Two-Stage Intravitreal Auto-Injector for Viscous Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The administration of gel-based, viscous or semi-solid drug formulations for ophthalmological use is challenging due to high viscosity, difficulty in measuring drug volume, and potential air trapping, making conventional devices unsuitable for outpatient settings, especially for intravitreal injections, which may require surgery.
Innovation Solution
An auto-injector device with a two-stage mechanism, comprising an injector body, syringe plunger, compression spring, preparatory pin, and injection pin, designed to release lubricious material and drug composition sequentially, preventing air trapping and enabling accurate injection of viscous formulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional injection devices are used for gel-based viscous formulations, then the injection force required becomes excessively high, but the device structure remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device is divided into multiple functional components: a syringe body, plunger, needle assembly, and activation mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the activation mechanism providing the high force needed for viscous gel injection while keeping the syringe and needle simple for ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates pre-loaded spring mechanisms and pre-positioned components that store energy and are ready to deliver the injection force when activated. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual force application during the injection process, providing consistent high force for viscous formulations.
2Duration of action of moving object
If gel-based formulations are loaded into syringes, then extended release therapy is achieved, but air trapping and volume measurement become extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is designed with pre-marked volume indicators and air-elimination features that are prepared in advance. The device includes a mechanism to pre-position the plunger and eliminate air pockets before injection, ensuring accurate dosing of viscous gel formulations without requiring complex measurement procedures during administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid or mechanism that facilitates the displacement of gel-based formulations and prevents air trapping. This intermediary element helps maintain accurate volume delivery by ensuring complete evacuation of the syringe contents without air pockets interfering with the measurement or injection process.
3Duration of action of moving object
If gel-based formulations are used for extended release, then therapeutic agents can be released over weeks or months, but the injection procedure becomes extremely difficult in outpatient settings
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device is designed as a self-activating system that requires minimal user intervention. Once activated, the spring-loaded mechanism automatically provides the force needed to inject the viscous gel formulation, eliminating the need for the operator to manually push against high resistance. This makes the procedure feasible for outpatient administration by non-specialist personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pushing action with a spring-loaded automatic injection mechanism. This substitution transforms the injection process from a skill-dependent manual operation into a standardized automatic process, reducing the technical skill required and making it suitable for outpatient settings.
4Reliability
If conventional devices are used for intravitreal injection of viscous formulations, then the injection target can be reached, but surgical intervention becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates pre-loaded spring mechanisms and pre-positioned components that store energy and are ready to deliver the injection force when activated. This preliminary action eliminates the need for surgical intervention by providing sufficient force through a non-surgical automated injection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pushing action with a spring-loaded automatic injection mechanism. This substitution transforms the injection process from a skill-dependent manual operation into a standardized automatic process, reducing the technical skill required and making it suitable for outpatient settings.
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 auto-injector device facilitates safe and accurate outpatient administration of extended-release ophthalmological formulations, reducing the need for surgery and minimizing complications such as retinal detachment.
Implementation Method 1
An auto-injector device with a two-stage mechanism, comprising an injector body, syringe plunger, compression spring, preparatory pin, and injection pin
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure relates to an auto-injector device that can be used for injection of ophthalmological formulations. The auto-injector device can function in two stages, where a lubricious material is released in a first stage and a drug delivery composition is released in a second stage. The present disclosure provides for method of using these injector devices.