Prefilled injection pen [FlexTouch/FlexPro]

Outline* The shown information is the one as of the awarded date and might has been changed.

Outline: FlexTouch and FlexPro are novel easy-to-use prefilled injection pens* that deliver insulin to diabetes patients and growth hormone to children/adults, respectively. FlexTouch and FlexPro are the only prefilled injection pens with no push-button extension regardless of dose size, making the push-button easier to reach and depress, and a very low injection force* due to an 'easy-touch' push-button. These features are designed to simplify and improve the injection experience for users.
Producer: Christopher Knudsen (Novo Nordisk A/S),Thomas Miller (Novo Nordisk A/S)
Director: Thomas D. Miller (Novo Nordisk A/S)
Designer: Bo Radmer (Novo Nordisk A/S), Christian Enggaard (Novo Nordisk A/S), Tom Markussen (Novo Nordisk A/S),Thomas Miller (Novo Nordisk A/S); Designers
More information: http://www.novonordisk.com/diabetes/public/insulinpens/flextouch/default.asp
Already on the market: 2011/10/1

Evaluation

Because drug injectors are used by patients on a daily basis, they need to be highly user-friendly and suitable for a wide range of customers from children through to the elderly. The special functional feature of this injector, evolved from the earlier, conventional type, is that when the medicine is injected, the entire process can be completed with a single pushing action thanks to a spring mechanism. This gives children, elderly people, and other patients who lack sufficient strength or whose hands are unsteady more confidence in carrying out the self-injection procedure. This version improves on earlier models by changing the shape of the push-down button and altering the diameter of the tube so that the user can grip it more easily. It is also simple to fit replacement needles and usability is enhanced through the different coloring for different types of drugs. We thought this was a good example of the problem-solving approach to design.