Needle Assembly Priming Mechanism for Medication Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medication delivery devices often fail to administer the correct dose due to the piston not aligning with the bung before first use, leading to incorrect dosing, as users frequently neglect to prime the device before initial use.
Innovation Solution
A needle assembly with a button element that moves from a starting to a second position to prime the device, puncturing the cartridge membrane and relieving pressure, featuring a medication trapping means and a resistance element to slow down the priming process, ensuring the needle assembly is securely attached before priming and detachable afterward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device is used without priming before first use, then the operation is simpler and faster, but the dosing accuracy deteriorates because the piston does not align with the bung
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs a priming action before first use by detecting when the cartridge is newly inserted and activating the drive mechanism to move the piston against the bung, establishing proper alignment before actual dosing begins. This preliminary action ensures dosing accuracy without requiring manual priming by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The device monitors its own state through sensors detecting piston position and bung alignment, and automatically corrects misalignment by activating the drive mechanism when needed. The system self-regulates to ensure proper positioning without external intervention, maintaining dosing accuracy while simplifying user operation.
2Device complexity
If the piston does not align with the bung before first use, then the device structure remains simple, but the dosing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors detect the relative positions of the piston and bung, providing feedback to the control system. When misalignment is detected, the system automatically activates the drive mechanism to correct the position, ensuring reliable dosing through continuous monitoring and adjustment without adding significant structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with electronic sensors and a controlled drive system. Instead of using intricate mechanical linkages to ensure piston-bung alignment, the invention uses electronic detection and controlled actuation, reducing mechanical complexity while improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If manual priming is required before first use, then the dosing accuracy is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional user steps
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs the priming function by detecting when a new cartridge is installed and when the piston needs to be positioned against the bung. The system self-activates the drive mechanism to complete the priming action without requiring the user to manually perform this step, maintaining dosing accuracy while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs the necessary priming action automatically as part of its initialization sequence when first used. By detecting the new cartridge state and automatically positioning the piston against the bung before dosing begins, the system eliminates the need for manual priming while ensuring dosing accuracy is maintained.
4Productivity
If the piston moves without lying against the bung, then the device operation is simpler, but the dose delivery accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor the piston position and bung alignment, providing feedback to the control system. When the piston is detected to be misaligned with the bung, the system automatically activates the drive mechanism to correct the position, ensuring accurate dose delivery while maintaining efficient operation through automated correction rather than manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical adjustment with electronic sensing and controlled actuation. The system uses sensors to detect piston-bung alignment and an electronically controlled drive mechanism to correct misalignment, replacing complex manual mechanical procedures with a simpler electronic control system that maintains both speed and accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A needle assembly has distal and proximal ends. The needle assembly comprises a body element having distal and proximal ends, an attachment means configured to be attached to a medication delivery device, a button element which is movable from a first position to a second position, and a needle configured to move to the distal direction, when the button element is moved from the first position to the second position.