Optimize Activation Force with Specialty Gels & Fluids

As new parenteral drug products are developed, they often require easy-to-use, precise, consistent, portable, safe, and stable devices to deliver the drug into the body. Carefully designed, innocuous, and precisely controlled lubricants and motion control (damping) gels from Nye assist device designers and manufacturers confronted with functionality and usability challenges related to the control of motion and friction. Ensuring appropriate device activation force may be one of those challenges.

For example, drug delivery devices may utilize a button or slide to trigger device operation. These actuators must be designed for the patient population, and it is important that the trigger is purposefully and not accidently actuated to avoid inappropriate delivery. The activation force must be high enough to avoid a false start, but also low enough to allow a young, old, or infirm patient to easily trigger the device.

How Can Gels & Fluids Optimize Activation Force?

While there are many mechanical approaches to drug delivery activation, a gel or fluid can help to resolve any surface friction variation that may lead to improper operation. Whether it is plastic-on-plastic or metal-on-metal friction, the lubrication properties of a gel or fluid can be optimized or customized to control the amount of force required to activate the device.

Ensure Consistent Performance

The supply chain presents challenges for drug delivery devices such as:

• Long shelf-life
• Shock and vibration
• Temperature variation

Many parenteral drug products must be stored at low temperature which yields an additional risk as patients might use the device before it has warmed to the correct temperature range. In warmer climates, devices may be actuated above normal room temperatures. We’ll select or develop the right gel or fluid that optimizes mechanism functionality while also staying in its intended location, remaining structurally stable over time and temperature, and displaying appropriate materials compatibility.

Partner with the Industry Experts!

With a breadth of experience in this industry, a choice of solutions, and extensive tribological, physical and rheological testing capabilities, Nye’s Research and Development team are ready to partner with you.  Our projects are discretely and effectively managed and our ISO 13485:2016 QS certification ensures that partners receive the specification development, documentation and audit support they need, as well as batch-to-batch consistency. We’ll assist from concept to the industrialization phase of your device, and beyond.

Want to learn more? Contact us to let us know how we can help with your application.