Miniaturized Wearable Medication Device With Nested Rapid Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autoinjectors are cumbersome and not easily accessible, leading to incorrect use, misuse, and non-compliance, which can result in adverse outcomes during medical emergencies like anaphylaxis.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized wearable medication administration device with a compact design, integrated quick release mechanism, and rapid injection mechanism, allowing for self-administration of therapeutic agents within seconds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current autoinjectors are designed with sufficient medication capacity and injection mechanism, then medication administration reliability is improved, but device size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the cartridge containing the therapeutic agent inside the needle hub assembly, and positioning the entire injection mechanism within a compact housing. The cartridge is received within the needle hub, which itself is positioned within the housing, creating a nested structure that minimizes overall device size while maintaining all necessary functional components for reliable medication administration
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a housing containing the injection mechanism, a separate cartridge holding the therapeutic agent, and a needle hub assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining compact overall dimensions, enabling the device to be small enough for portable wear while retaining full medication administration capability
2Ease of operation
If autoinjectors are made compact and wearable, then accessibility and ease of use are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs self-service mechanisms where the spring automatically advances the cartridge and needle assembly when the cap is removed, and the plunger automatically injects the therapeutic agent when the cartridge is properly positioned. This eliminates the need for manual operation during the critical injection process, simplifying user interaction to merely removing the cap and applying pressure to the activation button
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded and positioned within the housing before use, ready to automatically advance the cartridge and needle assembly upon cap removal. The plunger is pre-positioned within the cartridge, prepared to automatically inject the therapeutic agent once the cartridge is properly seated. These preliminary actions reduce the complexity of user operation during the emergency injection process
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 quick and reliable administration of medications, such as epinephrine, by being easily wearable and accessible, reducing the risk of adverse outcomes by ensuring prompt treatment during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to force the piston toward the second end of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a retraction spring positioned within the second cylinder and configured to force the needle hub toward the second end of the cylinder
Implementation Method 3
the piston drives some of the fluid through the channel into the second cylinder, thereby driving the cartridge sealing ring, the cylinder, the needle hub, and the needle toward the first end of the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
A device includes a housing having a first end, a second end, a first cylinder, a second cylinder parallel to the first cylinder, and a channel connecting the first and second cylinders near the second end. A piston is positioned within the first cylinder. A cartridge containing a therapeutic agent is positioned within the second cylinder. A needle hub containing a needle is positioned within the second cylinder between the cartridge and the first end. A septum is positioned at the first end. A fluid is positioned within the first cylinder. When the device is activated, the piston travels toward the second end, forcing some of the fluid to travel from the first cylinder into the second cylinder, forcing the cartridge toward the first end, causing the needle to penetrate the cartridge and the septum, and causing at least some of the therapeutic agent to extrude through the needle