Syringe Injection Aid Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of self-administering injections is challenging due to the need for significant manual dexterity, leading to difficulties in aligning and positioning syringes, potential contamination, and safety issues such as needle jabs and incomplete medication delivery, particularly for individuals with coordination or dexterity impairments.
Innovation Solution
A syringe injection aid device featuring a body with a locking mechanism and a plunger that can be slidably moved to facilitate one-handed operation, allowing for needle depth control and secure medication delivery, with a ratchet mechanism to ensure accurate dosage and prevent needle exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional syringe is used for self-injection, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for two-handed coordination and significant manual dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is nested within the injection aid device body, with the plunger contained within the syringe barrel. This nested configuration allows the simple syringe structure to be integrated into a more complex aiding device that provides stabilization and control features, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection aid device acts as an intermediary between the user and the syringe. It provides a stabilized platform with alignment features and controlled plunger movement mechanisms, making the injection process easier to perform while maintaining the simplicity of the syringe itself.
2Measurement precision
If manual alignment and positioning is performed without aid, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision deteriorates in aligning the syringe needle with the injection site
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates preliminary alignment features such as guide channels and positioning structures that pre-align the syringe needle with the intended injection site before the actual injection occurs. This preliminary positioning action improves measurement precision without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system is designed to automatically align the syringe through built-in guide structures and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for complex external alignment tools or procedures. The device serves its own alignment function through its inherent structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the plunger is held manually during injection, then the device structure remains simple, but the stability deteriorates due to hand tremors and positioning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger stabilization mechanism merges the plunger control function with the device body structure. The plunger is guided through constrained movement paths and stabilized by contact with structured surfaces within the device, combining multiple stabilization functions into a unified structure rather than adding separate complex stabilization systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides localized stabilization features at critical points such as the plunger interface and needle alignment area. These localized structural features provide enhanced stability where needed without requiring the entire device to be overly complex or rigid throughout.
4Reliability
If rapid injection delivery is attempted without control mechanisms, then the productivity increases, but the reliability deteriorates due to incomplete dosage delivery and contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger movement mechanism transitions from a static manual push to a dynamically controlled movement through guided channels and staged release mechanisms. This allows the plunger to move rapidly when needed while maintaining control to ensure complete dosage delivery and prevent contamination, resolving the contradiction between injection speed and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a body having an opening at a first end of the body. A plunger control grip is slidably coupled to a portion of the body circumference and configured to couple to a syringe plunger. The apparatus further comprises a cover pivotably coupled to the first end of the body, wherein in an open position the cover exposes a cavity configured to receive a syringe. A locking mechanism is pivotally secured to the cover, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to prevent forward movement of the plunger control grip when in a locked position and to enable forward movement of the plunger control grip when in an unlocked position. The unlocked position is activated by external contact with the locking mechanism and forward movement is in the direction toward the first end of the body.