Prefilled Disposable Injection Device with Passive Safety Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional syringes are costly due to glass container manufacturing and filling processes, and they can be refilled and reused, posing risks of disease transmission and accidental needle sticks.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device with a passive safety shield system that automatically deploys after use, preventing re-use and incorporating a unique Belleville spring geometry to prevent refilling, ensuring safety and reducing costs by eliminating the need for reprocessing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional syringes are used, then they can be refilled and reused, but this increases the risk of disease transmission and accidental needle sticks
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is pre-positioned in a retracted state within the syringe body, ready to deploy automatically when the plunger is actuated. This preliminary positioning ensures that the protective shield is prepared in advance without requiring additional user action or complex mechanical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe system performs the shielding action automatically through its own operational mechanism. When the plunger is pushed to deliver the drug, the same motion triggers the shield to extend and cover the needle, making the system self-protecting without external intervention or separate safety mechanisms.
2Reliability
If glass containers are used for pre-filled syringes, then the drug can be stored, but the manufacturing and filling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable plastic syringe body that replaces expensive glass containers. The plastic construction is sufficiently robust for single-use drug storage and delivery, eliminating the need for costly glass manufacturing and filling operations while maintaining adequate drug storage capability for the intended single-dose application.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the glass container component entirely from the syringe system, replacing it with a plastic body. This extraction eliminates the complex manufacturing and filling processes associated with glass containers, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining the essential drug storage function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a passive shield system is added to protect against needle sticks, then user safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield deployment mechanism is merged with the plunger actuation mechanism. The same force that drives the plunger to deliver the drug also triggers the shield to extend and protect the needle. This merging eliminates the need for separate actuators, motors, or control systems, keeping the device mechanically simple while providing effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger serves multiple functions: it delivers the drug by pushing it through the needle, and simultaneously triggers the shield deployment by its motion. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving both drug delivery and needle protection objectives.
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 device provides a safe, cost-effective solution by preventing re-use and accidental needle sticks, while minimizing residual drug volume and avoiding 'suck-back' issues, thus enhancing user safety and reducing healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
The drug container comprises at least one bellow, wherein in the at least one bellow comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first surface is comprised of a first Belleville spring and the opposing second surface is comprised of a second Belleville spring
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to drug delivery systems that cannot be reloaded or reused and further include a passive safety shield system. The drug delivery devices described herein comprise a drug container comprising at least one bellow, wherein the at least one bellow comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first surface is comprised of a first Belleville spring and the opposing second surface is comprised of a second Belleville spring, wherein the second Belleville spring has a higher spring rate than the first Belleville spring; or a drug container extending between distal and proximal ends, and comprises a continuous change in cross section from proximal end to distal end; a needle, wherein the needle is in liquid communication with the drug container; a plunger extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plunger is in communication with the drug container and where upon axial movement of the punger, the drug container is compressed; a main body extending between a proximal end and a distal end and comprising an inner body and an outer body, wherein the inner body houses the plunger and the drug container and the outer body is capable of sliding over the inner body and extending past the needle; and a spring located between the inner body and the outer body for urging the outer body to slide over the inner body and extend past the needle.