Slit-Threaded Neck for Axial Medicament Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices, such as pen-type injectors, are difficult for patients with reduced dexterity or uncontrolled shaking to attach and detach delivery members like pen needles, as they require screwing actions that can be challenging and risky.
Innovation Solution
A delivery member attachment device with a threaded neck featuring slits that create flexible tongues allowing axial pushing for attachment, and optional bridges for increased resistance, enabling easy attachment without screwing and easier detachment through conventional screwing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded hub is screwed onto a threaded neck for delivery member attachment, then secure attachment is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates for patients with reduced dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded neck is segmented by introducing slits that create flexible tongues. This segmentation allows the neck structure to deform elastically during axial pushing, enabling simple attachment while maintaining threaded engagement for secure connection. The slits divide the rigid threaded structure into flexible segments that can accommodate axial deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism transitions from a static threaded connection to a dynamic one where the tongues can flex inwards during axial pushing. The slits enable the neck to dynamically adapt its shape during the attachment process, allowing the threaded hub to be pushed on axially while the threads engage, then return to its original shape to lock the connection securely.
2Ease of operation
If resilient fingers with protrusions are used for delivery member attachment, then ease of operation improves for axial pushing, but device complexity increases due to additional handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded neck structure serves multiple functions: it provides the threaded engagement for secure attachment, acts as the structural support for the membrane, and through the addition of slits, enables elastic deformation for simplified axial pushing attachment. This eliminates the need for separate resilient fingers while achieving similar ease of operation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the attachment facilitation function from a separate component (resilient fingers) and integrates it directly into the threaded neck structure itself. The slits in the neck create the necessary flexibility without requiring additional parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the medicament container is pushed forward to lock the delivery member, then attachment security is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to additional handling steps
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded neck with slits performs the locking function automatically through its own elastic deformation. When the threaded hub is pushed on axially, the tongues flex inwards to accommodate the movement, then spring back to their original position to lock the hub securely in place. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for additional handling steps involving the medicament container.
4Ease of operation
If slits are introduced in the threaded neck to create flexible tongues, then ease of operation improves for axial pushing, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slits are designed with specific dimensional parameters (width, depth, spacing) that control the flexibility and elastic recovery characteristics of the tongues. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves the desired balance between ease of axial pushing attachment and secure locking, while maintaining manufacturability with standard precision capabilities.
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
Facilitates simple and secure attachment of delivery members, reducing the risk of accidental detachment and making the process accessible for patients with reduced dexterity, while still allowing conventional screwing for preference.
Implementation Method 1
said tongues are arranged to flex inwards, when a delivery member is to be attached, to allow an axial pushing of said attachment part onto, and in engagement with, said neck
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a delivery member attachment device (10) comprising a neck (12) having an inner space intended to accommodate a connection part of a medicament container, which neck (12) is intended to receive a delivery member (30) for creating a passage between the medicament container via the connection part and through the delivery member, that said neck (12) is arranged with threads (14) arranged to engage with corresponding threads (34) of an attachment part (32 of said delivery member (30), and wherein said neck (12) further is arranged with a number of slits (16) providing a number of tongues (18) between said slits, and wherein said tongues (18) are arranged to flex inwards, when a delivery member (30) is to be attached, to allow an axial pushing of said attachment part (32) onto, and in engagement with, said neck (12).