Needle-less Injection Mechanism with Dynamic Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle-less injection devices face challenges in delivering fluids subcutaneously or intradermally, as they often require high pressures to penetrate the skin, leading to uneven dispersion and potential trauma, with fluids tending to penetrate deeply rather than spreading laterally in the dermal layer.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism using a hammer-driven plunger system with compressed air to initially deliver fluid at high pressure to penetrate the epidermis, followed by reduced pressure to facilitate lateral dispersion in the dermal layer, ensuring even distribution and minimizing deep penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high pressure is applied to penetrate the epidermis, then the fluid can enter the skin, but the fluid penetrates deeply into subcutaneous and muscle layers instead of spreading laterally in the dermal layer
Solution Approach 1:
The injection process is divided into two distinct phases: an initial high-pressure phase to penetrate the epidermis and create a penetration hole, followed by a reduced-pressure phase to allow lateral dispersion in the dermal layer. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure applied during injection is made dynamic rather than static. The system transitions from high pressure during initial penetration to reduced pressure during subsequent lateral dispersion. This dynamic pressure control enables the fluid to first penetrate the epidermis effectively and then spread laterally in the dermal layer as intended.
2Reliability
If high pressure is applied to deliver fluid, then the fluid penetrates the epidermis, but the fluid disperses unevenly and may traumatize the dermal layer
Solution Approach 1:
The injection process is segmented into penetration phase (high pressure) and dispersion phase (reduced pressure). By separating these functions temporally, the system achieves reliable epidermis penetration without causing excessive dermal trauma during the dispersion phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by creating a penetration hole in the epidermis at high pressure before delivering the main fluid dose at reduced pressure. This preliminary penetration action eliminates the need for continuous high pressure during the entire injection process, thereby reducing potential dermal trauma.
3Reliability
If high pressure is applied to ensure fluid delivery, then the fluid penetrates the skin, but the fluid does not spread out evenly over a wide area
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure is made dynamic, transitioning from high pressure during initial delivery to reduced pressure during lateral dispersion. This dynamic adjustment ensures the fluid is delivered reliably at first, then spreads evenly across the dermal layer without concentration issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure parameter is changed during the injection process. The system starts with high pressure to ensure fluid delivery through the epidermis, then reduces pressure to facilitate even lateral spreading in the dermal layer, optimizing both delivery and distribution.
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
This approach allows for effective, controlled delivery of fluids into the dermal layer, enhancing dispersion and reducing the risk of deep penetration, thereby improving the efficacy of medical and aesthetic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
using compressed air to thrust said hammer toward said plunger and to continue pushing said plunger with said hammer
Implementation Method 2
the initial impact of the hammer head, by its kinetic energy, causes the plunger to push fluid from the nozzle at a high pressure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A needle-less fluid injection mechanism, including: a nozzle head for accepting a dose of fluid to be injected into the skin of a patient; a plunger that is adapted to be pushed into the nozzle to inject the dose of fluid from the nozzle; a hammer that is adapted to be thrust at and to collide with the plunger to cause the release of a first amount of fluid from the nozzle at a high pressure and then to release the rest of the fluid from the nozzle by continuing to push said plunger at a lower pressure until injecting the entire dose of fluid.