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The development of the design and firing mechanism of an auto-injector pen to increase compliance amongst anaphylaxis sufferers.
This design project develops a radically new auto-injector that can deliver a life-saving shot of adrenaline to anaphylaxis sufferers. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction that can be triggered by contact with everyday substances including peanuts, insect stings and latex. The reaction is instantaneous and if untreated can be fatal within 15 minutes. The condition is on the increase but new ways of administering aid have not sufficiently developed to combat this. Adrenaline (Epinephrine) is the primary treatment of anaphylaxis and must be self-administered intramuscularly within minutes of an attack by using an auto-injector.
The project began by asking users about their failure to carry and operate existing auto-injectors. Up to half of all patients prescribed auto-injectors do not carry them due to their prohibitive size, the violence of operation and the unappealing design. Many of these problems stem from the fact that conventional injectors were developed primarily for battle-field use, rather than use in public and domestic situations. Other common factors highlighted included counter-intuitive design and a ‘fear’ of the injector itself.
The mechanical design was developed in response to this research, with the intention of producing a more user-friendly, less intimidating design that would encourage sufferers to carry the injector on a regular basis. This design was refined through several iterations to produce ‘proof of principle’ prototypes that fired the injection mechanism in a softer, safer and less violent manner. Once the mechanical issues had been addressed, consideration was given to usability, materials and appearance factors, to ensure that it was perceived as unthreatening and easy to use.
The resulting device, called Pluspoint, uses conventional drug delivery principles but is significantly smaller than existing designs and can fit neatly into a trouser pocket or handbag. The ergonomics are improved to encourage safer handling in critical situations. The need for secondary packaging to protect against ultraviolet rays is removed by using appropriate plastics and finishes that block light, thereby reducing bulk and speeding up access to the device.
Importantly, the trauma of injecting is significantly reduced due to an improved mechanism that gives the user more control and stability when firing.
