Spring Element Assists Fixed Dose Dispense in Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems face challenges in efficiently and safely administering two or more medicaments simultaneously, particularly in combination therapy, due to interaction issues during storage, varying dose requirements, and high dispense force needs, which can be cumbersome for users with dexterity or computational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery system with separate storage containers for multiple medicaments that combines them during a single delivery step, utilizing a spring element to reduce dispense force and allowing user-settable or fixed dose adjustments through a single dose setter and dispense interface, enabling flexible therapeutic profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two or more medicaments are delivered simultaneously using separate delivery systems, then each medicament can be delivered with its own optimized parameters, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to multiple devices and calculations required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple medicament delivery systems into a single integrated device that can deliver multiple medicaments simultaneously through a single injection. The device includes separate reservoirs for different medicaments, individual dose setting mechanisms for each, and a unified delivery system that coordinates their simultaneous administration, thereby reducing the number of devices from two or more to one while maintaining delivery accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The single drug delivery device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can store multiple different medicaments in separate reservoirs, allow independent dose setting for each medicament, and deliver them simultaneously through a single needle. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate delivery devices and simplifies the administration process
2Reliability
If two or more medicaments are delivered simultaneously using separate delivery systems, then each medicament can be delivered with its own optimized parameters, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumulative dispense force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dispense mechanisms into a single coordinated system where the dispense forces for multiple medicaments are integrated and delivered simultaneously through one actuation. This reduces the cumulative force requirement compared to sequentially operating multiple separate devices, making the device easier to operate while maintaining accurate delivery of each medicament
3Device complexity
If pre-mixed formulations of multiple active agents are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates because the ratio of active components cannot be varied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the medicament delivery system into separate reservoirs, each containing a different active agent. This segmentation allows each medicament to be stored and dosed independently, enabling flexible adjustment of dose ratios while maintaining a relatively simple device structure. The separate reservoirs can be refilled or replaced independently to accommodate different therapeutic requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic dose setting mechanisms that allow the user to adjust the dose of each active agent independently before administration. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the dose ratio to be varied according to therapeutic needs, transforming a static pre-mixed formulation into a flexible, adaptable system while keeping the device structure manageable
4Reliability
If multiple separate drug delivery devices are used, then each device can be optimized for its specific medicament, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for multiple administrations and calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate drug delivery devices into a single integrated system that administers multiple medicaments through one injection. This merging maintains the medicament-specific optimization features (separate reservoirs, individual dose settings) while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for multiple separate administrations and complex dose calculations, thereby enhancing user compliance
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
This system simplifies the administration of multiple medicaments by reducing dispense force, allowing user control, and ensuring accurate dosing without complex calculations, enhancing user compliance and safety, especially for those with dexterity issues.
Implementation Method 1
A secondary fixed dose setting mechanism may be operably connected to a spring element that is configured to at least assist with dispense of the secondary medicament
Implementation Method 2
A single activation of the dose button causes the set dose of the first medicament from the primary reservoir and the set non-user settable dose of the second medicament to be expelled through the single dispense interface
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device having a spring element that provides dispense assistance. The drug delivery device includes a variable dose setting mechanism, a fixed dose setting mechanism, and a mechanical coupling having a spring element. The variable dose setting mechanism is operably coupled to a first reservoir holding a first medicament, and the variable dose setting mechanism comprises a dose setter. The fixed dose setting mechanism is operably coupled to a second reservoir holding a second medicament. The mechanical coupling operably couples the variable dose setting mechanism and the fixed dose setting mechanism. Further, the variable dose setting mechanism is configured to set a variable dose of the first medicament upon activation of the dose setter, and the fixed dose setting mechanism is configured to set a fixed dose of the second medicament during variable dose setting. Still further, the spring element is configured to store energy during dose setting and to transfer stored energy to the fixed dose setting mechanism to assist with dispense of the fixed dose.