Needle Cover Activation Preventer for Self-Injection Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current insulin infusion devices face challenges such as high cost, discomfort, and complexity, particularly with infusion pumps, and existing wearable devices suffer from patient discomfort, compatibility issues, and potential malfunctions due to premature activation.

Innovation Solution

A patch-like infusion device with a rotor mechanism and needle cover that prevents premature activation, using microneedles for minimal discomfort and incorporating a safety mechanism to prevent accidental needle exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a rotor mechanism is used to activate the device, then precision dosing and programmable delivery schedules are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is pre-configured with dosage information and activation positions before use. The device is manufactured with the rotor already set to deliver precise dosing schedules, eliminating the need for complex programming by the user while maintaining precision dosing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the needle cover is made movable to enable activation, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of premature activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidactivation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The needle cover incorporates a tab that protrudes into the rotor's path, creating a preliminary blocking action that prevents rotor movement and device activation until the cover is intentionally removed. This anti-action mechanism counteracts any accidental movements and ensures reliable activation control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fine-gauge injection needles are used, then patient discomfort is reduced, but manufacturing precision and needle penetration depth control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient discomfortVSAvoidneedle penetration depth control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A drive mechanism acts as an intermediary between the rotor and the fine-gauge needle, providing controlled force transmission. This intermediary system enables precise penetration depth control through mechanical coupling, allowing the use of fine-gauge needles while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2611478B1Self-injection device having needle cover with activation preventer

Publication Date: 2022.08.17 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

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AI summary

A drug delivery device, including a body ( 104, 116) having a reservoir (160) disposed therein for containing a medicament and an injection needle (152) for penetrating the skin of a patient, the needle (152) providing a path for the medicament between the reservoir (160) and the patient. The device also includes a rotor (580) rotatably disposed in the body (104, 116) for activating the device upon rotation of the rotor (580), a needle cover (112) for covering the injection needle, and a needle cover clip (560) disposed on the needle cover (112) to rotate from a first position preventing rotor rotation to a second position permitting rotor rotation.