Therapeutic Agent Delivery Device with Segmented Reusable and Disposable Portions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapeutic agent delivery devices, such as injector pens, often require complete disposal after medication depletion, leading to inconvenience and inefficiency in refilling or replacing cartridges, and lack features for easy dispensing and cartridge replacement.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic agent delivery device comprising a detachable combination of a disposable and reusable portion, where the disposable portion includes a syringe assembly with a needle that translates from a stowed to a deployed configuration, and a reusable portion with a drive mechanism that includes a guide, rotary actuator, and follower to facilitate easy deployment and retraction of the needle, and a therapeutic agent delivery mechanism with a motor, gear train, and shafts to deliver the agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the entire pen is discarded after medication depletion, then the device is simple to manufacture and use, but it leads to waste and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable pen body and a disposable cartridge containing the medication. The cartridge can be detached and replaced when depleted, allowing the expensive pen body to be reused while only the medication-containing portion is discarded. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling waste reduction through reusable components while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for the disposable portion.
2Loss of substance
If the pen is disassembled and reassembled for cartridge replacement, then waste is reduced, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a reusable pen body and a disposable cartridge that can be easily detached and replaced. The cartridge is designed as a separate, self-contained unit with a simple interface that allows quick replacement without complex disassembly or reassembly operations, thus reducing waste while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge containing the medication is designed as a disposable component that is replaced rather than refilled. This approach reduces waste compared to discarding the entire pen, while the simple replacement process (without complex disassembly) maintains ease of operation. The disposable cartridge is designed for quick interchange with the reusable pen body.
3Ease of operation
If the needle remains extended for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is compromised due to exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed to dynamically change position between extended and retracted states based on operational needs. During administration, the needle extends for access; after use, it automatically or manually retracts into a protective position within the cartridge. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation when needed while minimizing exposure risk during storage and transport.
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
Enables convenient and accurate self-administration of medication by allowing easy detachment and replacement of the disposable portion, improving ease of use and reducing waste, while ensuring precise delivery of therapeutic agents.
Implementation Method 1
a follower drivably coupled to the rotary actuator and movably coupled to the guide. The rotary actuator is actuatable to rotatably drive the follower, the follower thereby following the guide and translating the drive mechanism relative to the second housing
Implementation Method 2
a gear train drivably coupled to the motor, and a drive shaft drivably coupled to the gear train
Implementation Method 3
An intermediate shaft is disposed within the outer shaft, and the intermediate shaft is drivably coupled to the drive shaft and rotatable together with the drive shaft relative to the carriage and the outer shaft. The intermediate shaft includes first external threads and second internal threads, and the first external threads threadably couple to the first internal threads of the outer shaft. An inner shaft is disposed within the intermediate shaft and engageable with the piston. The inner shaft includes second external threads, and the second external threads threadably couple to the second internal threads of the intermediate shaft.
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.