Compact Microneedle Applicator with Movable Cap Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microneedle applicators are large and cumbersome, making them unsuitable for use in children and infants, and require multiple components that increase size and weight.
Innovation Solution
A compact microneedle applicator design featuring a tubular housing with a freely movable cap that releases a piston against a biasing force, eliminating the need for a presser bar spring and reducing the number of components, allowing for a smaller and lighter device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional applicator designs with multiple components (presser bar spring, cap fixation members) are used, then the device can reliably function, but the size and weight increase making it unsuitable for children and infants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the presser bar spring and cap fixation members from the conventional applicator design. The cap is made freely movable in the extending direction of the housing, eliminating the need for fixation members and presser bar springs while maintaining the essential function of releasing the piston against the biasing force of the impact spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the cap's releasing function directly with the piston mechanism. The cap serves dual purposes: protecting the microneedle and releasing the piston through its free movement, combining previously separate functions into a single integrated component that reduces overall device complexity and weight.
2Reliability
If conventional applicator designs with multiple components are used, then the device can reliably function, but the size increases making it cumbersome and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the presser bar spring and cap fixation members from the conventional applicator design. The cap is made freely movable in the extending direction of the housing, eliminating the need for fixation members and presser bar springs while maintaining the essential function of releasing the piston against the biasing force of the impact spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed to be housed within the housing when not in use, creating a compact nested configuration. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume of the applicator while maintaining all necessary functions, making it more portable and suitable for pediatric use.
3Weight of moving object
If the cap is made freely movable to eliminate fixation members, then the device size and weight are reduced, but the reliability of piston fixation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cap utilizes its own weight and the force applied during normal operation to achieve reliable piston fixation. The freely movable cap design allows it to naturally engage with the piston mechanism without requiring additional fixation members, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating extra components that would add weight.
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 design enhances portability and reproducibility of puncture by reducing the size and weight of the applicator while maintaining reliable microneedle administration, with improved ease of use and reduced collision noise.
Implementation Method 1
a piston which transmits a biasing force of a biasing member to the microneedle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An applicator 10 for applying a microneedle to a skin includes a tubular housing 11, a piston 20 which transmits a biasing force of a spring 40 to the microneedle, fixation means (a claw receiving portion 16 and claw portions 22a) for fixing the piston 20 against the biasing force of the spring 40 in the housing 11, and a cap 30 provided near a first end of the housing 11. A projecting portion 31 for releasing the piston 20 fixed by the fixation means is provided at a surface of the cap 30 facing the piston 20. The cap 30 is provided to be freely movable in an extending direction of the housing 11 such that the projecting portion 31 can contact the fixation means when the piston 20 is fixed by the fixation means.