Medicament Delivery Power Pack Assembly Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices face issues with the reliability of coupling mechanisms between cartridge and plunger carriers, leading to potential damage and improper function due to wear or misalignment, which complicates self-administration by patients without medical training.
Innovation Solution
A robust power pack assembly with a simplified coupling mechanism using a flexible member and resilient member, where the plunger pusher is releasably connected to the container carrier unit, allowing for distal and proximal movement, and featuring a programmable stop condition controlled by sensors to ensure reliable medicament delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rubber transfer instrument is used as an independent coupling element between cartridge carrier and plunger carrier, then the coupling mechanism can be implemented, but the transfer instrument may become damaged or loose after long time use, causing it to get stuck and damage the medicament delivery device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the independent rubber transfer instrument from the system and integrates its coupling function directly into the plunger carrier through a recess structure. This eliminates the separate transfer element that was prone to damage and getting stuck, while maintaining the coupling functionality between cartridge carrier and plunger carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling function previously performed by the separate rubber transfer instrument is merged into the plunger carrier structure itself. The recess in the plunger carrier directly engages with the cartridge carrier, combining the carrier and coupling elements into a single integrated component, thereby eliminating wear and loosening issues of separate elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If an extra transfer instrument element is used to couple cartridge carrier and plunger carrier, then coupling can be achieved, but precise calculation of tolerances is required for all involved elements, otherwise the transfer instrument may become stuck or compressed such that coupling cannot perform properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separate transfer instrument element and its associated tolerance requirements. By integrating the coupling function into the plunger carrier recess, the system removes the need for precise tolerance calculations between multiple separate elements, simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the coupling function into the plunger carrier structure, the patent reduces the number of independent elements requiring tolerance coordination. The integrated recess-direct-engagement system requires fewer precision tolerances compared to a multi-element coupling mechanism with a separate transfer instrument.
3Reliability
If the transfer instrument is compressed between cartridge carrier and plunger carrier, then coupling may be maintained, but the cartridge carrier and plunger carrier may move together instead of allowing proper relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compressible rubber transfer instrument that caused movement restrictions. The direct engagement through the recess allows the cartridge carrier and plunger carrier to move relative to each other without compression interference, enabling proper operational movement while maintaining coupling stability through the recess geometry.
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 solution enhances the reliability and ease of use of medicament delivery devices by preventing damage and ensuring precise control over the medicament delivery process, improving safety and usability for self-administration by patients.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling element is spring biased in an automatic returnable fashion to an initial position
Data Source
AI summary
A power pack assembly for a medicament delivery device is presented having a housing extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal and a distal end, a container carrier unit arranged longitudinally and bi-directionally movable in relation to the housing, a plunger pusher releasably connected to the container carrier unit, and an actuator unit connected to the plunger pusher, wherein the actuator unit is configured to drive the plunger pusher in a sequence in which the plunger pusher and the container unit are moved together distally relative to the housing until a virtual distal stop is met. Proximal movement of the plunger pusher causes the container carrier unit to interact with a proximal stop element of the housing whereby the plunger pusher is released from the container carrier unit and the plunger pusher continues to move proximally a further distance.