Resettable Dose Driver Decoupling for Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Resettable drug delivery devices are complex, bulky, and difficult to use due to numerous components, requiring users to disassemble the device to replace cartridges and reset the dose setting mechanism, which is not intuitive and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device with a resettable dose setting mechanism featuring a driver with a first and second component that rotate together during dose setting, but are decoupled during resetting, allowing the first component to move axially and reset the spindle to an initial position, simplifying the resetting process and reducing the number of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a resettable dose setting mechanism is implemented, then the device can be reused after cartridge replacement, but the device complexity increases due to numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is divided into a first component and a second component that can rotate together during dose setting but are decoupled during resetting. This segmentation allows the resetting function to be achieved with simpler mechanical interactions, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reusability
Solution Approach 2:
The first driver component serves multiple functions: it rotates with the second component during dose setting and also functions as the resetting mechanism when decoupled. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated resetting components, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling reusability
2Reliability
If the device structure is made robust with multiple components, then reliability improves, but the device size increases making it bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting function is merged into the existing driver components rather than being implemented as a separate mechanism. The first driver component both drives the spindle during dosing and performs resetting when decoupled, eliminating the need for additional resetting components and reducing device volume while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If the dose setting mechanism requires disassembly for resetting, then component protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs resetting automatically through the decoupling of the first and second driver components without requiring user disassembly. The mechanical design enables the resetting function to be activated simply by removing the cartridge, which automatically triggers the decoupling and resetting sequence, improving ease of operation while maintaining component protection through the controlled decoupling mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A resettable dose setting mechanism for a drug delivery device comprising a driver for driving a spindle of the drug delivery device is provided. Said driver comprises a first component (44; 207) and a second component (46; 212) rotationally coupled to said first component (44; 207). During resetting of said drug delivery device, said first component (44; 207) is rotationally decoupled from said second component (46; 212).