Motorized Cartridge-Holder Locking for Drug Injection Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable injection devices face challenges such as size, weight, difficulty in use due to locking mechanisms, wear and tear, and increased risk of user error, which affect their usability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An injection device with a drive mechanism powered by at least one electric motor that facilitates easy unlocking and locking of the cartridge holder, utilizing a rotary lock and torsion-spring mechanism to simplify operation, and incorporates features like magnetic attachment and sensor systems for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a reusable injection device is used to reduce cost and improve convenience, then the device can be used for multiple injections, but the device becomes larger and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device is divided into separate modules: a reusable main body containing the motor and control electronics, and replaceable cartridges containing the medication. This segmentation allows the heavy components to be concentrated in the main body while the cartridges remain lightweight, resolving the contradiction between reusability and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable main body is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple different cartridge types. The standardized interface and motor-driven mechanism allow a single main body to perform multiple injection functions with different medications, improving productivity while maintaining reasonable weight through component reuse.
2Device complexity
If a manual locking mechanism is used to secure the cartridge holder, then the structure is simple, but it requires strength that may be difficult for users with impaired strength
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical locking mechanism is replaced with an electric motor-driven locking system. The motor receives unlock commands from the processor and automatically actuates the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for users to apply manual strength while maintaining secure attachment. This substitution resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of operation for impaired users.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the motor system. When the cartridge holder is inserted, the motor automatically engages the locking mechanism without requiring user intervention for the actual locking action, making the system easy to operate while maintaining security.
3Productivity
If a reusable device with frequent use is used, then productivity is improved, but wear and tear may cause malfunctioning and incorrect dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable component that is replaced after a single use or when wear is detected, while the expensive main body is recovered and reused. This allows frequent use of the device while ensuring that wear-prone components are periodically replaced, maintaining reliability despite high productivity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are integrated into the device to monitor the condition of internal components during use. The processor receives feedback from these sensors and can detect wear or potential malfunctions, alerting the user or automatically adjusting operation to prevent incorrect dosing. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability even with frequent use of the reusable device.
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 a user-friendly, reliable, and durable solution that reduces the need for manual strength to unlock, minimizes wear, and enhances safety by reducing user error, while allowing for both reusable and disposable configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The drive mechanism comprises at least one electric motor
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a rotary lock and torsion-spring mechanism to simplify operation
Implementation Method 3
incorporates features like magnetic attachment and sensor systems for enhanced functionality
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
Disclosed is an injection device for delivering set doses of a drug from a cartridge. The injection device comprises a main body. The injection device comprises a cartridge holder configured for holding the cartridge. The injection device comprises a piston rod assembly comprising a piston rod. The injection device comprises a lock assembly. The loc assembly is configured for releasably locking the cartridge holder to the main body. The injection device comprises a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is configured for driving the lock assembly to unlock the cartridge holder from the main body. The drive mechanism comprises at least one electric motor.