Needleless Inoculation Apparatus Pneumatic Plunger Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transdermal inoculation apparatuses for livestock are complex, costly, and inefficient, with unpredictable medicament delivery and high operational complexity, particularly in rural settings where high-pressure gas supply is unavailable, and they often require multiple triggers and large dimensions, making them difficult to use and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A compact, mono-body apparatus with coaxial chambers and springs, utilizing compressed air to drive a plunger for precise medicament delivery, eliminating the need for needles and manual effort, with adjustable force settings for varying animal sizes and types, and integrated air supply for cost-effective operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If needleless transdermal inoculation is performed using compressed gas discharge thrust, then the complexity and cost of the apparatus is reduced, but the effectiveness and repeatability of inoculation becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compressed gas reservoir that stores pressurized gas to provide a controlled thrust force for driving the plunger and delivering medicament through the skin. This pneumatic system replaces complex mechanical spring mechanisms while maintaining predictable and repeatable inoculation effectiveness through controlled gas discharge.
2Power
If high-pressure inert gas supply is used to drive the plunger, then transdermal inoculation can be achieved, but the cost and operational complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges a reservoir with compressed gas before use. This preliminary action stores the necessary pneumatic energy in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time high-pressure gas generation systems during operation and reducing both cost and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed gas reservoir serves multiple functions: it stores energy, provides controlled thrust, and can be refilled or replaced independently. This self-contained design reduces dependency on external high-pressure gas infrastructure, simplifying operation in remote locations.
3Ease of operation
If multiple triggers and control valves are used for fluid supply and discharge, then precise control of medicament injection is achieved, but the apparatus dimensions and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the control valve and trigger mechanism into a single unified control system. The operator pulls one trigger that simultaneously controls both the discharge of compressed gas and the delivery of medicament, eliminating the need for separate triggers and reducing apparatus complexity and size.
4Extent of automation
If springs are arranged in opposite positions to house the phial, then the apparatus can be rearmed mechanically, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical spring-based arming mechanisms with a simpler pneumatic system. Compressed gas automatically rearms the plunger mechanism after each injection, eliminating the need for manually arranged springs in opposite positions and significantly simplifying the overall structure for easier manufacturing and maintenance.
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
The apparatus ensures precise, efficient, and cost-effective transdermal inoculation with reduced operator fatigue, improved precision, and enhanced safety by eliminating needle risks, reducing stress on animals and operators, and simplifying maintenance and production processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first, rear, chamber (111) of given diameter... for supplying to the first chamber (111) compressed air acting in a direction opposite to the direction of inoculation and firing
Implementation Method 2
the other end of which acts against a corresponding outer bearing surface (116a) of a hollow piston (116)... a firing spring (153), the other end of which reacts against a member (154) for closing the rear of the nipple
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Apparatus for needleless transdermal inoculation of medicaments, having a spring driven plunger (150) and an arming mechanism comprising a pneumatically moved piston (116, 119) and a ball lock mechanism (117, 118) which automatically releases the plunger such that it can move under the bias of the spring when the firing spring (153) has been fully cocked.