Reusable Injector Pen Architecture for Easy Cartridge Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication delivery devices, such as injector pens, either require the entire device to be discarded after use or involve complex disassembly and reassembly processes, leading to waste and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A medication delivery device comprising a reusable portion with a rack and pinion mechanism and a detachable disposable portion, allowing for easy replacement of spent cartridges and reducing waste by enabling the reusable portion to be reused with fresh cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire injector pen is made disposable, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to complete discarding of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The injector pen is divided into two separable parts: a reusable drive mechanism portion and a disposable cartridge portion. This segmentation allows the expensive, complex drive mechanism to be reused while only the consumable cartridge is discarded, reducing waste while maintaining ease of operation.
2Loss of substance
If the injector pen is made reusable with cartridge replacement, then loss of substance is improved, but device complexity worsens due to disassembly and reassembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components (reusable drive mechanism and disposable cartridge) that connect through simple interfaces, enabling easy replacement without complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge portion is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that is replaced rather than repaired, simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for maintenance of the consumable parts while keeping the expensive drive mechanism reusable.
3Ease of operation
If the disposable cartridge includes all drive mechanisms, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to integration challenges
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the drive mechanism from the cartridge, the manufacturing precision requirements for each component can be optimized independently, avoiding the need for high-precision integration of all components into a single disposable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable drive mechanism is designed with universal interfaces that can work with multiple cartridge types, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining ease of operation and replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A medication delivery device includes a disposable portion and a reusable portion. The disposable portion includes a therapeutic agent delivery assembly, and the therapeutic agent delivery assembly includes a needle. The therapeutic agent delivery assembly is translatable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. The reusable portion includes a first rack and pinion mechanism and a second rack and pinion mechanism. The first rack and pinion mechanism is actuatable to translate the therapeutic agent delivery assembly from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. The second rack and pinion mechanism is actuatable to translate a plunger and thereby cause the therapeutic agent delivery assembly to deliver a therapeutic agent from the needle.