Protective case for an auto-injector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective cases for auto-injectors fall short in providing adequate portability, thermal protection, and user convenience, leading to patient anxiety and device susceptibility to environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A protective auto-injector case featuring a vacuum-sealed chamber with a thermal isolation system, adaptable design for low and high aspect ratios, and additional thermal barriers, along with attachment mechanisms for increased portability and usability, including IoT functionality for monitoring and connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional protective cases are used for auto-injectors, then basic protection is provided, but thermal protection and portability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective case is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer shell for structural protection, a vacuum insulation layer for thermal protection, and an inner chamber for device containment. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, achieving excellent thermal protection without significantly increasing overall size, thus maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auto-injector device is nested within an inner chamber, which is itself nested within the vacuum insulation layer, which is nested within the outer shell. This nested structure maximizes thermal protection efficiency while minimizing the overall footprint of the protective case, resolving the contradiction between thermal protection and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If protective cases are designed for thermal isolation, then device integrity is maintained, but portability and user convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integrityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective case utilizes a thin-film vacuum insulation structure that provides excellent thermal isolation and device integrity protection while maintaining a compact, portable form factor. The flexible shell design allows the case to be lightweight and easy to carry, resolving the contradiction between reliability and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If vacuum sealed chambers are implemented for thermal protection, then temperature susceptibility is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature susceptibilityVSAvoidcase structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum sealed chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: thermal insulation, structural protection, and moisture barrier. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving excellent temperature susceptibility protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If adaptable design for different aspect ratios is implemented, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different devicesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective case employs adjustable and reconfigurable internal components that can be dynamically adapted to accommodate different auto-injector aspect ratios. The modular design allows the same basic case structure to be configured for various device sizes and shapes, achieving versatility without requiring completely different manufacturing processes for each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances the durability and usability of auto-injector devices by providing thermal isolation, improved portability, and user convenience through a versatile and connected protective case that maintains device integrity and accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

The protective case may include two vacuum sealed chambers forming an enclosure around the device, to provide thermal protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The pressure in each of the vacuum chambers may be set to reduce the rate of, heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11324882B2Protective case for an auto-injector

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 PIROUETTE PHARMA INC

AI summary

The application describes a protective case for an auto-injector. The medicament contained within these auto-injectors can be susceptible to degradation due to exposure to extreme temperatures and light. Thus, one embodiment of the protective case reduces the rate of heat transfer between the internal storage compartment of the case and the external atmosphere by including particularly configured vacuum chambers. Additionally, as auto-injectors become smaller, portability can be desirable. Thus, another embodiment of the protective case includes low-profile cases that allow the user to keep the auto-injector with them, e.g., by attaching the case to a common everyday item.