Therapeutic Agent Delivery Device Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapeutic agent delivery devices, such as injector pens, lack ease of medication dispensing and efficient cartridge replacement, leading to inconvenience for users.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic agent delivery device with a reusable and disposable portion design, where the disposable portion is detachably coupled to a reusable portion, featuring a syringe assembly with a needle that translates from a stowed to a deployed configuration using a compression spring and a securing mechanism for easy attachment and detachment, and an electronics assembly for controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a disposable pen design is used, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance increases due to discarding the entire pen after single use
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device is divided into two separate components: a reusable body portion containing the drive mechanism and a disposable cartridge portion containing the medication. This segmentation allows the medication to be depleted while the functional device is retained and reused, reducing waste while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables selective discarding of only the spent cartridge portion while recovering and retaining the reusable body portion for subsequent use with fresh cartridges. This partial discarding approach eliminates the need to discard the entire device after single use.
2Loss of substance
If a reusable pen design is used, then loss of substance decreases by retaining the device, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex assembly and disassembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components with standardized interfaces, allowing the cartridge to be easily attached and detached from the reusable body without complex tools or procedures, simplifying the replacement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is pre-assembled with the needle and piston in a ready-to-use configuration, eliminating the need for users to perform complex assembly operations during cartridge replacement. The pre-prepared cartridge can be directly attached to the reusable body.
3Ease of operation
If the needle remains exposed, then ease of operation is improved for quick access, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to needle exposure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is nested within the cartridge structure, allowing it to be retracted into the cartridge body when not in use. This nesting arrangement provides quick access when needed while minimizing exposure risks during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design converts the potential harm of needle exposure into a benefit by providing a protective cartridge housing that contains the needle when not in use, while still allowing rapid deployment when treatment is needed.
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 convenient and accurate self-administration of therapeutic agents by enabling easy replacement of spent cartridges and ensuring proper operation through the use of a secure and controlled delivery mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
A compression spring couples the housing to the cap. The compression spring biases the syringe assembly and the cap away from the deployed configuration and toward the stowed configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic agent delivery device includes a disposable portion and a reusable portion that detachably carries the disposable portion. The reusable portion includes a drive mechanism having a guide, a rotary actuator, and a follower drivably coupled to the rotary actuator and movably coupled to the guide. The rotary actuator is actuatable to rotatably drive the follower, and the follower thereby follows the guide and translates the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism thereby translates a syringe assembly of the disposable portion from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration.