Reusable Manual Injector Drive Unit with Disposable Cassette
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual injectors are not suitable for patients with compromised manual dexterity, and there is a need for a more environmentally friendly and user-friendly solution that allows for the reuse of components while ensuring ease of use and safety.
Innovation Solution
A manual injector device comprising a reusable manual drive unit and a disposable cassette unit, where the cassette unit can be easily interlocked with the drive unit, featuring a handle for improved grip and a removable needle cap for safety, allowing for the delivery of a drug formulation with reduced risk of syringe shattering and enhanced user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual injectors are designed as single disposable devices, then safety and ease of disposal are improved, but environmental impact worsens and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injector is divided into two separate segments: a reusable manual drive unit and a disposable cassette unit containing the syringe. This segmentation allows the drive unit to be retained and used multiple times, reducing waste, while the cassette unit can be safely disposed of after single use. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling selective disposal of only the contaminated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The design implements discarding and recovering by allowing the reusable drive unit to be retained and used for multiple injections, while only the disposable cassette unit is discarded after single use. This approach recovers valuable components (drive unit, handhold, drive transfer element) and discards only the contaminated parts (cassette, syringe), thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining safety.
2Ease of operation
If manual injectors are designed for patients with compromised manual dexterity, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual drive unit incorporates a handhold with ergonomic features that enable patients with compromised manual dexterity to operate the device independently without assistance. The self-service capability is achieved through the intuitive design of the handhold and the simple manual actuation mechanism, allowing patients to perform the injection procedure themselves despite dexterity limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable manual drive unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different cassette units and syringe types, making it suitable for various patient needs and injection scenarios. The multi-functionality of the drive unit, combined with the disposable cassette, allows the same complex mechanism to serve multiple patients and purposes while maintaining ease of operation for each user.
3Reliability
If the syringe is housed within the injector, then safety is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to retraction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is extracted from the reusable drive unit and placed in a separate disposable cassette unit. This extraction eliminates the need for complex retraction mechanisms while maintaining safety, as the entire cassette with the syringe can be easily removed and disposed of after use. The syringe remains protected within the cassette housing during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe housing is implemented as a disposable cassette unit that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex retraction and cleaning mechanisms required for reusable housings. The disposable nature of the cassette simplifies the overall device operation while maintaining safety through single-use containment.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a manual drive unit for use with a cassette unit comprising a cassette unit housing containing there within a syringe comprising a barrel for containing a volume of a liquid drug formulation; a hollow needle at a front end of the barrel, the hollow needle defining a needle tip for dispensing of the liquid drug formulation; and a plunger that is axially movable within the barrel. The manual drive unit comprises a manual drive unit housing defining a docking cavity and a needle delivery aperture, wherein said docking cavity is arranged for docking receipt of the cassette unit at a docking position; and received by the manual drive unit housing and axially movable relative thereto, a manually operable drive transfer element for transferring axial drive to the plunger of the syringe for moving the plunger into the barrel of the syringe to eject at least part of the volume of liquid drug formulation.