVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates multiple feedback mechanisms to inform users of dosing status: haptic feedback through tactile sensations during piston movement, acoustic feedback via audible clicks or signals, and visual feedback through transparent or translucent chamber walls allowing observation of fluid levels. These feedback systems ensure users can detect the beginning and end of medicament delivery without excessively increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing chamber may incorporate visual indicators such as color changes or transparency variations to signal dosing status. The streamlined form of the dosing chamber is designed to provide visual feedback on fluid levels and delivery progress, enabling users to observe the dosing process without additional complex electronic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If a streamlined dosing chamber form is used, then the fluid flow improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow efficiencyVSAvoidchamber geometry precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing chamber is merged with the connector unit and activation mechanism into an integrated assembly. This combining allows the streamlined form to be achieved through unified design while manufacturing tolerances are managed across the integrated structure rather than requiring extreme precision in isolated components. The piston rod and sealing elements are also integrated to work together as a coordinated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device provides highly accurate dosing with visual, haptic, and acoustic feedback, ensuring the exact delivery of therapeutic fluids, adaptable to various medicament containers and delivery members, suitable for single or multiple doses.

Implementation Method 1

a piston rod slidably fitted into a piston guide, having a predefined rod volume, when acted on, the piston moves into the dosing chamber, wherein the displacement volume of the piston rod defines the dose volume being expelled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisplacement: Displacement

Implementation Method 2

a first one-way valve arranged at the dosing chamber inlet and a second one-way valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve: Valve

Implementation Method 3

sealing elements fluidly sealing the dosing chamber, wherein the sealing elements are arranged between the inner surface of the piston guide and the piston rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP4181985B1Micro dosing device and method of assembly of the micro dosing device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SHL MEDICAL AG
  • EP4181985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4181985B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4181985B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention concerns a micro dosing device for delivering a metered dose of a therapeutic fluid comprising, a dosing unit with a dosing chamber, a connector unit at a distal end for fluidly connecting a medicament container to the dosing chamber, a connector unit at a proximal end for fluidly connecting the dosing chamber to a medicament delivery member, and an activation mechanism, wherein the dosing chamber is configured to receive and therapeutic fluid. Further, the micro dosing device comprises a dosing mechanism which provides an exactly metered dose of fluid to be expelled by the medicament delivery member, when the activation mechanism is triggered by a user.