Multi-Cartridge Injection Cassette With Cross-Element Drug Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering combination therapies face challenges such as formulation and analytical complexity, medication errors, inventory management issues, patient burden, and lack of flexibility in dosing, particularly for biologic drugs that require subcutaneous delivery.
Innovation Solution
A radially adjustable multi-cartridge combinatorial drug delivery device that allows for flexible and sequential administration of multiple drugs from separate cartridges, using a cross element and drive member mechanism to align and expel drugs in a controlled manner, enabling subcutaneous delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drugs are co-formulated into fixed ratio combinations in a solution, then formulation stability and drug potency are maintained, but formulation complexity and analytical method development challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the combination therapy into separate single-agent pre-filled cartridges, each containing a single drug in its own stable formulation. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex co-formulation while maintaining individual drug potency and stability. Each cartridge is independently formulated and sealed, then loaded into the multi-cartridge device for sequential or simultaneous administration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drugs are compounded together from single-agent formulations in a pharmacy, then dosing flexibility is maintained, but medication error risk and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drugs are pre-prepared in separate single-agent pre-filled cartridges with predetermined doses, eliminating the need for pharmacy compounding operations. The cartridges are manufactured under controlled conditions with quality assurance, then assembled into the multi-cartridge device. This preliminary action transfers the complexity from pharmacy operations to manufacturing, where it can be better controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-cartridge device includes automated mechanisms for cartridge loading, drug delivery sequencing, and dose control. The device itself manages the complexity of coordinating multiple drugs, reducing the burden on pharmacy personnel and minimizing manual errors in drug preparation and administration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate injections are administered for combination therapy, then dosing flexibility is maintained, but patient burden and treatment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple single-agent pre-filled cartridges are merged into a single multi-cartridge device that can administer all drugs through one injection site. The device coordinates the delivery of multiple drugs sequentially or simultaneously through a single needle insertion, reducing patient burden while maintaining individual dose control for each drug.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-cartridge device enables continuous drug delivery without requiring the patient to withdraw the needle between injections. The device automatically sequences the administration of multiple drugs through a single continuous injection process, eliminating treatment interruptions and reducing overall treatment time.
4Ease of operation
If a single injection delivers multiple drugs, then patient burden is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components: multiple independent pre-filled cartridges, a cartridge loading mechanism, a plunger system for each cartridge, and a control unit. This modular architecture manages complexity by breaking down the system into manageable, interchangeable parts that can be manufactured separately and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-cartridge device is designed with universal mechanisms that can accommodate different cartridge types and drug formulations. The plunger system, control unit, and injection mechanism are engineered to work with various single-agent cartridges, reducing the need for device variants and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the present invention, a drug delivery device is provided for delivering drug from a plurality of drug cartridges to a patient, wherein, in an initial state, each of the drug cartridges includes at least one drug contained in the body between a stopper and a septum thereof. The drug delivery device includes: a cylindrical cassette configured to accommodate the plurality of drug cartridges; a reversibly advanceable plunger; a first shaft having a cross element mounted thereto, the first shaft coupled to the cassette so that rotation of the cross element results in corresponding rotation of the cassette to align the plurality of drug cartridges individually with the plunger, the plunger being advanceable to urge the stopper of the aligned drug cartridge towards the septum of the aligned drug cartridge. Advantageously, the subject invention provides an arrangement for reversibly adjusting the drug cartridges in various fixed increments.