SHL’s recent article, ‘Understanding which Types of Design Should Be Driving Innovation at Drug Delivery Device Suppliers’, featured in OnDrugDelivery’s October 2013 issue ‘Prefilled Syringes: The Human Factor’.
The article highlights three key areas of design: mechanical, industrial and manufacturing. Emphasising the theme of ‘Inspiring Innovation’, SHL talks about what device manufacturers should be focusing on when working towards making customised auto injectors, pen injectors and inhalers for their biopharmaceutical partners.
The idea behind the article was to share with readers the key areas of design that are required to produce cutting edge products and meet the real needs of end-users. Design areas ranging from human factors engineering to enhanced manufacturing processes designed to maximise production output are discussed, as well as trends, opportunities and challenges in the development of auto injectors in particular.
The same three design areas mentioned in the article were also part of SHL’s Inspiring Innovation theme at this year’s 2013 PDA Conference in Basel, Switzerland, where different information stations were set up to share with customers how each of these areas are integrated into the design and production of SHL’s devices.
This new way of interacting with customers was well received as SHL invited staff from all areas of the company including moulding, engineering, mechanical design, industrial design and moulding experts. The chance to interact with these staff was really appreciated and generated much interest in not just the devices showcased, but also the manufacturing capabilities and capacities SHL is able to provide for its customers.
Below is a snippet of the article:
Understanding which types of design should be driving innovation at drug delivery device suppliers
As market demand for self-injection devices, such as auto-injectors, continues to grow at a rapid pace, greater emphasis is now being placed on how device companies can innovate.
This innovation centres on fulfilling the device needs of biopharmaceutical companies today and helping them bring their combination products to market. Steven Kaufman, global marketing director, SHL Group, writes here about the importance of design innovations that are required to make a drug delivery device by focusing on the areas of mechanical design, industrial design and manufacturing design.
Innovation continues to be a word that is frequently used throughout various industries today. However, when taking into consideration the conservative nature of the biopharmaceutical industry and the device companies that work within that industry, introducing new and innovative technologies can take a significant amount of time to implement.
Safety is always a priority and as a result, technologies that are proven on the market are generally preferred. When launched, the DAI disposable auto-injector set a new standard within the industry.
Not only was it easier to use and more intuitive than any other such device on the market, it incorporated some innovative safety solutions. A safety needle shield extended out after the injection was completed to help prevent needle-stick injuries.
A larger viewing window gave patients the ability to check the biologic prior to injection and also see the coloured plunger rod when the injection was compete. A patented interlock also helped to ensure that the device would only inject when the patient was ready.