| OUR TEAMLAB 1 WRITE-UPHealth Care IssueOne of the problems that plague developing countries is the rampant disease that impede the growth of their civilization. There are so many different afflictions that stem from problems with sanitation and famine, and while treatable, resources are scarce in third world countries. According to statistics from the United Nations Children's Fund [1], for example, there are "about one million child deaths" per year due to malaria, a disease caused by a parasite carried by mosquitoes, which are born from standing water. This, along with other diseases such as cholera, Typhoid fever, measles, tetanus, and Hib, are all treatable or preventable through vaccination [2]. Another statistic reported by Doctors without Borders states that "immunization helps avert an estimated 2.5 million deaths each year, as well as millions more bouts of illness and disability." [3] While governments and other helpful groups try to administer vaccines, they simply cannot cover most of the population. There are many reasons for this, including that "health services are poorly provided or inaccessible, [sic] families are uninformed or misinformed about when and why to bring their children for immunization" [4]. Funds for skilled labor and funds for vaccines themselves are also low, leading to difficulty for group immunity because the majority of the population must be immunized in order for there to be a lasting effect on the community.
 
 While as a company, we cannot account for these obstacles, it is possible to try to fix the lack of skilled labor problem. Our solution is to mass produce cheap containers of vaccines that can be widely dispersed within a population and can be used easily enough to be self administered. These would be in the form of single use, disposable auto-injectors, each pre-packaged with a single dose of the vaccine. They would also include sanitizer to clean the area before vaccination. This way, there should be an increased spread of immunization within a community as people could do it themselves. It would only require a couple of trusted experts to educate the population on how to self-administer the vaccination and why they should.
 This product will initially target the malaria parasite, which is common in third world countries, but can and will be modified for other common diseases. 
 
 
 Customer ValidationHere is a list of organizations/groups that could potentially be interested in buying our device:
 Format:
 * Organization/Group
**Contact info
**Website
 
 
 Groups/organizations1. MVI Path, Malaria Vaccine Initiative- 
 Contact  llauffer@path.org or 206.302.4831 for a business proposal
 2. APMEN, Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network 
 3. ACTMalaria Foundation, Asian Collaborative Training Network for Malaria 
 Call +63-2-536-5627 or email infonetwork@actmalaria.net
 4. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 
 Washington DC Office (202) 662-8130
 5. Malaria No More 
 joel.frushone@malarianomore.org
 6. CDC Foundation 
 404.653.0790  or cdcinfo@cdc.gov.
 7. PATH
 206.285.3500 or info@path.org
 8. RollBack Malaria 
 Central Africa-Claude Emile Rwagacondo Phone +221 338695865
 9. USAID 	
 202-712-0000	-multiple partnership/grant opportunities
 10. WHO Global Malaria Programme 
 +41 22 791 2533 or infogmp@who.int
 11. Against Malaria Foundation GiveWell 
 415-689-5803 or info@givewell.org
 12. Jeffrey W Gaver MD Internal Doctor 
 451 E University Dr Tempe, AZ 85281 ; (480) 965-3346
 13. Paul Wilson PhD Global Health Policy
 646-236-5312; pw2101@columbia.edu
 14. Doctors without Borders 
 15. WWARN WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network 
 16. The Karen Hospital- Nairobi City, Kenya 
 17. Ugandan Ministry of Health
 +256 417 712260; info@health.go.ug
 18. Save the Children 
 19. Ministry of Health of Ghana
 +233 302 665651; info@moh.gov.gh
 20. Doctors of the World 
 
 Competitors
| Organization/Competitor | | Advantages | | Disadvantages | |  
| Doctors | Guaranteed effective vaccination delivery  Chain of custody is secure  
 People trust people, rather than objects
 | Lack of doctors and educated workers so very few people can be vaccinated  Funds to send doctors are low
 Security and safety of doctors in addition to that of vaccines adds to financial cost
 Forces doctors to focus on routine procedures rather than more important and immediately threatening issues
 |  
| Our Product (Vaccine Administered by Disposable Autoinjector) | Almost anyone could administer a vaccine  Could be widely distributed
 Does not require any prior knowledge to use
 Does not require a professional to operate
 | People are managing their own doses  Proper disposal of auto-injectors could be difficult, lead to more sanitation issues 
 Civilian access to needles is dangerous
 Culture against vaccination could be bigger issue without doctors as trusted experts
 |  
 
 IP Position
 The auto-injector industry is already quite filled.EpiPen is one of the leading patent owners in the industry and they keep a tight hold in the market
 There are also plenty of other designs out there that have been created in order to replace EpiPen such as Adrenaclick and Impax
 When directly addressing the patent market for vaccine autoinjectors, there are different results
 Most patents under this field require electricity or some other power source. Our device will be devoted toward a powerless pneumatic or spring based system to administer the liquid. Also, these other devices are meant to be reused via capsule/other methods, ours are meant to be disposed.
 
 Epipen/Automatic injector [5]Publication Number: US6767336B1 Assignee: Sheldon Kaplan
 File Date:2003-01-09
 The automatic injector is a spring and piston based injector based on the release of potential energy. After the removal of the safety cap, the user may position the injector onto their skin so that when pressed, the compressed spring inside will push the needle into the tissue, and the liquid medication will be released through the needle.
 https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US6767336B1/US06767336-20040727-D00000.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US6767336B1/US06767336-20040727-D00002.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US6767336B1/US06767336-20040727-D00002.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US6767336B1/US06767336-20040727-D00003.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US6767336B1/US06767336-20040727-D00004.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US6767336B1/US06767336-20040727-D00005.png
 Disposable auto-injector for prefilled syringes[6]Publication Number: US5681291A Assignee: Tebro
 File Date: 1993-10-18
 The disposable auto-injector for prefilled syringes takes a normal syringe and by using two devices that hold syringe, allows for first, automatic needle penetration, and second, the actual injection of medication into the tissue. It also automatically covers the needle after injection to avoid injury.
 https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/pages/US5681291-1.png
 
 Apparatus and methods for self-administration of vaccines and other medicaments[7]Publication Number: US9555191 B2 Assignee: Kaleo, Inc
 File Date: 2016-02-16
 This auto-injector uses electronics to both remind the user to administer the vaccine and to administer the vaccine itself.
 https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/d9/9d/a3/43095938cdface/US09555191-20170131-D00000.png
 
 Publication Number: WO2000007530A3 Filing Date: 2 Aug 1999
 Assignee: Insite Vision Inc
 This product focuses on the injection of certain agents into thin tissues.
 
 Needle injection-facilitating device[9]Publication Number: WO2000061209A1 *Filing Date: 17 Sep 1999
 Assignee: Thomas Randall Inkpen
 This device helps stabilize and guide the syringe that will be injected into a subject, necessary for the creation of auto-injectors for self-administration of drugs or vaccines.
 
 Vaccine delivery device[10]Publication Number: WO2002083214A1 *Filing Date: 5 Apr 2002
 Assignee: Glaxosmithkline Biologicals S.A.
 The product describes the use of prefilled vaccines being delivered by syringe.
 
 Microneedle transdermal transport device[11]Publication Number: WO2003037404A1 *Filing Date: 21 Oct 2002
 Assignee: Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
 This product uses microneedles as a transport system that includes a reservoir and can include an actuator, sensor and pump to administer the fluid.
 
 Publication Number: CN102858390A *Filing Date: 11 Mar 2011
 Assignee: Sid科技有限责任公司
 This product is a kind of syringe used in administering drugs.
 
 Dermale Zugangsvorrichtung[13]Publication Number: DE102010001506A1 *Filing Date: 2 Feb 2010
 Assignee: Vosseler, Michael, 78073
 This product is a dermal access device for intradermal injection use.
 http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/DE102010001506A1/00230000.png
 
 Vaccine delivery device[14]Publication Number: EP2098259A1 *Filing Date: 5 Apr 2002
 Assignee: Glaxosmithkline Biologicals S.A.
 This is a product that involves a pre-filled vaccine delivery mechanism through syringe.
 
 Methods of ophthalmic administration[15]Publication Number: US6378526Filing Date: 3 Aug 1998
 Assignee: Insite Vision, Incorporated
 This patent details a method of intrascleral injection.
 http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US6378526B1/US06378526-20020430-D00000.png
 
 Transdermal transport device with suction[16]Publication Number: US7066922Filing Date: 21 Oct 2002
 Assignee: Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
 This patent uses a reservoir of the active agent that includes the a vacuum generator.
 http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US7066922B2/US07066922-20060627-D00000.png
 
 Microneedle transdermal transport device[17]Publication Number: US7364568Filing Date: 21 Oct 2002
 Assignee:Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
 This device uses microneedles to administer drugs through the dermis.
 http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US7364568B2/US07364568-20080429-D00000.png
 
 Microneedle transport device[18]Publication Number: US7429258Filing Date: 9 Sep 2002
 Assignee: Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
 This microneedle device uses two actuators to drive the needles into the tissue and to administer the medication.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US7429258B2/US07429258-20080930-D00000.png
 
 Controlled needle-free transport[19]Publication Number: US7833189Filing Date: 13 Feb 2006
 Assignee: Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
 This device uses an electromagnetic actuator to administer a fluid.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US7833189B2/US07833189-20101116-D00000.png
 
 Needle-free injector device with autoloading capability[20]Publication Number: US8172790Filing Date: 31 Aug 2007
 Assignee: Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
 This involves using a controllable magnet and electromagnetic actuator with a nozzle to administer the fluid.
 http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US8172790B2/US08172790-20120508-D00000.png
 
 Controlled needle-free transport[21]Publication Number: US8328755Filing Date: 18 Oct 2010
 Assignee: Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
 This device uses a needle-free method of transferring the fluid from the reservoir to the tissue.
 http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US8328755B2/US08328755-20121211-D00000.png
 
 Non-live trivalent influenza vaccine for one-dose intradermal delivery[22]Publication Number: US8557251Filing Date: 13 Jun 2007
 Assignee: Glaxosmithkline Biologicals, Sa
 This patent is specifically about a vaccine for influenza.
 
 Improvements relating to the insertion of a medical needle[23]Publication Number: US8758300Filing Date: 29 Mar 2007
 Assignee: Olberon Medical Innovation Sas
 This patent is about the partial insertion of a needle into the body.
 http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US8758300B2/US08758300-20140624-D00000.png
 Intravenous needle insertion or cannulation[24]Publication Number: US8795229Filing Date: 24 May 2007
 Assignee: Olberon Medical Innovation Sas
 This patent describes a manner of inserting an intravenous needle into the body.
 http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US8795229B2/US08795229-20140805-D00000.png
 Intradermal pen adapter[25]Publication Number: US8876764Filing Date: 20 Jan 2012
 Assignee: Sid Technologies, Llc
 This patent describes a pen that helps inject fluid into the tissue.
 https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/8f/bb/42/0ca72dde2ce4e8/US08876764-20141104-D00000.png
 Controlled needle-free transport[26]Publication Number: US8992466Filing Date: 7 Dec 2012
 Assignee: Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
 This patent involves an electromagnetic actuator that directs fluid from the reservoir to the body.
 https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/thumbnails/US7833189B2/US07833189-20101116-D00000.png
 Intradermal injection adapter[27]Publication Number: US9089655Filing Date: 23 Jul 2010
 Assignee: Sid Technologies, Llc
 This patent is a method of injecting fluid into the tissue with a transparent portion.
 https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/07/d9/05/e938a4683c3b46/US09089655-20150728-D00000.png
 
 Fundability Worksheet ScoresCompetitors: 1
 There is a huge market for auto-injectors and there is a large market for vaccines, but there is a very slim market for auto injecting vaccines, and disposable means of vaccination are similarly small. The difficulty is that currently, there has been only one way of administering vaccines in third world countries: through doctors and normal syringes. However, the idea is that by introducing a way of self-administering vaccines, or by requiring no skill or intensive training to administer the vaccines, immunization will be more readily available to communities, and more widespread as well. Due to the advantages outweighing the current status quo, and the constant research into how to make vaccination more common and effective in third world countries, a disposable auto-injector of vaccines should be adaptable as a new and more efficient way of immunization. As a result, the current score for our product is a 1.  
 Customer Validation: 1
 
 Customer validation is scored a one due to lack of feedback. However, it is believed that while doctors and other medical professionals will be cautious towards the idea of self-administered vaccinations or vaccines administered by people with non-medical backgrounds or training, the eventual ability of the actual medically trained professionals to focus on treatment rather than prevention should make the disposable auto-injector of vaccines a realistic product. Cultures and governments that are hesitant against vaccination may feel the same towards the use of auto-injectors, but those can be assuaged with a few trusted experts in the field as well as the intervention by organizations that work in these countries. The organizations will also be able to gather funds to send more "multi-use" volunteers and professionals that can teach people to administer the drugs as well as do other things in their time there. 
 IP Position: 1
 The patent library for more auto-injectors is already saturated. The only reason why we are confident in that our product will be able to be used, is the simple fact that most of the patents in this field are expiring, especially due to the amount of time it would take for the product to be fully designed and implementable. Also, while there are many patents that have to do with auto-injectors, disposable auto-injectors, and automatic needle insertion in general, they do not include self sanitizing aspects that this product will have. Many of the patents currently in the library are also renewals or are for certain vaccination techniques, such as needle shields.
 SourcesWorks Cited
 “Fact Sheet about Malaria.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, Apr. 2017, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs094/en/ . Accessed 5 Sept. 2017.
 “First-Generation Vaccine.” Malaria Vaccine Initiative, 24 Apr. 2017, http://www.malariavaccine.org/malaria-and-vaccines/first-generation-vaccine. Accessed 5 Sept. 2017.
 “Immunization.” How Does Immunization Work?, 27 Aug. 2004, http://www.unicef.org/immunization/index_how.html.
 “Immunization.” UNICEF - Immunization - Why Are Children Dying?, 2 Mar. 2005, http://www.unicef.org/immunization/index_why.html. Accessed 5 Sept. 2017.
 Pang, T. “Vaccination in Developing Countries: Problems, Challenges, and Opportunities .” Global Perspectives in Health , vol. 2. http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c03/e1-14-05-06.pdf
 “US5681291A - Disposable Auto-Injector for Prefilled Syringes.” Google Patents, Google, http://wwww.patents.google.com/patent/US5681291A/en?q=autoinjector. Accessed 5 Sept. 2017.
 “Vaccine Delivery.” Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Development/Vaccine-Delivery.
 “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.” UNICEF, 17 June 2003, http://www.unicef.org/wash/index_wes_related.html. Accessed 5 Sept. 2017.
 Wilson, Paul. “Giving Developing Countries the Best Shot: An Overview of Vaccine Access and R&D.” MSF USA, OXfam International , 11 May 2010, 
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/special-report/giving-developing-countries-best-shot-overview-vaccine-access-and-rd.
 Le, Cheminant Eric, and North Shore Laboratories Pty. Ltd. “Injection Device.” Google Books, 14 Sept. 1994, http://www.google.com.pg/patents/WO1995007722A1?cl=zh.
 “US9089655B2 - Intradermal Injection Adapter.” Google Patents, Google, http://www.patents.google.com/patent/US9089655B2/en.
 Inkpen, Thomas Randall, and Laura Jean Williamson. “ Needle Injection-Facilitating Device.” Google Books, 17 Sept. 1999, http://www.google.com.pg/patents/WO2000061209A1?cl=zh.
 
 Patents
 Kaplan, Sheldon. Automatic Injector. 09 Jan. 2003
 Galli, Rosaria. Disposable Auto-Injector for Prefilled Syringes. 18 Oct. 1997.
 Edwards, Erik. Apparatus and methods for self-administration of vaccines and other medicaments. 16 Feb. 2016
 Insite Vision Inc. Injection Apparatus. 2 Aug 1999
 Inkpen, Thomas. Needle injection-Facilitating device. 17 Sep 1999
 Biologicals S.A., Galaxosmithkline. Vaccine Delivery Device. 5 Apr. 2002
 Institute of Technology, Massachusetts. Microneedle Transdermal Transport Device. 21 Oct 2002
 Sid科技有限责任公司. 与注射器一起使用的组件. 11 Mar. 2011
 Vosseler, Michael, 78073. Dermal Zugangsvorrichtung. 2 Feb. 2010
 Biologicals S.A. Glaxosmithkline, . Vaccine Delivery Device. 5 Apr. 2002
 Insite Vision Inc. Methods of ophthalmic administration. 3 Aug. 1998
 Institute of Technology, Massachusetts. Transdermal transport device with suction. 21 Oct 2002v
Institute of Technology, Massachusetts. Microneedle Transdermal Transport Device. 21 Oct 2002
 Institute of Technology, Massachusetts. Microneedle Transport Device. 9 Sep.2002
 Institute of Technology, Massachusetts. Controlled Needle-Free Transport. 13 Feb 2006
 Institute of Technology, Massachusetts. Needle-free injector device with autoloading capability. 31 Aug 2007
 Institute of Technology, Massachusetts. Controlled needle-free transport. 18 Oct. 2010
 
 
 
 |