Single Motor Therapeutic Delivery Device Lead Screw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapeutic agent delivery devices, such as injector pens, are either fully disposable or require complex reusable components, leading to increased manufacturing costs and user inconvenience, particularly in devices designed for repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic agent delivery device with a reusable assembly and a syringe assembly, featuring a shuttle system and a drive mechanism with a lead screw, where the lead screw is rotated in specific directions to extend and retract the needle and plunger for medication delivery, allowing for efficient and cost-effective reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a therapeutic agent delivery device uses multiple motors and complex internal components to enable reusable operation, then the device functionality and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (needle extension, syringe advancement, plunger actuation) into a single integrated lead screw mechanism. The lead screw rotates to simultaneously control the shuttle system for needle extension and the syringe positioning, while also driving the plunger for medication delivery. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate motors and components needed, lowering device complexity while maintaining reusability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The lead screw serves multiple functions: it extends the needle via the shuttle system, positions the syringe, and actuates the plunger for medication delivery. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated motors for each function, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable operation across all delivery phases
2Adaptability or versatility
If a therapeutic agent delivery device uses multiple motors and complex internal components, then the device functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuation functions into a single lead screw mechanism that controls needle extension, syringe positioning, and plunger actuation. This consolidation reduces the bill of materials by eliminating multiple motors and associated control systems, directly lowering manufacturing costs while preserving full device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The lead screw is designed as a universal actuator that performs multiple functions throughout the medication delivery process. By making this single component responsible for needle extension, syringe advancement, and plunger actuation, the device achieves versatile functionality without the expense of multiple specialized motors, making the device more cost-effective to manufacture
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 enables efficient and cost-effective reuse by simplifying the manufacturing process and user operation, reducing the need for multiple motors and internal components, thus enhancing portability and convenience while maintaining effective medication delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism including a lead screw. The lead screw has a distal end configured to engage the plunger
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic agent delivery device includes a syringe assembly having a plunger, a drive mechanism, and a shuttle system coupled to a syringe of the syringe assembly. The drive mechanism includes a motor and a lead screw to engage the plunger, and a controller configured to facilitate movement of the shuttle system distally relative to the syringe assembly and movement of the syringe distally to extend a needle from the therapeutic agent delivery device. The lead screw can drive the plunger for drug delivery. Rotation of the lead screw after the plunger is driven can facilitate retraction of the lead screw from the plunger and facilitate movement of the shuttle system proximally and the syringe proximally relative to the syringe assembly. The drive mechanism and the shuttle system may be an integrated assembly.