System for measuring and managing injection volume of pen-type injection device using stepper motor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for measuring and managing the injection volume of a pen-type injection device using a stepper motor. The system for measuring and managing injection volume is mounted on a non-protruding pen-type injection device (1) to measure the injection volume of a drug. The system (100) for measuring and managing the injection volume of a pen-type injection device using a stepper motor comprises: a main body (110) detachably mounted on an injection device housing (10) of the pen-type injection device (1); a dose sensing module (120) including a dose setting knob contact wheel (121) and a stepper motor (125); a main control unit (130) for calculating the rotation angle of the dose setting knob (12); and an input / output interface (140) which is connected to the main control unit (130), receives a manipulation required for operation, and displays an operation state. The main control unit (130) acquires a drug dose calculation value through the calculated rotation angle of the dose setting knob (12), and then manages and displays the drug dose calculation value as injection history information.

Description

A system for measuring and managing the injection volume of a pen-type injection device using a stepper motor

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for measuring and managing the dosage of a pen-type injection device using a step motor, and is a dosage measuring and managing system that is mounted on a non-protruding pen-type injection device (1) and measures the dosage of a drug, comprising: a main body (110) detachably mounted on an injection device housing (10) of the pen-type injection device (1); a dosage detection module (120) that is installed on the main body (110) and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of a dosage setting knob (12) of the pen-type injection device (1); and a step motor (125) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the dosage setting knob contact wheel (121); and a main control unit (130) that receives an output of the step motor (125) through an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) (135) and calculates a rotation angle of the dosage setting knob (12). And, it is characterized by including an input / output interface (140) that is connected to the main control unit (130) and receives operations required for operation and displays the operation status;

[0002] The above main control unit (130) relates to a system (100) for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a step motor, characterized in that it obtains a drug dosage calculation value through the rotation angle of the calculated dosage setting knob (12), and then manages and displays the drug dosage calculation value as injection history information.

[0003] Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or utilizes it properly, preventing it from converting blood sugar (i.e., glucose) into energy. For these patients, it's crucial to inject the correct amount of insulin at the correct time. This is especially important because even if a blockage occurs during the insulin injection, the injection must still be administered at the correct time. Therefore, this approach is considered more important than simply injecting the correct amount.

[0004] Accordingly, diabetic patients utilize disposable portable injection devices (e.g., Sanofi's Solostar(R) insulin injection pen) as shown in FIG. 1 so that they can receive insulin injections as a treatment at any time during their daily lives, or reusable portable injection devices (e.g., Novo Nordisk's Flexpen® insulin injection pen) that can be used by exchanging cartridges. Accordingly, the injection device includes a cartridge loading portion into which a cartridge filled with insulin is mounted, and a pusher that pushes the cartridge to discharge insulin through a discharge portion and injects it into the patient.

[0005] These portable injection devices, commonly referred to as "insulin pens," offer advantages over insulin syringes, such as being easier and more convenient to use on the go, and enabling precise dosing with a simple dial operation. Numerous patent documents have been published regarding these insulin pens, including "Pen-Type Drug Injection Device with Dose Setting and Resetting Mechanism (Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0049538)."

[0006] Regardless of whether disposable or reusable, these manual portable injectors simply function as a set dosage and injector, making it fundamentally impossible to systematically record and manage the dosage and time of administration. Furthermore, their specifications, sizes, and shapes vary greatly across manufacturers and models.

[0007] Among these manual portable injection devices, there is also a so-called "non-protrusion" type in which, when the dose setting knob (12) for setting the injection amount is rotated, such as the "FlexTouch®" shown in Fig. 1, the injection button (11) and the dose setting knob (12) do not protrude or retract according to the setting operation, so that the overall length remains constant during use (hereinafter, a case having such an operating characteristic is referred to as a "non-protrusion type").

[0008] Meanwhile, regarding existing infusion measurement and management systems that are installed in these portable infusion devices to measure and manage the dosage, various inventions have been proposed, including "MEDICAL MODULE FOR DRUG DELIVERY PEN" (U.S. Patent No. 8,556,865).

[0009] However, these existing input measurement and management systems had the problem of requiring relatively expensive sensors or complex mechanical devices for measurement.

[0010] The present invention solves the problems of the above-mentioned existing invention, and aims to provide a system for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a useful stepper motor, which is widely used and has secured mechanical reliability, and which significantly reduces the manufacturing cost through a simple and efficient configuration using a miniaturized stepper motor.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-described task, the present invention provides a system for measuring and managing the dosage of a pen-type injection device using a stepper motor, which is mounted on a non-protruding pen-type injection device (1) and measures the dosage of a drug, comprising: a main body (110) detachably mounted on an injection device housing (10) of the pen-type injection device (1); a dosage detection module (120) which is installed on the main body (110) and includes a dosage setting knob contact wheel (121) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of a dosage setting knob (12) of the pen-type injection device (1); and a step motor (125) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the dosage setting knob contact wheel (121); and a main control unit (130) that receives an output of the stepper motor (125) through an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) (135) and calculates a rotation angle of the dosage setting knob (12). And, it is characterized in that it comprises an input / output interface (140) which is connected to the main control unit (130) and receives an operation required for operation and displays an operation status; and the main control unit (130) is characterized in that it obtains a drug dosage calculation value through the rotation angle of the calculated dosage setting knob (12), and then manages and displays the drug dosage calculation value as injection history information.

[0012] In addition, the dosage detection module (120) is configured to further include an acceleration gear (122) installed on the dosage setting knob contact wheel (121); and a pinion gear (126) mounted on the step motor (125) and operating with the acceleration gear (122); and is characterized in that the step motor (125) is configured to rotate at a predetermined speed or faster than the dosage setting knob contact wheel (121) through the acceleration gear (122) and the pinion gear (126).

[0013] In addition, it is configured to further include an injection detection sensor (160) installed in the main body (110) so as to detect the operation of the injection button (11); and the main control unit (130) is characterized in that it determines whether or not to inject based on detection by the injection detection sensor (160), and manages and displays the drug dosage calculation value as injection history information based on the injection whether or not.

[0014] In addition, the injection detection sensor (160) is configured as a capacitive sensor installed on the injection button (11) side of the main body (110), and the main control unit (130) is characterized in that it determines whether injection is being performed when a value detected by the capacitive sensor is maintained at a predetermined value or higher for a predetermined period of time.

[0015] Meanwhile, it further comprises a wireless communication unit (150) connected to the main control unit (130); and the wireless communication unit (150) is characterized in that it can be connected to at least one of a user terminal (200), a medical institution server (300), and a guardian terminal (400) through a communication network (N) to share and transmit the injection history information of the main control unit (130).

[0016] In the case of the present invention, it is widely used and its mechanical reliability is secured, and it has the advantage of being able to secure sufficient measurement precision while significantly reducing the manufacturing cost through a simple and efficient configuration using a miniaturized stepper motor.

[0017] In addition, there is an advantage in that the injection process can be detected through the injection detection sensor installed in the main body without having to separately attach a sensor or other component to the injection button for injection detection, enabling simpler and more efficient measurement.

[0018] Figure 1: A drawing showing the general configuration of a non-protruding pen-type injection device.

[0019] Figure 2: An external view of a system for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a step motor of a pen-type injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3: An external view showing the mounting relationship of a pen-type injection device injection amount measurement and management system using a step motor of a pen-type injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4: A block diagram showing the configuration of a system for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a step motor of a pen-type injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5: A drawing showing the configuration of the main mechanical components of a system for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a step motor of a pen-type injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6: A drawing showing the output signal characteristics of a system for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a stepper motor of a pen-type injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention when the stepper motor rotates in the forward direction.

[0024] Figure 7: A drawing showing the output signal characteristics of a system for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a stepper motor of a pen-type injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention when the stepper motor rotates in the reverse direction.

[0025]

[0026] *Explanation of symbols used in the drawing*

[0027] 1: Pen-type injection device

[0028] 10: Injector housing

[0029] 11: Injection button 12: Dose setting knob

[0030] 100: A system for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a stepper motor.

[0031] 110: Body 111: Body mounting fastening means

[0032] 120: Dose Detection Module

[0033] 121: Dose setting knob contact wheel 122: Acceleration gear

[0034] 125: Stepper motor 126: Pinion gear

[0035] 130: Main fishermen 135: ADC (Analog to Digital Converter)

[0036] 140: Input / output interface

[0037] 140a: Display 140b: Operation input section

[0038] 140c: Sound output means

[0039] 150: Wireless communication unit 160: Injection detection sensor

[0040] 200: User terminal 300: Medical institution server

[0041] 400: Guardian Terminal

[0042] N: Communication network

[0043] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, a detailed description will be given of a system for measuring and managing the injection volume of a pen-type injection device using a stepper motor according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components or parts are indicated by identical reference numerals throughout the drawings. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related, known functions or configurations are omitted to avoid obscuring the gist of the present invention.

[0044] First, a non-protruding pen-type injection device (1) equipped with an injection amount measurement and management system using a step motor according to one embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0045] In the case of this so-called "non-protruding type", there is no sleeve that protrudes / moves up / down from the outside when the dose setting knob (12) is operated. Accordingly, the injection button (11) also does not protrude or move in conjunction with the operation of the dose setting knob (12), and has the characteristic of maintaining the length of the entire injection device constant during the operation.

[0046] Hereinafter, a system for measuring and managing the injection amount of a pen-type injection device using a step motor according to one embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.

[0047] A system for measuring and managing the dosage of a pen-type injection device using a step motor according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the universal system for measuring and managing the dosage of a pen-type injection device using a dual IMU sensor is configured to include a main body (110), a dosage setting detection module (120), a main control unit (130), and an input / output interface (140), as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4.

[0048] First, the main body (110) will be described. The main body (110) is configured to be detachably mounted on the dosage setting knob (12) of the pen-type injection device (1), as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, it is preferable that the main body (110) further include a main body mounting means (111), as shown in FIG. 3, for stable fastening.

[0049] Next, the dosage detection module (120) will be described. The dosage detection module (120) is installed in the main body (110), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0050] The above dosage detection module (120) is configured to include a dosage setting knob contact wheel (121) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the dosage setting knob (12) of the pen-type injection device (1), as shown in FIG. 5, and a step motor (125) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the dosage setting knob contact wheel (121).

[0051] In this case, the step motor (125) outputs a power signal as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 when driven by an external force. In particular, the step motor (125) has a characteristic of outputting a sine wave AC pulse signal of one cycle when rotated by an external force by one step. Therefore, in order to precisely measure this even when the dose setting knob (12) rotates only by the minimum dose setting unit interval of the dose setting knob (12), it is preferable that the step motor (125) be configured to generate at least a predetermined integer number of sine wave AC pulse signals when the dose setting knob (122) rotates only by the minimum dose setting unit interval. In addition, in order to output a signal by electromagnetic induction from the step motor (125) as intended, the step motor (125) must be rotated at a certain speed or higher. Therefore, in order to precisely detect the rotation of the dose setting knob (12), as shown in FIG. 5, the dose detection module (120) is configured to further include an acceleration gear (122) installed on the dose setting knob contact wheel (121), and a pinion gear (126) mounted on the step motor (125) and operating with the acceleration gear (122), and it is preferable that the step motor (125) be configured to rotate at a predetermined speed or faster than the dose setting knob contact wheel (121) through the acceleration gear (122) and the pinion gear (126).

[0052] In this case, it is preferable that the predetermined speed is determined so that at least a predetermined integer number of sine wave AC pulse signals are generated from the step motor (125) when the dosage setting knob (122) is rotated only by the minimum dosage setting unit interval.

[0053] Next, the main control unit (130) will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the main control unit (130) is configured to receive the output of the step motor (125) through an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) (135) and calculate the rotation angle of the dosage setting knob (12).

[0054] In this case, the output of the step motor (125) has distinct output characteristics as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 depending on the rotation direction. In addition, the number of sine wave AC pulse signals detected in the output of the step motor (125) is directly proportional to the rotation angle of the dosage setting knob (12). Therefore, the main control unit (130) can accurately calculate and measure the rotation angle and rotation direction of the dosage setting knob (12) through the output of the step motor (125), and based on this, the main control unit (130) obtains a drug dosage calculation value through the calculated rotation angle of the dosage setting knob (12), and then manages and displays the drug dosage calculation value as injection history information.

[0055] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the main control unit (130) be connected to an input / output interface (140) that receives operations required for operation and displays the operation status, as shown in FIG. 4, and is connected to the main control unit (130).

[0056] In this case, the input / output interface (140) can be implemented in various embodiments, and as one embodiment, the input / output interface (140) can be configured to include a display (140a) that displays the operating status, and an operation input unit (140b) that receives a user's operation input such as turning the operation on / off. Meanwhile, the display (140a) and the operation input unit (140b) can also be implemented in an integrated manner through a touch screen display. In addition, it is preferable that the input / output interface (114) further include an audio output means (140c) for outputting a warning sound or an alarm sound, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0057] Meanwhile, the dosage setting knob (12) can be operated in a forward or reverse direction to set the dosage during the dosage setting process, and when the injection button (11) is pressed after the dosage setting process is completed and the injection process is performed, the drug dosage calculation value is determined.

[0058] It is preferable to further include an injection detection sensor (160) installed in the main body (110) so as to detect the operation of the injection button (11) during the injection process. In this case, it is preferable that the main control unit (130) determines whether or not to inject based on detection by the injection detection sensor (160), and manages and displays the drug dosage calculation value as injection history information based on the injection whether or not.

[0059] Meanwhile, there are many different embodiments for implementing the injection detection sensor (160), and as one embodiment, the injection detection sensor (160) is configured as a capacitive sensor installed on the injection button (11) side of the main body (110), and it is preferable that the main control unit (130) determines whether injection is in progress when a value detected by the capacitive sensor is maintained at a predetermined value or higher for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0060] That is, when the injection detection sensor (160) is configured as a capacitive sensor, the characteristic that the dose setting knob (12) and the injection button (11) are configured adjacently and the characteristic of the capacitive sensor (the change in capacitance is detected not only by direct contact but also by a nearby object), it is possible to detect the user's body (e.g., thumb) pressing the injection button (11), and even when the dose setting knob (12) is held and operated for dosage setting, a detection value can be detected. In this case, the value sensed by the capacitive sensor installed toward the injection button (11) is greater (i.e., the object or body to be sensed is at a closer distance) when the injection button (11) is pressed than when the dose setting knob (12) is held and operated. In addition, during the injection process, the injection button (11) is continuously pressed and fixed, so it has the characteristic that the detected value is maintained for a predetermined time without significant change during the injection period.

[0061] By utilizing these characteristics, the main control unit (130) determines that an injection is in progress when the value detected by the capacitive sensor is greater than a predetermined value (i.e., a value determined within a range greater than the detection value when the dose setting knob (12) is gripped and operated, and less than the detection value when the injection button (11) is pressed) and maintained for a predetermined period of time, thereby enabling the injection to be detected by distinguishing between whether the injection button (11) is pressed and the dosage setting process.

[0062] Meanwhile, in order to enable the storage and management of the above-mentioned injection history information using an external device, it is preferable that the main control unit (130) be configured to be further connected to a wireless communication unit (150) as shown in FIG. 4.

[0063] In this case, it is preferable that the main control unit (130) be connected to at least one of a user terminal (200), a medical institution server (300), and a guardian terminal (400) using a communication network (N) as shown in FIG. 4 through the line communication unit (150) to transmit the injection history information.

[0064] In this case, the user terminal (200) and the guardian terminal (400) may be a personal computer, a portable terminal, or an Internet of Things-based terminal. In FIG. 4, the user terminal (200) and the guardian terminal (400) are depicted as having a shape similar to a smart phone, but the spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto, and a terminal equipped with a terminal application as described above may be used without limitation.

[0065] To explain this in more detail, the user terminal (200) and the guardian terminal (400) may include any form of a computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), a media computing platform (e.g., cable, satellite set-top box, digital video recorder), a handheld computing device (e.g., PDA, email client, etc.), a mobile phone, or any form of other computing or communication platform, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, the user terminal (200) may also be configured to include a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system.

[0066] The above communication network (N) serves to connect at least one of the user terminal (200), the medical institution server (300), and the guardian terminal (400) with the wireless main body wireless communication unit (116). That is, the communication network (N) refers to a communication network that provides a connection path so that at least one of the user terminal (200), the medical institution server (300), and the guardian terminal (400) and the wireless main body wireless communication unit (116) can transmit and receive data. The communication network (N) may encompass wired networks such as LANs (Local Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks), MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks), and ISDNs (Integrated Service Digital Networks), or wireless networks such as wireless LANs, CDMA, Bluetooth, and satellite communication, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0067]

[0068] The drawings and specifications above have disclosed optimal embodiments. While specific terminology has been used herein, it is solely for the purpose of describing the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a drug injection amount measurement and management system mounted on a non-protruding pen-type injection device (1), A main body (110) detachably mounted on the injection device housing (10) of the pen-type injection device (1); A dose detection module (120) installed in the main body (110) and configured to include a dose setting knob contact wheel (121) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the dose setting knob (12) of the pen-type injection device (1), and a step motor (125) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the dose setting knob contact wheel (121); A main control unit (130) that receives the output of the step motor (125) through an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) (135) and calculates the rotation angle of the dosage setting knob (12); It is characterized by comprising an input / output interface (140) that is connected to the above main control unit (130) and receives operations required for operation and displays the operation status; The above subject control unit (130) is A pen-type injection device injection amount measurement and management system (100) using a step motor, characterized in that the drug dosage amount calculation value is obtained through the rotation angle of the calculated dosage setting knob (12), and the drug dosage amount calculation value is managed and displayed as injection history information.

2. In claim 1, The above dosage detection module (120) is An acceleration gear (122) installed on the above dosage setting knob contact wheel (121); It is further configured to include a pinion gear (126) mounted on the step motor (125) and operating with the acceleration gear (122); A pen-type injection amount measuring and management system (100) using a step motor, characterized in that the step motor (125) is configured to rotate at a predetermined speed or faster than the dose setting knob contact wheel (121) through the acceleration gear (122) and the pinion gear (126).

3. In claim 2, It is further configured to include an injection detection sensor (160) installed in the main body (110) so as to detect the operation of the injection button (11); The above subject control unit (130) is Whether or not to inject is determined based on detection by the above injection detection sensor (160), A pen-type injection device injection amount measurement and management system (100) using a step motor, characterized in that the drug dosage calculation value is managed and displayed as injection history information according to the above injection status.

4. In claim 3, The above injection detection sensor (160) is composed of a capacitive sensor installed on the side of the injection button (11) in the main body (110), The above subject control unit (130) is A pen-type injection device injection amount measurement and management system (100) using a step motor, characterized in that it determines whether injection is in progress when the value detected by the capacitive sensor is maintained above a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time.

5. In claim 3, It further comprises a wireless communication unit (150) connected to the above main control unit (130); The above wireless communication unit (150) A pen-type injection amount measurement and management system (100) using a step motor of a pen-type injection device, characterized in that it is connected to at least one of a user terminal (200), a medical institution server (300), and a guardian terminal (400) through a communication network (N) and can share and transmit the injection history information of the main control unit (130).

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