Sequential Priming Mechanism in Ready-To-Use Injection Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices face issues with manual assembly complexity, potential for premature dose delivery due to lack of safety mechanisms, and exposure of injection needles to medicament, leading to contamination and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device with a housing that includes a contactor, rotator, and safety member, where the activator mechanism ensures sequential priming and dose expulsion interactions, preventing premature activation and protecting the injection needle until use, and maintaining sterility through protective sheaths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an injection needle is connected to a cartridge type medicament container, then the medicament can be delivered, but assembly steps are required which are difficult for persons with reduced manual dexterity and time-consuming in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The injection needle and cartridge are pre-assembled into a single integrated medicament delivery device. The needle is fixedly connected to the cartridge body, eliminating the need for users to perform assembly steps. This merging of components resolves the contradiction by making the device ready-to-use while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection needle and cartridge are pre-assembled and prepared in advance during manufacturing. The device is provided in a ready-to-use state with the needle already connected to the cartridge, so no assembly is required at the point of use. This preliminary action eliminates assembly steps for the user.
2Ease of operation
If the injection needle is exposed for delivery, then medicament can be injected, but there is risk of accidental needle prick and premature dose delivery
Solution Approach 1:
A safety mechanism with a blocking element is provided that preliminarily prevents the activator from being actuated. The blocking element physically obstructs the activator's movement, requiring deliberate user action to remove the block and initiate the injection sequence. This preliminary anti-action prevents accidental activation while allowing intentional use.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotator component serves as an intermediary between the activator and the drive mechanism. The rotator must be rotated to a specific position to enable the drive mechanism to function, acting as a mediator that prevents direct activation. This intermediate step adds a safety layer that prevents premature dose delivery.
3Ease of operation
If the injection needle is in constant contact with medicament, then injection can be performed, but air may enter through the needle passage and adversely affect the medicament, and metal contact may affect both needle and medicament
Solution Approach 1:
The injection needle is extracted from constant contact with the medicament. The needle is kept sealed within the cartridge until the moment of injection, when it penetrates the septum to access the medicament. This extraction of the needle from continuous medicament contact prevents air entry and chemical interactions during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane or septum separates the medicament from the injection needle during storage. The septum remains intact, keeping the needle sealed and isolated from the medicament. During injection, the needle penetrates this thin film barrier, allowing medicament delivery while maintaining sterility and preventing contamination during non-use periods.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising, a housing (10, 114) having a proximal and a distal end, a delivery member connected to the housing; a medicament container (84) operably arranged within the housing; a drive mechanism (102, 108) capable of acting on the medicament container (84) for priming and for expelling a dose of medicament. The invention is characterised in that the device further comprises—an activator mechanism configured to interact with the drive mechanism, such that a first interaction between the activator mechanism and the drive mechanism causes the container to move towards the delivery member wherein the container is primed and such that a subsequent second interaction between the activator mechanism and the drive mechanism causes a dose of medicament to be expelled through the delivery member.