Twist-to-Mix Auto-Injector for Rapid Self-Administered Steroid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency steroid injection systems, such as Act-o-vial®, are cumbersome and require complex manipulation, necessitating trained medical personnel, making them unsuitable for self-administration by individuals with adrenal insufficiency or other conditions requiring immediate cortisol replacement.
Innovation Solution
A twist-to-mix drug delivery system comprising a transportation, storage, and injection assembly that allows for easy mixing and administration of steroids like hydrocortisone in four simple steps, suitable for both emergency and non-emergency medications, including epinephrine and naloxone, using a device with compartments for active agents and carriers that mix on demand and inject via a hypodermic needle assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional emergency injection systems (e.g., Act-o-vial®) are used, then reliable drug delivery is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase, requiring trained medical personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (storage, mixing, and injection) into a single integrated device. The cartridge contains both the lyophilized drug and diluent, automatically mixes them upon activation, and delivers the mixture through an integrated needle assembly, eliminating the need for separate vials, syringes, and mixing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a cartridge containing the drug and diluent in separate compartments, a mixing chamber, and an injection assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity of operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-step mixing procedures are used, then proper drug preparation is achieved, but administration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drug and diluent are pre-loaded into separate compartments within the cartridge during manufacturing. The mixing chamber is pre-configured with the necessary components. When activated, the device automatically transfers and mixes the contents without requiring manual preparation steps, achieving both proper preparation and rapid administration.
3Ease of operation
If self-administration is enabled, then accessibility improves, but risk of improper use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a self-contained auto-injector that performs all operations automatically upon activation. The user simply needs to activate the device, which then automatically mixes the drug and diluent, prepares the injection, and delivers the medication. This minimizes user intervention and reduces the risk of improper use while maintaining self-administration capability.
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 rapid and efficient administration of lifesaving medications with reduced steps, enabling self-administration by individuals with adrenal insufficiency and improving the delivery of various medications, including steroids, antibiotics, and other emergency drugs.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the active agent to the diluent or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for mixing or dissolution prior to administration
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatus of storing, transporting, mixing, and injecting a drug as a solution, and in some embodiments, to a drug injection apparatus and system intended for use in mixing on demand a drug with a liquid, such as water, in a premeasured quantity and dosage, and injecting the drug mixture using an integrated hypodermic needle assembly. Also provided are methods of using such apparatus and systems.