Nested Plunger Mechanism for Automated Medicament Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medicament delivery devices lack the capability for automated mixing of two medicament components, which is necessary for effective administration of certain medicaments.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device with a housing, a container holder, an axially movable plunger, and an energy accumulating member that automatically mixes two medicament components by displacing the plunger along the longitudinal axis, utilizing a biasing arrangement and locking mechanism to store and release energy for mixing and administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a medicament delivery device is designed to administer single-component medicaments, then the device structure remains simple, but it cannot perform automated mixing of two medicament components
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger comprises an inner plunger rod arranged inside the outer plunger rod, creating a nested structure. The inner plunger rod is actuated by a biasing arrangement while the outer plunger rod is actuated by an energy accumulating member. This nested configuration enables dual-component mixing capability without proportionally increasing the overall device volume and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger is segmented into two independent rods (inner and outer) that can be actuated separately. The inner plunger rod handles one medicament component while the outer plunger rod handles the other component, enabling automated mixing functionality through modular, independent actuation mechanisms.
2Extent of automation
If manual mixing operation is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the mixing process cannot be automated
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing arrangement automatically actuates the inner plunger rod to mix the two medicament components without requiring manual intervention. The energy accumulating member stores energy and automatically drives the outer plunger rod, enabling the system to perform the mixing operation autonomously when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing arrangement is pre-loaded with energy in a compressed state before activation. When the device is triggered, this pre-stored energy is released to automatically drive the inner plunger rod, performing the mixing action in advance of medicament administration without requiring real-time manual operation.
3Extent of automation
If energy is stored for plunger actuation, then automated administration is enabled, but the device requires additional energy storage mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The energy accumulating member and biasing arrangement are integrated into a unified plunger actuation system. Both the inner and outer plunger rods are actuated through coordinated energy release from these spring mechanisms, enabling automated administration of mixed medicaments through a combined rather than separate energy storage approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy accumulating member is designed to release stored energy in a controlled sequential manner: first actuating the inner plunger rod for mixing, then actuating the outer plunger rod for medicament administration. This periodic energy release pattern enables automated multi-stage operation without requiring multiple independent energy storage devices.
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 the automated mixing and administration of medicament components, providing a reliable and user-friendly method for injecting or inhaling medicaments in a safe and efficient manner.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing arrangement for actuating the inner plunger rod, and a locking arrangement, in a first state, is arranged to lock the biasing arrangement in an energy storing position, and in a second state, is arranged to release the biasing arrangement from the energy storing position
Implementation Method 2
an energy accumulating member arranged inside the housing. The energy accumulating member is adapted for displacing the plunger along the longitudinal axis towards the proximal end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A medicament delivery device includes a housing, a container holder in the housing, an axially movable plunger, and an energy accumulating member adapted for displacing the plunger. The container holder is configured to accommodate a medicament container that includes a first piston arranged inside an opposite end portion of the container and a second piston arranged inside an intermediate portion of the container. The plunger includes an outer plunger rod, an inner plunger rod at least partially inside the outer plunger rod, a biassing arrangement for actuating the inner plunger rod, and a locking arrangement that, in a first state, locks the biassing arrangement in an energy-storing position and, in a second state, releases the biassing arrangement from the energy-storing position to displace the inner plunger rod into the container holder.