Spring-Driven Needle-Free Injector with Disposable Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle-free injection systems face challenges in delivering fluids to specific skin layers or muscle tissues due to variability in pressure and nozzle distance, and often require replenishment of compressed gas, which can be inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A spring-driven needle-free injection device with a nozzle assembly that includes a skin tensioning ring and a plunger mechanism, allowing for adjustable depth of penetration and preventing re-use of the nozzle assembly to ensure proper administration of intradermal and intramuscular injections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If compressed gas is used as propulsion mechanism, then injection pressure is achieved, but gas replenishment is required which reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable nozzle assembly that is pre-filled with medication and designed for single-use. This eliminates the need for gas replenishment while ensuring consistent injection pressure, as each new nozzle contains fresh propellant and medication. The disposable nature resolves the contradiction by sacrificing the nozzle rather than requiring complex gas refilling mechanisms.
2Length of moving object
If nozzle is placed directly against skin, then intramuscular injection depth is achieved, but intradermal injection requires spacer which complicates operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an adjustable nozzle assembly that can dynamically change its position relative to the skin surface. The nozzle can be positioned at different distances from the skin depending on the injection type required, eliminating the need for separate spacers for intradermal injections. This dynamic adjustability resolves the contradiction by allowing the same device to achieve both direct-contact intramuscular injections and spaced intradermal injections.
3Productivity
If nozzle assembly is reusable, then device cost is reduced, but proper administration cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable nozzle assembly that is pre-filled with medication and designed for single-use. This eliminates the need for gas replenishment while ensuring consistent injection pressure, as each new nozzle contains fresh propellant and medication. The disposable nature resolves the contradiction by sacrificing the nozzle rather than requiring complex gas refilling mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If spring-driven mechanism is used, then gas replenishment is eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex gas replenishment system entirely and replaces it with a simpler spring-driven mechanism. The spring is pre-compressed during nozzle assembly manufacturing, and the entire nozzle assembly is disposed of after single use. This extraction approach resolves the contradiction by removing the need for maintainable gas systems while keeping the overall device simple through disposable design.
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 effectively delivers fluids to desired skin layers or muscle tissues with adjustable depth and prevents re-use, enhancing the reliability and safety of needle-free injections without the need for continuous gas replenishment.
Implementation Method 1
spring-driven needle-free injection device
Implementation Method 2
skin tensioning ring
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to the field of injections, for instance needle-free injections, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for spring-driven intramuscular and intradermal injections. Provided in some embodiments are needle-free injectors adapted to deliver intradermal injections, as well as vial adaptors that are adapted to function as spacers when used with a needle-free injection device.