Multi-Dose Auto-Injector with Independent Dual-Needle Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing epinephrine auto-injectors are bulky, cumbersome, and difficult to use, leading to inadequate preparation for life-threatening allergic reactions due to the unavailability of a second dose, and many users fail to carry two injectors, resulting in high emergency care visits.
Innovation Solution
A compact, intuitive, and safe multi-dose auto-injector with a spring-loaded mechanism that allows for manual dispensing of multiple doses from a single vial through a user-friendly activation process, ensuring proper alignment and automatic needle retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing epinephrine auto-injectors are made compact, then ease of carrying is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the needle assembly within the housing, the vial within the housing, and the spring mechanism within the housing. The needle is stored in a retracted position inside the housing and only extends when activation is required. This nested arrangement allows the device to maintain a compact form factor while incorporating all necessary functional components, directly resolving the contradiction between compactness and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional modules: a housing containing the spring mechanism and needle assembly, a separate vial for medication storage, and a safety cap. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled into a compact overall structure. The modular approach reduces perceived complexity by organizing components into clear functional groups while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Ease of manufacture
If the safety cap is positioned on the opposite side of the needle, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but user safety deteriorates due to incorrect injection site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the needle and safety cap on the same side of the device, creating an asymmetric configuration that provides clear visual and spatial cues for correct usage. The needle extends from one end of the housing while the safety cap is positioned at the opposite end, but both are aligned such that the needle and safety cap are accessible from the same direction. This asymmetric arrangement eliminates the confusion of opposite-side positioning while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward linear layout.
3Device complexity
If the needle requires user force and aim for injection, then device simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to improper aim and severe skin tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the spring-loaded mechanism that automatically propels the needle into the injection site without requiring user force or aiming skill. The compressed spring stores energy that is released to drive the needle at the appropriate angle and depth, eliminating the need for user dexterity. The system serves itself by using the spring mechanism to perform the injection action, thereby improving reliability while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing the spring mechanism before use, storing the energy needed for injection in advance. The spring is compressed during device assembly or storage, and this pre-stored energy is then released automatically when the user activates the device. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for user force during the critical injection moment, improving both reliability and ease of use while keeping the device simple.
4Quantity of substance
If a single vial contains multiple doses, then quantity of substance is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inaccurate drug delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical dosing mechanisms with a simpler spring-loaded system that delivers precise doses through controlled mechanical compression. The spring mechanism provides consistent, repeatable force delivery that ensures accurate drug dispensing. By using the spring's elastic properties and controlled compression, the system achieves manufacturing precision without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple separate dosing mechanisms, thereby improving quantity while maintaining precision.
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 ensures easy and safe administration of multiple doses without cross-contamination, reducing the risk of injury and improving user compliance by being compact and easy to use, thus enhancing preparedness for allergic reactions.
Implementation Method 1
A spring-loaded mechanism that allows for manual dispensing of multiple doses from a single vial
Implementation Method 2
compresses the vial to a first extent such that a first dose of the drug is dispensed from the first needle to the user
Data Source
AI summary
A manual multi-dose auto-injector structured to manually dispense multiple discrete doses of a drug is provided with a hollow housing having at least a first housing end and a second housing end. An at least partially compressible vial is disposed in the housing and contains multiple doses of the drug. The vial is in mechanical communication with both housing ends. Each housing end has a needle spring-biasedly disposed in an unactivated configuration and disposed at least partially protruding from the housing end in an activated configuration. Each needle is manually selectively in fluid communication with the vial. Pressing a housing end against a user's body causes its respective needle to move from the unactivated configuration to the activated configuration and compresses the vial to dispense a dose of the drug. Each end/needle operates independent of the other. Post-injection, each needle is locked within the housing.