Wearable Automatic Injection Device With Spring-Driven Controlled Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic injection devices cause discomfort due to fast injection rates, leading to pain and burning sensations for patients, especially when administering large volumes or certain therapeutic agents like antibodies, and they often require aseptic assembly to maintain sterility.

Innovation Solution

A wearable automatic injection device that delivers therapeutic agents subcutaneously at slow, controlled rates without batteries, featuring a mechanical plunger actuation mechanism, a retraction trigger for automatic needle retraction, and a design that adheres to the skin or clothing, minimizing discomfort and eliminating the need for aseptic assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional automatic injection devices are used to deliver therapeutic agents, then the injection can be administered automatically, but the injection rate is too fast causing pain and burning sensations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic injection deliveryVSAvoidpain and burning sensations
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a spring-driven plunger mechanism with a controlled release system that dynamically adjusts the injection rate. The spring gradually propels the plunger forward, delivering the therapeutic agent at a slow, controlled rate rather than a sudden fast injection, thereby reducing pain and burning sensations while maintaining automatic delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the key parameter of injection rate from fast to slow by modifying the mechanical delivery system. The spring-driven mechanism with controlled release alters the speed and timing of agent delivery, transforming the harmful fast injection into a tolerable slow injection while preserving automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If conventional automatic injection devices are used for large volume injections, then the therapeutic agent can be delivered, but the fast injection rate increases discomfort and pain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelarge volume therapeutic agent deliveryVSAvoiddiscomfort and pain
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-driven plunger mechanism is designed to gradually propel large volumes of therapeutic agent over an extended period. The controlled release system ensures that even large volumes are delivered at a slow, manageable rate, preventing the discomfort and pain associated with rapid large-volume injections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses periodic or continuous gradual action through the spring mechanism to deliver large volumes of therapeutic agent. Rather than a single rapid injection, the spring-driven system provides sustained, controlled delivery over time, reducing discomfort while accommodating large volumes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If conventional automatic injection devices are used, then injection delivery can be achieved, but aseptic assembly is required to maintain sterility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection delivery capabilityVSAvoidaseptic assembly requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into sterile and non-sterile segments. The syringe, needle, and therapeutic agent container are designed as disposable sterile components that can be pre-packaged and sealed. The reusable housing and spring mechanism remain outside the sterile field, eliminating the need for aseptic assembly while maintaining injection delivery capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a disposable sterile cartridge containing the syringe, needle, and therapeutic agent. This single-use component is pre-sterilized and sealed, while the main device body is reusable. The disposable nature of the sterile components eliminates complex aseptic assembly requirements during manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 device provides a comfortable, controlled delivery of therapeutic agents, reducing pain and maintaining sterility, while being easy to use and manufacture, and can administer a therapeutically effective dose over a selected time period ranging from minutes to hours.

Implementation Method 1

a spring for propelling the plunger to eject the therapeutic agent from the vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a viscous damping mechanism for regulating the movement of the spring and the plunger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2560727B1Wearable automatic injection device for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 ABBVIE BIOTECHNOLOGY LTD
  • EP2560727B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2560727B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP2560727B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1F

AI summary

Exemplary embodiments provide wearable automatic injection devices for subcutaneously injecting a therapeutic agent into a patient's body at controlled rates, for example, in a single bolus. Exemplary embodiments provide methods for assembling wearable automatic injection devices for subcutaneously injecting a therapeutic agent into a patient's body at controlled rates. Exemplary embodiments provide methods for using wearable automatic injection devices for subcutaneously injecting a therapeutic agent into a patient's body at controlled rates.