Single-Motor Injection Assembly for Needle Position and Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle injection devices suffer from assembly difficulties, operational inefficiencies, and increased size due to multiple components and independent control of needle insertion and medication delivery, leading to wear and reproducibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact injection device utilizing a single electric motor to control both needle insertion and product delivery, with a simplified assembly process, featuring a rotating element with teeth to drive a rack for translational movement, and a locking mechanism for precise control of needle positions, along with an elastic element for priming and secure handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a torsion spring and independent pump system are used for needle insertion and medication delivery, then the device can perform both functions, but the device size and assembly complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the needle insertion mechanism and medication delivery pump into a single integrated unit. The needle holder and pump are merged such that one assembly operation secures both components simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps for each function. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining dual functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single needle holder assembly serves multiple functions: it holds the needle, provides the pump mounting surface, and enables both insertion and medication delivery. The integrated design makes the assembly universal, performing both needle insertion and pump-driven medication delivery through a single component structure.
2Ease of operation
If multiple components are used for independent control of needle insertion and medication delivery, then each function can be controlled separately, but the device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is nested within or alongside the needle holder structure, with the pump body mounted on the needle holder's lateral surface. This nesting arrangement allows the medication delivery mechanism to occupy the same spatial envelope as the insertion mechanism, significantly reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining independent operational control through separate actuation mechanisms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If pre-loaded drive elements like springs are used, then the device can store mechanical energy for needle insertion, but wear on plastic parts increases and reproducibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spring-based mechanical drive with an actuator system (such as a motor or piezoelectric actuator) that provides controlled, repeatable needle insertion forces. This substitution eliminates the wear issues associated with spring-plastic interactions while maintaining the ability to store and release mechanical energy in a controlled manner, significantly improving reproduction reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple assembly steps are required for needle holder and pump mounting, then proper positioning can be achieved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The needle holder is designed with pre-formed mounting surfaces and integrated pump mounting features that are created during the molding process. These preliminary actions prepare the components for direct assembly, eliminating the need for post-assembly machining or complex positioning fixtures. The pump can be directly mounted onto the pre-prepared needle holder in a single operation, achieving both precision positioning and rapid assembly.
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 solution reduces device size, assembly complexity, and wear, while ensuring precise control and efficient operation by integrating needle insertion, product transfer, and priming functions into a single motor-driven system.
Implementation Method 1
a single electric motor intended to drive the drive means and to power the pump for the transfer of the product
Implementation Method 2
The drive means comprise a series of teeth arranged around the periphery of a rotating element of the electric motor and intended to cooperate with a rack carried by at least the needle support
Implementation Method 3
an elastic element for priming and secure handling
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3e
Figure 4a~4e
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for injecting a product into a site, comprising: - a body (2) provided with a bearing wall (19) for bearing on the site, - a needle support (24) mounted so as to be movable with respect to the bearing wall (19) between: • a pre-insertion position, • at least one insertion position, and • at least one retracted position, - a catheter (30) mounted so as to be movable with respect to the needle (21) and intended for delivering product into the site, - drive means (4, 44) intended for translating the needle support (24) between the various positions of the needle support (24), - a pump (14) connected to a reservoir so as to transfer product from the reservoir to the catheter (30), - a single electric motor (13) intended for driving the drive means (4, 44) and for supplying the pump (14).