Motorized Injection System with Alignment Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injection systems, both manual and autoinjectors, face challenges such as requiring manual force, dexterity for alignment and stability, and lack of additional functionalities like alignment verification, making them difficult for elderly or arthritic patients to administer injections correctly and consistently deliver the intended dose.
Innovation Solution
An improved injection system comprising a medicament cartridge with a housing, retraction spring, contact sensor, and a delivery device with a motorized actuator, user interface, and energy source, which includes a visual and audible feedback system to assist in aligning the injection site and ensuring proper dose delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual force is used to drive medicament through needle, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required continuous pressing and alignment dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pressing with an automated motor-driven plunger mechanism. The motor actuator automatically translates the plunger to push the syringe from retracted to extended position and subsequently pushes the stopper to deliver medicament, eliminating the need for continuous manual pressing and improving ease of operation while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection device performs self-alignment and self-positioning functions through automated control systems. The motor actuator automatically controls the timing and sequence of syringe extension and medicament delivery without requiring user coordination, and the contact sensor automatically detects injection site contact, enabling the device to service itself during the injection process.
2Ease of operation
If spring-based autoinjector is used, then ease of operation improves, but additional functionality such as alignment verification is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single motorized platform that can perform both simple automated injection (similar to spring-based devices) and advanced functions including alignment verification via contact sensors, temperature monitoring, and controlled medicament delivery. The motor actuator serves multiple purposes: positioning the syringe, delivering medicament, and controlling injection timing, thereby providing versatility while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic motor-controlled system that can adapt its operation mode based on detected conditions. The motor actuator can adjust its motion profile based on feedback from contact sensors and temperature sensors, enabling the device to transition between different operational states (e.g., alignment phase, injection phase, completion phase) and providing additional functionality while maintaining user-friendly operation.
3Measurement precision
If contact sensor and motorized actuator are added, then alignment verification and feedback are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates contact sensors that detect when the injection device is properly positioned on the injection site and provide feedback signals to the control system. The motor actuator receives this feedback and automatically adjusts its operation accordingly, enabling precise alignment verification. The feedback mechanism is integrated into the existing motor control architecture, minimizing additional complexity while significantly improving measurement precision for alignment verification.
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 system simplifies the injection process by providing mechanical assistance, alignment verification, and feedback mechanisms, making it easier for patients with limited dexterity to administer accurate and complete injections.
Implementation Method 1
a retraction spring disposed in the housing and biasing the syringe in the retracted position
Implementation Method 2
a motor adapted to translate the plunger
Implementation Method 3
a contact sensor disposed on a contact surface of the housing. The contact sensor is adapted to generate a signal when the contact surface is placed on an injection site
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a medicament cartridge comprising a housing having open proximal and distal ends, a first coupling mechanism, and a syringe slidably disposed in the housing. The syringe includes a needle and has a retracted position in which the needle is covered by the housing and an extended position in which the needle is exposed. A delivery device comprises the medicament cartridge, an actuator comprising a plunger, a motor adapted to translate the plunger, a second coupling mechanism adapted to detachably engage the first coupling mechanism, and a control button adapted to actuate the motor. A carrier comprises a first slot for at least partially containing the actuator, a second slot for at least partially containing the medicament cartridge, a user interface adapted to provide at least one a visual signal and an audible signal.