Staged Telescopic Screw Assembly With Visual Dose Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic screw assemblies in injectors lack a reliable mechanism to ensure proper extension and visual indication of full dose administration, making it difficult for users to confirm if a full dose of medication has been delivered, especially for patients with limited dexterity or strength.
Innovation Solution
A staged telescopic screw assembly with color-coded inner, middle, and outer screws, featuring different thread pitches and visual indicators, which ensures sequential extension and prevents overextension, allowing users to visually confirm full extension and proper drug delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a telescopic assembly is used to push the plunger, then the delivery system can automatically push the plunger through the chamber, but it becomes difficult to tell whether the assembly has properly achieved its maximum extension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to different segments of the telescopic assembly. The assembly includes multiple telescopic members with different colors (e.g., first color for the innermost member, second color for intermediate members, third color for the outermost member). As the assembly extends, users can visually track the progression of colors to determine the extension status and confirm when maximum extension is achieved.
2Extent of automation
If a telescopic assembly is used to push the plunger, then automated delivery is enabled, but the assembly may extend all at once or certain nested members may extend in a random sequential order
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic assembly is divided into multiple independently controllable telescopic members (innermost member, intermediate members, outermost member). Each member can extend independently through threaded engagement mechanisms, allowing controlled sequential extension rather than all-at-once extension. This segmentation enables precise control over the delivery profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly is designed with threaded engagements between telescopic members that pre-determine the sequence of extension. The threading mechanism ensures that members extend in a predetermined sequential order based on their mechanical interconnections, preventing random extension sequences.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple nested screws are used for staged extension, then precise control over delivery profile is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where telescopic members are housed within one another in a doll-like arrangement. The innermost member is nested within intermediate members, which are nested within the outermost member. This nesting minimizes the retracted length while enabling staged extension through threaded engagements, achieving precise delivery control without excessive complexity.
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
The solution enables precise control over the delivery of medication based on viscosity and rate, providing a clear visual indication of full extension, ensuring accurate dosing and preventing overextension, thus enhancing user safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The middle screw and the outer screw are in a first threaded engagement, and the inner screw and the middle screw are in a second threaded engagement. Rotation of the outer screw in one rotational direction advances the middle screw relative to the outer screw via the first threaded engagement and advances the inner screw relative to the middle screw via the second threaded engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A telescopic screw assembly for an injector includes an inner screw, an outer screw and a middle screw. The middle and outer screws are in a first threaded engagement, and the inner and middle screws are in a second threaded engagement. The inner screw is nested with the middle screw and the middle screw is nested with the outer screw in a contracted configuration of the screw assembly. Rotation of the outer screw in one direction advances the middle screw relative to the outer screw via the first threaded engagement and advances the inner screw relative to the middle screw via the second threaded engagement to telescopically extend the screw assembly into an expanded configuration. At least two of the inner, middle and outer screws are identified with a different visual indicator to enhance visual distinction between the screws, and readily visually indicate an extension progress of the screw assembly.