Resettable Autoinjector Drive Unit for Reuse and Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autoinjectors are often single-use devices, contributing to waste and lacking a reliable mechanism for resetting the drive mechanism after use, while also failing to provide a customizable interface between reusable and disposable parts.
Innovation Solution
A resettable autoinjector design with a syringe unit and a releasable drive unit, featuring a plunger rod retention mechanism and a customizable shroud, allowing for separation and recharging of components for reuse, and a shroud made of biopolymers or recyclable materials to reduce environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autoinjectors are designed as single-use devices, then ease of operation and safety are improved, but waste increases and ecological responsibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The autoinjector is divided into separate reusable and disposable parts. The drive mechanism (reusable part) can be separated from the syringe/reservoir assembly (disposable part), allowing the drive mechanism to be reused while the disposable part is discarded after single use, thus reducing waste while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable part is discarded after use while the reusable drive mechanism is recovered and can be refilled or reloaded with new reservoirs, enabling multiple uses of the expensive drive mechanism and reducing overall waste
2Loss of substance
If a two-part or semi-disposable autoinjector is developed, then ecological responsibility and waste reduction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components (drive mechanism and reservoir assembly) that can be easily separated and reconnected, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling reuse of the drive mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable drive mechanism is designed to be universal and can work with multiple different reservoir units, increasing versatility and reducing the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby simplifying the overall system
3Productivity
If the drive mechanism is made reusable, then productivity and ecological responsibility are improved, but reliability and safety may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable reservoir assembly is discarded after use while the drive mechanism is recovered and reused, ensuring that the critical drug delivery component is never reused, thus maintaining safety while enabling productivity through reuse of the drive mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
Separating the reusable drive mechanism from the disposable reservoir assembly ensures that only components that need to be reused are reused, while critical single-use components are discarded, maintaining reliability while improving productivity
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 the reuse of autoinjector components, reducing waste and providing a customizable design while ensuring safety and reliability through a resettable mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The drive mechanism of the autoinjector typically includes a source of drive, such as a motor or strong spring for moving a transfer element
Data Source
AI summary
An autoinjector for automatically dispensing a liquid product through a needle of a prefilled reservoir includes a reservoir unit including a needle cover sleeve and a reservoir holder for guiding a movement of the needle cover sleeve. The autoinjector further includes a drive unit with a plunger rod, a drive spring, a drive chassis for supporting the drive spring and releasably attachable to the reservoir holder. The plunger rod includes a retaining element to retain the plunger rod within the drive unit.