Syringe-Type Microneedle With Pneumatic Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microneedle technologies face challenges in ensuring uniform drug delivery and preventing skin damage due to variable penetration times and potential pain caused by microneedle movement, especially for unskilled practitioners.
Innovation Solution
A syringe-type microneedle design featuring a housing with an air discharge hole, a press-fitting block, and a pressing part that uses air pressure to penetrate the skin and automatically release the needle, ensuring controlled penetration and easy detachment, with a protective film to prevent contamination and adhesive film for skin adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microneedle is pressed to penetrate the skin, then the drug injection is enabled, but the practitioner must manually control the penetration time which varies according to medical skill and causes non-uniform drug delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service by using the microneedle itself to signal when penetration is complete. The microneedle acts as both the injection tool and the timing indicator, eliminating the need for practitioner judgment. When the microneedle reaches the bottom of the housing, it automatically triggers the air discharge hole to open, releasing the press-fitting block and signaling the end of penetration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements feedback through the air pressure mechanism that responds to the microneedle's position. As the microneedle penetrates deeper, the air pressure increases and pushes the press-fitting block upward, which opens the air discharge hole at the optimal moment. This automatic feedback mechanism ensures consistent penetration time regardless of practitioner skill level.
2Reliability
If the microneedle stays in the skin for a long period, then the drug injection is complete, but skin damage or necrosis may occur due to excessive retention time
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by pre-setting the penetration time through the air residence space volume and air pressure characteristics. The microneedle is designed to reach the bottom of the housing after a predetermined time, which automatically triggers the release mechanism. This pre-calculated timing ensures that the microneedle is removed at the optimal moment to complete drug injection while avoiding excessive retention that could cause skin damage.
3Manufacturing precision
If the injection needle cap is rotated to adjust the microneedle height, then the penetration depth is controlled, but the structure becomes complex and requires multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the depth adjustment mechanism from the conventional rotating cap design. Instead of using a complex rotating body with screw threads, the patent simplifies the structure by allowing the microneedle to move freely within the housing and use air pressure to automatically position itself. The depth control is achieved through the predetermined volume of the air residence space rather than mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw-thread adjustment system with a pneumatic system. The air pressure generated during microneedle penetration automatically pushes the press-fitting block to open the air discharge hole, eliminating the need for manual rotation and mechanical linkages. This substitution of mechanical action with pneumatic pressure simplifies the overall device structure.
4Force
If the press-fitting block is used to penetrate the skin, then the needle penetration force is sufficient, but the release mechanism must be precise to ensure timely detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatics to achieve both sufficient penetration force and precise release timing. The air pressure generated during microneedle penetration automatically pushes the press-fitting block upward when the microneedle reaches the bottom of the housing. This pneumatic mechanism provides strong enough force for penetration while the pressure equalization through the air discharge hole ensures precise and automatic release at the correct moment.
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 uniform drug delivery and prevents skin damage by allowing automatic release of the press-fitting force after drug injection, ensuring the needle is promptly removed, thus enhancing product reliability and usability for both skilled and unskilled practitioners.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing part inserted into and coupled to the air residence space to be positioned above the press-fitting block and push the air in the air residence space toward the press-fitting block to guide downward movement of the press-fitting block
Implementation Method 2
as air in the air residence space is discharged to the outside while the air discharge hole is opened by the press-fitting block, press-fitting of the press-fitting block is released
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present disclosure, by a simple operation of pressing the press-fitting block with the pressing part, a press-fitting force of the press-fitting block is automatically released at a predetermined time after the needle part penetrates a skin layer, due to the release of the press-fitting force of the press-fitting block, a practitioner can easily determine a. time to detach and separate the needle part, due to guiding of the time to detach and separate the needle part, even an unskilled person can easily use the microneedle, by a uniform amount of drug being injected into patients, the same therapeutic effect can be given to the patients, and in particular, by the needle part being promptly removed after the drug of the needle part is injected into the skin layer, there is no concern about the needle part staying in the skin layer for an excessive amount of time.