Multi-orifice Cannula for Subcutaneous Medicament Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

The administration of high doses of monoclonal antibodies via subcutaneous injection faces challenges with back pressure limitations, leading to potential pain or leakage, especially with larger injection volumes, which existing technologies struggle to manage effectively using standard syringe formats.

Innovation Solution

The design of a cannula with strategically positioned orifices along its length, allowing for broader distribution of the medicament, which reduces local pressure and enables the delivery of larger volumes in shorter times with lower injection forces, using standard needle and syringe options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a standard syringe with a single orifice needle is used for subcutaneous injection of large volumes, then the injection equipment remains simple and standard, but back pressure increases causing pain or leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection equipment simplicityVSAvoidback pressure in subcutaneous tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The single orifice at the needle tip is segmented into multiple orifices distributed along the cannula wall. This segmentation allows the injectate to disperse through multiple pathways simultaneously, reducing the pressure concentration at any single point and enabling larger volume delivery without excessive back pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The injection pathway is extended from a single focal point at the tip to a distributed arrangement along the length of the cannula. By positioning orifices at multiple locations (e.g., proximal, middle, and distal segments), the injection process transitions from a point-source to a line-source distribution, reducing local pressure buildup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the injection rate is reduced to manage back pressure, then pain and leakage are minimized, but injection time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain and leakageVSAvoidinjection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple orifices enable parallel fluid discharge pathways, allowing the total injection volume to be delivered simultaneously through several openings. This parallelization maintains a high overall flow rate while keeping the pressure at each individual orifice within comfortable limits, avoiding both pain and leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The orifice geometry parameters (size, shape, and distribution) are optimized to achieve the desired flow characteristics. By adjusting the number, size, and spacing of orifices along the cannula, the system achieves a balance between flow rate and pressure that enables fast injection without discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single orifice is used at the needle tip, then the cannula structure remains simple, but the medicament distribution is concentrated and causes high local pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula structure simplicityVSAvoidlocal pressure at injection site

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The single concentrated orifice is segmented into multiple distributed orifices along the cannula wall. This segmentation transforms the concentrated pressure into distributed pressure across multiple injection sites, reducing the peak local pressure while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the cannula wall are given different functional qualities by placing orifices at specific locations. The proximal, middle, and distal orifices create localized injection zones that collectively distribute the medicament more evenly through the subcutaneous tissue, reducing pressure concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Stress or pressure

If multiple orifices are added along the cannula wall, then medicament distribution is improved and pressure is reduced, but the cannula design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal pressure distributionVSAvoidcannula design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula is segmented into multiple functional sections with orifices at strategic locations. This segmentation achieves improved pressure distribution and medicament dispersion while maintaining a relatively simple overall design that can still be manufactured using conventional techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-orifice cannula design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes medicament along the insertion path, reduces back pressure, and can be integrated with standard syringe systems. This multi-functionality justifies the increased design complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single device modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230114337A1Alternative cannula configurations to control fluid distribution in tissue

Publication Date: 2023.04.13 MERCK SHARP & DOHME LLC

AI summary

A cannula for subcutaneous dispensing of medicaments, wherein the cannula has a cannula wall, a distal end and a proximal end and wherein the cannula comprises a single orifice in the cannula wall, proximal to the distal end of the cannula or two or more orifices in the cannula wall, proximal to the distal end of the cannula.