Pre-filled Syringe with Integrated Oxygen Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pre-filled syringes and autoinjectors face challenges with oxygen permeability, leading to drug degradation, and existing oxygen-absorbing solutions complicate administration, increase packaging size, and pose risks of contamination and user difficulty in accessing the drug.
Innovation Solution
A syringe or autoinjector design featuring an oxygen-impermeable enclosure with an integrated oxygen-absorbing material, allowing easy access and administration while preventing oxygen exposure, using a combination of cyclic olefin polymer inner containers and EVOH or polyamide outer containers with specific sealing mechanisms to maintain sterility and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If cyclic olefin polymer containers are used instead of glass, then contaminating effect on drugs is reduced and transparency is maintained, but resistance to gas permeation deteriorates allowing greater permeation of atmospheric oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite container structure combining cyclic olefin polymer (providing chemical inertness and transparency) with an oxygen absorber component (removing oxygen). This composite approach allows the system to benefit from both materials: the polymer provides good drug compatibility and visual inspection capability, while the oxygen absorber compensates for the polymer's higher gas permeability by actively removing oxygen from the headspace, thereby preventing drug degradation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If oxygen absorbing materials are added to prevent oxygen exposure, then drug shelf life is extended, but device complexity and packaging size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oxygen absorber with the container structure itself. The oxygen absorber is integrated into the container assembly, eliminating the need for separate external packaging components. This integration maintains the protective function against oxygen while minimizing additional complexity and packaging volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection for the drug, maintains sterility through its sealed design, and incorporates oxygen removal capability through the integrated oxygen absorber. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting increases in device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If oxygen impermeable enclosure is used to protect drug from oxygen, then oxygen exposure is prevented, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated administration steps
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen absorber is pre-installed within the container before use. This preliminary preparation ensures that oxygen is removed from the headspace in advance, protecting the drug during storage and handling. During administration, the user simply needs to break the seal and inject, without needing to perform additional oxygen removal steps, thereby maintaining ease of operation.
4Volume of stationary object
If oxygen absorber is integrated within syringe, then packaging size is reduced, but risk of contamination from oxygen absorber increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the oxygen absorber into a separate component within the container assembly, physically isolating it from the drug compartment. This segmentation allows the oxygen absorber to perform its function of removing oxygen from the headspace while preventing direct contact with the drug, thereby minimizing contamination risk. The segmented design also allows for easier cleaning and sterilization of the drug compartment.
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 design extends the shelf life of drugs by minimizing oxygen exposure, simplifies administration, reduces packaging size, and ensures easy inspection and safe use, even for users with disabilities, by incorporating an oxygen-absorbing material within the syringe itself.
Implementation Method 1
a oxygen-absorbing material positioned so that oxygen from the drug can pass to the oxygen absorbing material
Implementation Method 2
an oxygen-impermeable enclosure with an integrated oxygen-absorbing material, allowing easy access and administration while preventing oxygen exposure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a syringe or autoinjector for dispensing a drug comprising a rigid syringe body containing the drug, an oxygen absorbing material, a separating element between the drug and oxygen absorbing material to prevent the drug from contacting the oxygen absorbing material but which allows oxygen to pass from the drug to the oxygen absorbing material, and an oxygen impermeable container enclosing both the drug and the oxygen absorbing material, wherein the oxygen impermeable container partially or fully forms the rigid syringe body or is held within the rigid syringe body.