Sequential Dose Delivery Mechanism for Drug Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices for sequential administration of multiple substances through a single interface often require complex user interactions, are not truly sequential, and lack user-friendly designs, making them cumbersome and inconvenient for users, especially those with needle phobia.
Innovation Solution
A compact drug delivery device with a simple, truly sequential dosing mechanism that uses a drive structure to actuate the administration of two substances through separate outlets without requiring manual operation, allowing for uninterrupted movement and maintaining a consistent user grip, powered by a torsion spring for automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a semi-automatic mechanism with helical movement of dose setter and dial component is used to achieve sequential drug administration, then sequential delivery of multiple substances is enabled, but device complexity and handling complexity increase due to components moving in and out of the body
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the dosing mechanism into two independent variable volume reservoirs, each with its own displaceable wall and actuation structure. This segmentation allows each substance to be controlled separately while maintaining sequential delivery through a single drive structure, reducing the complexity of having components move in and out of the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive structure performs a predetermined movement that dynamically actuates the first wall actuation structure and second wall actuation structure in sequence. This dynamic approach replaces the static helical back-and-forth movement with a more efficient predetermined motion pattern, reducing handling complexity while maintaining sequential delivery reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is required to dispense drug from cartridges, then user control over dosing is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring hand position changes during dose administration
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements self-service through its automatic drive structure that performs predetermined movements to actuate both wall actuation structures in sequence. The user loads the cartridges and sets doses, then the drive structure automatically executes the sequential delivery without requiring hand position changes, eliminating the need for manual intervention during the actual dispensing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate actuation structures are provided for each reservoir wall, then independent control of each substance is enabled, but device complexity increases due to multiple actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A single drive structure serves multiple functions by performing predetermined movements that sequentially actuate both the first wall actuation structure and the second wall actuation structure. This multi-functional approach maintains independent control of each substance while reducing the overall number of actuation mechanisms from two independent systems to one unified drive structure.
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
The device ensures complete and sequential administration of both substances without user manual labor, providing a compact, easy-to-handle, and user-friendly solution for multiple dose administrations with selectable dose sizes, reducing discomfort and complexity for users.
Implementation Method 1
powered by a torsion spring for automatic operation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a drug delivery device (2, 3; 102) for sequential administration of substances, comprising a first variable volume reservoir (40a; 140a) holding a first substance and comprising a first outlet (41a, 141a) and a first displaceable wall (43a; 143a), a second variable volume reservoir (40b; 140b) holding a second substance and comprising a second outlet (41b; 141b) and a second displaceable wall (43b; 143b), a first wall actuation structure (65a, 70a, 75a, 77a; 177a) activatable to move the first displaceable wall (43a; 143a) and thereby expel a dose of the first substance through the first outlet (41a; 141a), a second wall actuation structure (65b, 70b, 75b, 77b; 177b) activatable to move the second displaceable wall (43b; 143b) and thereby expel a dose of the second substance through the second outlet (41b; 141b), and a drive structure (90; 190) for activating the first wall actuation structure (65a, 70a, 75a, 77a; 177a) and the second wall actuation structure (65b, 70b, 75b, 77b; 177b). The drive structure (90; 190) performs a predetermined movement during one sequential administration of the first substance and the second substance, the predetermined movement comprising a first part movement followed by a second part movement, and is configured to activate the first wall actuation structure (65a, 70a, 75a, 77a; 177a) during the first part movement and to activate the second wall actuation structure (65b, 70b, 75b, 77b; 177b) during the second part movement.