Telescoping Drug Mixing Device for Emergency Auto-Injectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Auto-injectors are cumbersome and have a short shelf life due to size constraints and the need for immediate reconstitution of therapeutic agents, leading to potential ineffectiveness in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A compact medication mixing and delivery device with a housing containing selectively changeable volume chambers, a fluidic channel, and a movable body, allowing for the separation and reconstitution of dry and wet components just before use, ensuring proper mixing and delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the therapeutic agent is stored in liquid form for immediate use, then the device can be used quickly in emergencies, but the shelf life is reduced and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the therapeutic agent into separate dry and liquid component chambers, storing them independently to extend shelf life while maintaining compact size. The dry component is stored in a separate chamber from the liquid component, allowing both to be preserved without premature mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The therapeutic agent is stored in a dry solid state rather than liquid form, changing its physical parameter to extend shelf life and reduce temperature susceptibility. The device maintains the agent in this altered state until the moment of use.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the therapeutic agent is stored in dry state to extend shelf life, then the effectiveness is maintained longer, but the device complexity increases due to mixing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs the mixing function through a self-contained mechanism that combines the dry and liquid components upon activation. The mixing action is integrated into the delivery mechanism, requiring no external equipment or complex external systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing function is merged with the delivery mechanism, combining multiple functions (storage, mixing, and delivery) into a single integrated device. This reduces overall system complexity by eliminating separate mixing equipment.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is made more compact for easier carrying, then portability is improved, but the mixing and delivery mechanism becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested structure where the movable body and mixing mechanisms are compactly arranged within the housing. The dry component chamber, liquid component chamber, and delivery mechanism are nested together to minimize overall device volume while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a movable body that dynamically changes position during operation, transitioning from a retracted state during storage to an extended state during mixing and delivery. This dynamic movement allows compact storage while providing sufficient space for mixing operations when activated.
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 device extends the shelf life of therapeutic agents, reduces size for easier carrying, and ensures consistent reconstitution, making it more likely that users will have an effective auto-injector available during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
displacement of a liquid stored in the first chamber from the first chamber into the second chamber via the fluidic channel
Data Source
AI summary
A telescoping portable drug mixing and delivery device configured to store a dry medication separately from a liquid component, wherein a tensile force applied between the housing and a cap opens a valve and causes displacement of a fluid from a first chamber to a second chamber while simultaneously mixing the fluid with a dry medicament prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the reconstituted drug after the mixing stage is complete.