Integrated Vial Injection Mechanism for High-Pressure Delivery
Solution Overview
Problem
Current injection mechanisms for delivering medicaments are inconvenient, requiring users to carry vials and syringes and exert high forces to overcome backpressure for intradermal injections, especially with viscous formulations and small gauge needles, and lack integration of vial and dosing mechanisms for efficient delivery.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system with a housing containing a first chamber for the medicament and a second chamber in fluid communication, using a pen-like design with a replaceable needle, where air or medicament is displaced to create high pressures for injection, and includes features like one-way valves and filters to manage fluid flow and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user carries a vial and syringe for injection, then the user can perform injections, but the user must repeat the tiresome process of drawing medicament from the vial and injecting into tissue each time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vial and syringe into a single integrated injection device. The vial is positioned within the syringe housing, with the plunger rod extending through the vial stopper. This integration allows the user to carry one device instead of separate vial and syringe, and the device is pre-filled with medicament, eliminating the need to draw medicament each time injection is needed.
2Ease of operation
If pen injection devices are used for viscous formulations or small gauge needles, then injection is more convenient, but high thumb pressure is required which creates backpressure challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a ratchet system with pawls and ratchet teeth - between the user's thumb pressure and the plunger rod. This mechanism allows the user to apply force incrementally, with each depression of the thumb button advancing the plunger rod a controlled distance. The ratchet prevents backflow, maintaining pressure on viscous formulations without requiring sustained high thumb pressure.
3Manufacturing precision
If shorter, smaller gauge needles are used for intradermal injection, then the injection targets the correct tissue layer, but the fluid dynamics change and higher pressure is needed to overcome greater backpressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by maintaining continuous pressure on the medicament through the plunger rod's constant engagement with the vial contents. The ratchet mechanism ensures unidirectional force application, creating a hydraulic pressure system that efficiently transmits user input force to overcome the backpressure of shorter, smaller gauge needles injecting into dense intradermal tissue.
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, high-pressure medicament delivery with reduced user effort, suitable for intradermal injections and viscous formulations, while integrating the vial and dosing mechanism for efficient use and storage.
Implementation Method 1
A delivery system with a housing containing a first chamber for the medicament and a second chamber in fluid communication, using a pen-like design with a replaceable needle, where air or medicament is displaced to create high pressures for injection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An injection device is provided for delivering a liquid medicament. The injection device includes a housing with a first chamber for storing a supply of the medicament. The first chamber and a second chamber are coupled within the housing. The second chamber is in fluid communication with the first chamber. The system also includes an outlet port for dispensing the medicament outside the housing. The outlet port is coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with one of the first and second chambers.