Micro-Volume Injectors With Plunger-Based Dose Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sub-retinal injection procedures face challenges in precisely positioning the delivery needle, require multiple surgeons, and lack real-time volume control, leading to complications such as retina breaks and difficulty in achieving target doses.
Innovation Solution
A syringe device with integrated sensors and processors for precise volume measurement and color-coded visual feedback to confirm target dose delivery, allowing single-surgeon operation and reducing complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a syringe device is used for sub-retinal injections, then medicament delivery is achieved, but precise positioning of the needle tip and accurate volume control are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe device incorporates sensors that detect plunger position and provide real-time feedback on the volume of medicament delivered. This feedback mechanism allows the system to accurately measure and control the volume injected, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by integrating intelligent monitoring capabilities into the injection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical estimation of injection volume with electronic sensing and digital measurement systems. Sensors detect plunger displacement and convert it into precise volume measurements, substituting mechanical guesswork with electronic precision while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Productivity
If current sub-retinal injection procedures are used, then medicament delivery is achieved, but multiple surgeons are required and real-time volume control is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe device incorporates integrated sensors and a processor that automatically monitor and calculate the volume of medicament delivered in real-time. This self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for assistant surgeons to manually track plunger position and calculate volumes, allowing a single surgeon to perform the procedure with confidence in accurate dose delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time feedback system provides continuous information about the volume delivered, enabling the surgeon to control the injection process independently without requiring an assistant to monitor and calculate volumes manually. This improves both efficiency and ease of operation by consolidating monitoring functions within the device itself.
3Measurement precision
If manual volume calculation is used during injection, then target dose estimation is attempted, but accurate determination of target dose delivery is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual calculation methods with electronic sensing and automated computation. The processor continuously calculates the volume delivered based on sensor data, providing accurate real-time measurements without requiring the surgeon or assistant to perform manual calculations, thereby improving both accuracy and time efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The volume measurement and calculation process occurs continuously throughout the injection procedure rather than requiring intermittent manual calculations. The sensors continuously monitor plunger position and the processor continuously updates the volume delivered, ensuring accurate dose determination without interrupting the injection flow or requiring time-consuming manual computations.
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 precise and controlled delivery of medicaments, such as gene vectors and stem cells, with reduced risk of retina tears and improved accuracy in target dose administration.
Implementation Method 1
a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston
Data Source
AI summary
Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.