Self-Righting Support for Upright Medicament Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medicament delivery devices with multi-chambers require manual mixing of unstable medicament agents and diluents, leading to potential loss due to gas escape and instability, and are prone to falling or rolling, risking damage.
Innovation Solution
A self-righting device with a support body and mechanical adaptor that automatically orients medicament delivery devices vertically, facilitating mixing, gas escape, and preventing damage by ensuring the device remains upright.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the medicament delivery device is held horizontally during mixing, then the mixing process can be initiated, but gas escape may expel medicament and reduce dose accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The device inverts the normal horizontal holding position during mixing, automatically orienting itself vertically through gravitational self-righting. This inversion prevents gas escape while maintaining ease of operation through automatic positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-positioning through its own weight distribution and gravitational force, automatically orienting vertically without requiring user intervention. The weighted base and curved surface enable the device to self-correct its position during mixing
2Reliability
If the medicament delivery device is left unattended on a horizontal surface, then the user can perform other tasks, but the device may fall or roll away causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The curved base surface with radius of curvature creates a stable self-righting mechanism. When the device is displaced from vertical position, gravity acts on the offset center of gravity to automatically return it to the upright position, preventing falls and rolls without complex active stabilization systems
Solution Approach 2:
The weighted base creates a low center of gravity that acts as a counterbalance, ensuring the device always returns to its stable vertical position. This passive counterweight system provides reliable stability without requiring complex active control mechanisms
3Loss of time
If the medicament delivery device requires manual positioning during priming and mixing, then precise control can be achieved, but user time and effort are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically orients itself vertically during priming and mixing operations through gravitational self-righting. This eliminates the need for manual positioning while reducing the overall time required, as the device rapidly self-corrects to the optimal vertical position without user intervention
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
Improves user experience by ensuring proper mixing and priming of medicament delivery devices, preventing loss due to gas escape and maintaining device stability, enhancing accuracy and ease of handling.
Implementation Method 1
The support body having a mass, a center of gravity and a shape such that the self-righting device, when positioned on a substantially horizontal surface, moves from an unbalanced position to an upright position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A self-righting device (1) comprising a support body (11) for supporting a medicament delivery device (2); the support body (11) having a mass, a center of gravity (G) and a shape such that the self-righting device (1), when positioned on a substantially horizontal surface, moves from an unbalanced position (46a-46c) to an upright position (47). The self-righting device (1) further comprises a mechanical adaptor (3) configured to be attached to the support body (11) and for holding an elongated medicament delivery device (2) at an angle less than 30 degrees from a vertical axis when the self-righting device is in the upright position (47). An assembly (44) of a self-righting device (1) and an elongated medicament delivery device (2) is also provided.