Pen-Shaped Medication Injection Device with Self-Locking Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery devices for medications, such as insulin, lack adaptability to various user needs, including reusable and disposable features, ease of use for the elderly and physically challenged, and protection from dust and dirt, while also being cumbersome and potentially delivering incomplete doses due to mechanical limitations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid delivery device with a self-locking mechanism, concentric housing-tubes and dose-drums, a flexible locking bush, and a direct mechanical drive system that provides tactile and auditory feedback, reduces user force requirement, and includes a magnifying lens for numeral readability, with components designed for easy assembly and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional fluid delivery device is designed with a simple mechanical drive system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of complete dose delivery deteriorates due to mechanical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the drive shaft's rotation is directly coupled to the piston rod's movement through a mechanical linkage. The system provides tactile feedback to the user during operation and includes features like a ratchet mechanism that ensures the piston rod moves only in the intended direction, preventing backflow and ensuring complete dose delivery. The direct mechanical drive eliminates intermediate components that could fail, while the feedback loop ensures reliable operation.
2Shape
If the device is designed to be compact and portable like a pen, then the ease of carrying is improved, but the protection from dust and dirt deteriorates due to limited enclosure space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the cartridge is housed within the pen body, and the drive mechanism is integrated into the same space. The cartridge holder can be removed and replaced, creating a sealed environment when assembled. The cap covers the needle assembly and creates a protective barrier. This nested arrangement maximizes protection within the compact pen form factor, preventing dust and dirt from entering the internal mechanisms while maintaining portability.
3Ease of operation
If the device uses a direct mechanical drive system with reduced user force requirement, then the ease of operation is improved for elderly and physically challenged users, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a dynamic mechanical advantage system where the drive shaft converts rotational motion into linear motion of the piston rod through a threaded or cam mechanism. This dynamic transformation allows a small rotational force applied by the user to generate a larger linear force on the piston, reducing the effort required. The mechanism automatically adjusts the force multiplication during operation, providing ease of use for elderly and physically challenged users while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed with reusable and disposable features for adaptability, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple configuration options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pen body and drive mechanism as universal components that can work with different cartridge types. The cartridge holder is designed with a standardized interface that accommodates various cartridge configurations. The drive shaft and piston rod assembly can function with both reusable cartridges that are cleaned and refilled, as well as disposable cartridges that are discarded after use. This universal design provides adaptability for different user needs and settings while maintaining a relatively simple and unified device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a delivery device comprising a fluid cartridge holder, housing and a piston drive mechanism that comprises a hollow piston rod and a drive-shaft. The hollow piston rod has an internal thread that mates with the external thread of the drive-shaft, forming a thread connection and being axially restrained in the proximal direction relative to the housing. The drive mechanism is in turn connected to the housing via a one way ratchet such that the piston rod is prevented from moving in the proximal direction.