Powered Injector for Safe Self-Administration of Hazardous Agents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for administering hazardous agents, such as cytotoxic drugs, face challenges including increased toxicity, variable bioavailability, and the impracticality of self-injection due to the risk of accidental exposure and the need for trained personnel, especially when higher dosages are required.

Innovation Solution

Development of powered injectors that allow for safe self-administration of hazardous agents within 5 seconds, featuring needle-assisted or needle-free delivery, with mechanisms to control needle exposure and minimize syringe movement, and include a pre-filled syringe or cartridge system for quick and controlled injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If subcutaneous injection of hazardous agents is performed by patients at home, then ease of operation and convenience are improved, but safety and risk of accidental exposure deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of self-injectionVSAvoidrisk of accidental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device - a powered injector system with automated needle deployment and retraction mechanisms. This intermediary system performs the hazardous injection function while protecting the user from direct exposure to the hazardous agent, thereby enabling ease of operation while mitigating safety risks through automated containment and delivery mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The powered injector system is designed to perform the injection function automatically without requiring manual manipulation of the hazardous agent or injection components. The system self-deploys needles, self-administers the hazardous agent, and self-retracts components, allowing patients to perform self-injection while the system handles the hazardous aspects, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual syringe injection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but injection precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of injection deviceVSAvoidinjection accuracy and consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical syringe operation with an automated powered injector system that uses controlled mechanical actuation. The powered system provides consistent, repeatable injection forces and precise needle deployment/retraction timing, improving injection reliability while the automated nature reduces the complexity of manual operation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The powered injector incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that adjust injection parameters in real-time. The system dynamically controls needle deployment timing, injection rate, and needle retraction based on predetermined protocols, providing reliable and consistent injection performance while managing device complexity through automated control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If higher dosages of hazardous agents are administered, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but toxicity and harmful effects worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The powered injector acts as an intermediary delivery system that enables precise administration of higher dosages. By providing controlled, accurate delivery mechanisms with automated dose verification, the system allows patients to receive higher therapeutic doses while the controlled delivery minimizes harmful effects through precise dosing and reduced manual handling of hazardous materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If formal training and precautions are implemented, then safety is improved, but ease of operation and practical feasibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of injectionVSAvoidpracticality of self-injection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The powered injector system is designed to perform all safety-critical functions automatically without requiring user training. The system self-verifies dosing, self-deploys needles with controlled precision, and self-manages hazardous agent containment. This self-service capability provides reliable safety while eliminating the need for formal training, thereby improving ease of operation for patients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 safe and reliable self-injection of hazardous agents by patients, reducing the risk of accidental exposure and ensuring predictable bioavailability, while minimizing syringe shock and needle hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a firing mechanism configured to expel the hazardous agent from the fluid chamber through the delivery member for injecting the hazardous agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20250295671A1Hazardous Agent Injection System

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 ANTARES PHARMA INC

AI summary

Injection systems comprising a powered injector and one or more hazardous agents are disclosed.