Miniaturized Wearable Autoinjector for Rapid Emergency Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autoinjectors are cumbersome and not easily accessible, leading to non-compliance and potential adverse outcomes in emergency situations, such as anaphylaxis, due to their bulk size and lack of ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized wearable medication administration device with a compact design, integrated quick release mechanism, and rapid injection mechanism, allowing for self-administration of therapeutic agents like epinephrine, within seconds, and featuring a dual-ended needle for penetration and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If current autoinjectors are designed with sufficient capacity to administer medication, then they can deliver therapeutic agents effectively, but they become cumbersome and bulky, making them difficult to carry and access in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the medication cartridge inside the housing structure, with the cartridge positioned within a cylindrical chamber. The needle assembly is nested within the cartridge mechanism, and the entire assembly is contained within the housing. This nested configuration allows the device to maintain sufficient medication capacity while minimizing overall volume and making it portable.
2Volume of moving object
If current autoinjectors are made compact to improve portability, then they become easier to carry, but they may compromise the reliability of medication administration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the autoinjector into distinct functional segments: a housing containing a spring mechanism, a separate cartridge holding the medication, and a needle assembly. These segments are connected through a reliable mechanical linkage where the spring-driven plunger pushes medication through the needle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall reliability despite compact dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If current autoinjectors use manual operation mechanisms, then they can be operated without complex systems, but they require user dexterity and may not be easily accessible in critical moments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-loaded spring mechanism that is compressed during storage and automatically releases to drive the needle and plunger upon activation. The medication cartridge is pre-filled and sealed, requiring no assembly or adjustment by the user. This preliminary preparation eliminates complex manual operations and reduces administration time to a simple activation motion, making the device accessible even in emergency situations.
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 rapid and reliable self-administration of medications in emergency situations, ensuring timely treatment and reducing the risk of adverse outcomes by being easily accessible and user-friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to force the piston toward the second end of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a retraction spring positioned within the second cylinder and configured to force the needle hub toward the second end of the cylinder
Implementation Method 3
when the piston travels along the first cylinder toward the second end of the housing, the piston drives some of the fluid through the channel into the second cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a housing having a first end, a second end, a first cylinder, a second cylinder parallel to the first cylinder, and a channel connecting the first and second cylinders near the second end. A piston is positioned within the first cylinder. A cartridge containing a therapeutic agent is positioned within the second cylinder. A needle hub containing a needle is positioned within the second cylinder between the cartridge and the first end. A septum is positioned at the first end. A fluid is positioned within the first cylinder. When the device is activated, the piston travels toward the second end, forcing some of the fluid to travel from the first cylinder into the second cylinder, forcing the cartridge toward the first end, causing the needle to penetrate the cartridge and the septum, and causing at least some of the therapeutic agent to extrude through the needle.