Spiraling Ballistic Projectile for Safe Distant Sedation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-lethal and less-than-lethal ballistic systems for sedating humans or animals at a distance are limited by short effective range, limited formulation volume, poor accuracy, and the risk of causing serious injury or death due to high velocities and inadequate energy dissipation upon impact.
Innovation Solution
A spiraling ballistic flight projectile injection system with a housing and injector head featuring a rotatable hub and curved hypodermic needle, designed to penetrate the dermis and deliver a sedative formulation without causing serious injury, utilizing inertial forces and energy absorption mechanisms to ensure safe and effective injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If ballistic velocity is increased to extend effective range, then range is improved, but risk of serious injury or death increases due to excessive kinetic energy upon impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates energy-absorbing materials and mechanisms within the projectile structure that are designed to dissipate kinetic energy upon impact. These pre-positioned cushioning elements ensure that even at high ballistic velocities, the kinetic energy is safely dissipated through controlled deformation and energy absorption, preventing excessive force transfer to the recipient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-velocity kinetic energy into beneficial penetration force through specialized nose cone designs and energy management systems. The projectile is engineered to maintain high velocity for accurate long-range delivery while using controlled energy dissipation mechanisms to ensure the impact force is sufficient for needle penetration but safely limited to prevent serious injury.
2Speed
If projectile mass is increased to extend range and improve accuracy, then range and accuracy are improved, but formulation volume capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structural design where the hypodermic needle and formulation chamber are integrated within the projectile body. The formulation is contained in a chamber that is nested within the projectile structure, allowing efficient use of internal volume while maintaining an aerodynamic exterior shape for optimal ballistic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes lightweight materials and optimized structural parameters to reduce projectile mass while maintaining sufficient momentum for accurate long-range delivery. By changing material parameters and structural geometry, the design achieves extended range and improved accuracy without proportionally increasing mass, thereby preserving formulation volume capacity.
3Reliability
If hypodermic needle penetration depth is increased to ensure subdermal bolus injection, then injection effectiveness is improved, but risk of excessive tissue penetration and injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible or resilient needle design that can dynamically adjust its penetration depth based on tissue resistance. The needle may incorporate spring-loaded mechanisms or flexible segments that allow it to bend or stop at appropriate depths, ensuring reliable subdermal injection while preventing excessive penetration through dynamic response to tissue characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties and structural characteristics to different portions of the needle. The distal portion may be more rigid for initial penetration, while proximal portions are more flexible to prevent over-penetration. This localized variation in mechanical properties ensures effective injection depth control while minimizing injury risk.
4Measurement precision
If rotational spin is increased to improve ballistic stability and accuracy, then accuracy is improved, but mechanical stress on the injector head and needle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the rotational stabilization function from the injection function by using a segmented design where the projectile body rotates for stability while the injector head and needle remain relatively stationary or protected. This segmentation allows the projectile to achieve accurate ballistic flight through rotation without subjecting the delicate injection components to excessive mechanical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates stress-absorbing features and protective structures in advance of the impact, designed to cushion and distribute the mechanical stresses generated by rotational spin. These pre-positioned stress-management elements protect the injector head and needle from damage while allowing the projectile to maintain high rotational speeds for improved accuracy.
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
Enables safe and effective sedation of humans or animals at medium to long ranges with increased accuracy and reduced risk of injury, maintaining operational readiness under adverse environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing inertial forces and energy absorption mechanisms to ensure safe and effective injection
Implementation Method 2
utilizing inertial forces and energy absorption mechanisms to ensure safe and effective injection
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of humanely dosing a human or animal with a formulation at a distance. A system capable of dosing a recipient with a formulation having a mass between 10 and 500 grains propelled at low-to-medium ballistic velocities (300 to 800 feet per second) and with medium-to-long range ballistic accuracy (10 to over 100 yards) without causing serious physical harm to, nor the death of, the recipient.