Syringe Plunger Assembly with Segmented Actuator for Tamper-Proof Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing syringe devices lack features to prevent tampering and ensure accurate, single-use delivery of therapeutic doses, particularly in emergency situations where time is critical and precise dosing is essential.

Innovation Solution

The syringe device incorporates a plunger assembly with a secured actuator and spacer that allows for adjustable dosing without user contact, housed in an encasement with a needle guard and expiration indicators, ensuring accurate delivery of predetermined doses and preventing multiple uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the syringe allows adjustable dosing by user contact with the plunger rod, then dosing flexibility is improved, but tampering risk and dosing accuracy are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing flexibilityVSAvoiddosing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the plunger rod for actuation, the stopper for sealing, and a predetermined distance mechanism (comprising the actuator and spacer) that separates the user's force application point from the drug delivery point. This segmentation allows the user to interact with the plunger rod while the predetermined distance mechanism ensures accurate, tamper-proof dosing by limiting stopper movement to a precise distance regardless of user contact variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the syringe allows multiple uses, then drug delivery versatility is improved, but contamination risk and dosing accuracy are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug delivery versatilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The syringe is designed with a predetermined distance mechanism that limits stopper movement to exactly the amount needed for a single therapeutic dose. After one use, the plunger rod cannot be reset or repositioned to deliver another accurate dose, and the needle guard automatically covers the needle after use. This preliminary design constraint prevents multiple uses, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining versatility for emergency single-dose delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the plunger rod location is fixed, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but dosing adaptability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddosing adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediary predetermined distance mechanism (comprising the actuator and spacer components) is introduced between the plunger rod and the stopper. This intermediary translates any position of the plunger rod into a consistent, accurate stopper movement distance, allowing manufacturing simplicity in the plunger rod while achieving dosing adaptability through the intermediary mechanism that ensures precise drug delivery regardless of initial plunger rod position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4079351A1Syringe devices

Publication Date: 2022.10.26 DMK PHARM CORP

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AI summary

Described herein are syringe devices comprising a syringe including a therapeutic dose of at least one drug and a stopper. The syringe is housed and/or placed in an encasement. The plunger assembly can include a plunger, an actuator, and a spacer, wherein the plunger assembly is configured to move the stopper a predetermined distance without a user touching the plunger. Methods of assembling and using the syringe devices are also described.