Needle Array Injector for Dermal Vaccine Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current injection devices are inadequate for delivering vaccines or medicaments to the dermal/epidermal layer, lacking the necessary functionality for safe and reproducible injections by untrained users, and do not incorporate features like advancing and retracting needles in a timed sequence, electroporation, or addressing the immune response to antigens effectively.
Innovation Solution
An auto-injector with a rotatable control member and needle array that moves between retracted and extended positions, featuring oscillatory translational motion, a plunger assembly, and an energy source for electroporation, allowing for precise delivery and suction to enhance immune response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional hypodermic syringes are used for subcutaneous or intramuscular vaccinations, then large volumes of vaccine solution (exceeding 1 ml) can be injected, but this produces localized discomfort and swelling at the injection site, as well as more serious side-effects including fever, chills, and body aches
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device divides the single large-volume injection into multiple smaller injections by using a needle array with multiple needles. Each needle delivers a portion of the total vaccine dose, distributing the volume across multiple injection sites within the dermal/epidermal layer, thereby reducing localized swelling and discomfort while maintaining total dose delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional deep-tissue injection (subcutaneous/intramuscular) to superficial multi-level injection (dermal/epidermal). By targeting the skin layers rather than deep tissue, the device delivers vaccine through a different dimensional approach that avoids the harmful effects of large-volume deep injections while maintaining immunogenicity
2Quantity of substance
If conventional hypodermic syringes are used, then injections can be administered, but they have a dead volume that results in wasted vaccine and require a relatively large amount of vaccine to trigger a suitable immune response
Solution Approach 1:
The device eliminates the dead volume problem by using a needle array with multiple thin needles that have minimal internal volume. The vaccine is delivered directly through the needle array into the skin layers, extracting the harmful dead volume from the injection system and ensuring nearly 100% of the administered vaccine reaches the target tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the delivery parameters by using multiple small needles instead of a single large needle, delivering vaccine in a distributed pattern across the dermal/epidermal layer. This parameter change allows for more efficient vaccine utilization and reduced total amount needed while maintaining effective immune stimulation
3Productivity
If conventional syringes are used, then injections can be administered, but they must be administered by a trained nurse, pharmacist, doctor etc., thereby limiting the number of people that can be vaccinated in a short period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed for self-administration by laypeople without specialized training. The automated needle array mechanism, combined with simple user instructions, enables individuals to perform vaccinations independently, dramatically increasing the number of people who can be vaccinated simultaneously and eliminating the bottleneck of trained personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates automated mechanical systems that dynamically control needle insertion, vaccine delivery, and needle retraction. The programmable control system adapts the injection parameters automatically, replacing the need for trained operators to manually control these complex operations while maintaining consistent, reliable delivery
4Ease of operation
If conventional syringes are used, then injections can be administered, but they cause patient anxiety due to fear of needles
Solution Approach 1:
The single large needle is segmented into multiple thin needles arranged in an array. This segmentation reduces the visual impact and perceived trauma of each individual needle insertion, making the procedure less frightening for patients while maintaining effective vaccine delivery through the collective action of multiple needles
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a single deep-tissue injection to a distributed superficial injection pattern across the skin surface. This dimensional change creates a more gradual, less intimidating insertion process that reduces patient anxiety while achieving the same immunological effect through distributed dermal/epidermal delivery
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
Enables efficient, reproducible, and safe injections into the epidermal or dermal tissue, ensuring the full dose is delivered with enhanced immune response stimulation, reducing discomfort and side effects.
Implementation Method 1
second means configured to produce an oscillatory translational motion of the needle array when the needle array is in the extended position
Implementation Method 2
an energy source for electroporation, allowing for precise delivery and suction to enhance immune response
Implementation Method 3
allowing for precise delivery and suction to enhance immune response
Data Source
AI summary
An injector is disclosed for injecting an injectable substance into at least one of the epidermal tissue and the dermal tissue of a subject. The injector includes an outer housing and a control member disposed within the outer housing. A needle head, which is configured to support a plurality of needles, is operatively coupled to the control member. First means are provided in communication with the control member and are configured to be driven by the control member for converting a movement of the control member into a movement of the needle head along an injection direction and toward an injecting position of the needle head. Second means are configured to move the needle head in a direction having a component that is normal to the injection direction and absent movement of the outer housing relative to the skin of the subject.