Episode #49
Mechanical or Electromechanical? Designing for the User
Episode Description: Most drug delivery devices are mechanical by default: a spring, a click, a color that shifts from yellow to green. As drug delivery and medical devices become more complex, electromechanical engineering is opening new possibilities for functionality, usability, feedback, and patient experience. In this episode of Life Science Solutions , Chris Adkins talks with Andrew King about what goes into developing electromechanical devices, from the early concept through prototyping, testing, and formal development. Andrew brings hands-on experience designing drug delivery systems where mechanics, electronics, software, sensors, and controls all have to work as one. Topics Include: Mechanical vs. Electromechanical: What actually makes a device electromechanical (electronics core to the function, not a sensor bolted on), and why that distinction shapes how a team is built. The Case for Complexity: Why teams move past off-the-shelf mechanical devices, driven by adherence gaps, patient discomfort, and physical or cognitive impairment. Devices That Communicate: How electromechanical systems replace ambiguous clicks and color changes with speech, imagery, animations, tones, and haptics. When Simpler Means Electromechanical: A multi-dose, needle-indexing project that went from an over-complicated mechanical design to a simpler, cheaper, more capable electromechanical one in days. Decisions, Not Features: Why the real risk is analysis paralysis, and how an experienced team helps a project recognize when good is good enough. Prototype to Formal Development: How to tell when a prototype is ready for design controls, and why failing a DV test should come as a surprise. Purposeful Complexity and Sustainability: The shift from Cadillac halo products to solving real use-case problems, plus multi-use devices that reduce waste per dose. How much complexity does a device actually need? Take a listen to hear from our experts. Subscribe to Life Science Solutions for more conversations about the science, engineering, technology, quality, and regulatory considerations shaping the life sciences industry.
