DETECTOR DEVICE AND POSITION DETECTOR FOR CARTRIDGES - Patent application

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a detector apparatus for detecting a position of an object with respect to a first direction, the object including a leading edge and a trailing edge separated from one another in the first direction, and the object being movable relative to the detector apparatus in the first direction. The detector apparatus includes a first detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, the first detector including a first detection area sensitive to the electromagnetic radiation, the first detection area being bounded by a first detection leading edge and a first detection trailing edge, the first detection leading edge being separated from the first detection trailing edge in the first direction. At least one of the first detection leading edge and the first detection trailing edge extends non-parallel to at least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the object.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a detector apparatus and a position detector for a medicament-filled cartridge, the detector apparatus and the position detector being operable to determine a position of a stopper movable along a first direction relative to the cartridge. A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cartridge with the position detector. A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a drug delivery device configured to receive a medicament-filled cartridge, the drug delivery device further comprising the position detector. [Background technology]

[0002] Drug delivery devices for setting and dispensing single or multiple doses of liquid medicaments are well known per se in the art. Generally, such devices have a purpose substantially similar to that of a conventional syringe.

[0003] Drug delivery devices such as pen injectors must meet a number of user-specific requirements. For example, in the case of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, the patient may be physically frail and may also have visual impairments. Therefore, a suitable drug delivery device, especially intended for home drug therapy, must be robust in construction and easy to use. Furthermore, the operation and overall handling of the device and its components must be straightforward and easily understandable. Such an injection device should provide for the setting of variable-sized drug doses and their subsequent dispensing. Furthermore, the procedure for dose setting and dose dispensing must be easy to operate and clear.

[0004] Typically, such devices include a housing or a specific cartridge holder adapted to receive a drug container, e.g. in the form of a cartridge, at least partly filled with the drug to be expelled. The device further includes a drive mechanism, which typically includes a displaceable plunger or piston rod for operatively engaging a bung or piston of the drug container or cartridge. By means of the drive mechanism and its piston rod, the bung or piston of the cartridge can be displaced in a distal or dispensing direction, thus expelling a predetermined amount of drug through a piercing assembly, e.g. in the form of a syringe needle, which is connected or releasably connectable to the outlet end of the drug container. In a reusable drug delivery device, the empty cartridge can be replaced by a filled cartridge. In contrast, a disposable type drug delivery device is to be discarded in its entirety when the dispensing of the drug in the cartridge is completed or when it is exhausted.

[0005] It is generally desirable to determine the amount of drug remaining in a cartridge while the cartridge is disposed inside a drug delivery device. A method has been described for determining the position of a stopper in a drug ampoule of a medical instrument by means of a light source and a light sensitive sensor surface.

[0006] When utilizing a plurality of separate light-sensitive sensors, such as photodiodes, arranged along a row extending along the movement direction of the cartridge stopper, there are unavoidable gaps between successively or adjacently arranged photodiodes. If the edge of the stopper coincides with or overlaps such a gap, the accuracy of the localization may be reduced. On the one hand, the use of a fairly simple and cost-effective light detector, for example an array of light detectors in the form of photodiodes, is beneficial for use in disposable injection devices. However, the spatial resolution of the position detection is limited by the gap size between adjacently arranged photodiodes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved detector device and an improved position detector, which allows to improve the accuracy of position detection and to improve the spatial resolution of the detector device or position detector, while at the same time avoiding a substantial increase in the costs of manufacturing and assembly. Furthermore, the solution should be implementable at low or reasonable cost based on low-cost separate light-sensitive elements or detectors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one aspect, a detector device is provided for detecting a position of an object with respect to a first direction of movement. The object includes a front edge and a rear edge. The front edge is separated from the rear edge in or along the first direction. The object is movable relative to the detector device with respect to the first direction. Typically, the object is movable relative to the detector device along the first direction. The object may be movable relative to the detector device only along or with respect to the first direction.

[0009] The detector device includes a first detector. The first detector is configured or operable to detect electromagnetic radiation. The first detector includes a first detection area. The first detection area is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. The first detection area is delimited by a first detection leading edge and a first detection trailing edge. The first detection leading edge is separate from the first detection trailing edge in or with respect to the first direction. Typically, with respect to a first direction of movement of the object relative to the detector device, the first detection leading edge and the first detection trailing edge form or constitute respectively distal and proximal edges or boundaries of the first detection area.

[0010] At least one of the first detection leading edge and the first detection trailing edge extends non-parallel to at least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the object. Typically, at least one of the first detection leading edge is oriented or extends at a non-zero angle with respect to an edge extension or extension of at least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the object. Typically, at least one of the first detection leading edge and the first detection trailing edge is tilted or angled with respect to an edge orientation or extension of at least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the object.

[0011] In some examples, both the first detection leading edge and the first detection trailing edge extend non-parallel or at a non-zero angle with respect to at least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the object. In some examples, both the first detection leading edge and the first detection trailing edge extend non-parallel or at a non-zero angle with respect to both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the object.

[0012] In some examples, the first detected leading edge and the first detected trailing edge extend parallel to one another. Additionally or alternatively, the leading edge and trailing edge of the object also extend parallel to one another.

[0013] The non-parallel or inclined configuration or orientation of at least one of the first detection front edge and the first detection rear edge with respect to at least one of the front edge and the rear edge of the object realizes the benefit that the mutual coverage or spatial overlap of the object and the first detector will vary gradually, continuously, and smoothly when the object moves along a first direction relative to the first detector. The situation and configuration in which one of the rear edge and the front edge suddenly reaches or reaches a non-overlapping configuration with respect to one of the first detection rear edge and the first detection front edge can be effectively avoided. In this way, the spatial resolution of the detector device can be improved without the need to reduce the gap size between adjacently arranged detectors and / or the need to reduce the size of the separate detectors of the detector device.

[0014] In some examples, the first detector's first detection leading edge faces substantially in a first direction of the object's motion. The first detector's trailing edge faces substantially in the opposite direction. The object's leading edge may coincide with the object's leading surface. The object's trailing edge may coincide with the object's trailing surface. The object's leading surface typically includes a surface normal that extends substantially parallel to the first direction. The object's trailing surface includes a surface normal that extends substantially parallel to a direction diametrically opposite the first direction.

[0015] The perpendicular bisector of the first detection front edge extends at a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction. The same is true for each perpendicular bisector of the first detection rear edge. The angle between the perpendicular bisector of the first detection front edge and the first direction may be in the range of 1° to 45°. The angle may be in the range of 1° to 30°. The angle may be in the range of 1° to 20°. The angle may be in the range of 1° to 10°. The angle may be in the range of 2° to 5°. The angle may be in the range of 5° to 15°. The angle may be in the range of 5° to 10°.

[0016] The particular angle between the perpendicular bisector of the first detection leading edge or the first detection trailing edge and the first direction, and thus the surface normal of at least one of the front and rear faces of the object, varies depending on the overall geometry of the first detection area of ​​the first detector. The angle may further vary depending on the gap size between the first detector and the adjacently disposed second detector. The non-zero angle may further vary depending on the size or extent of the first detection area of ​​the first detector with respect to a second direction extending substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

[0017] According to a further example, the detector device includes a second detector. The second detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation. The second detector is separated from the first detector in a first direction. A gap is formed between the first detector and the second detector. Thus, the first detector is separated from the second detector by the gap. Both the first detector and the second detector are individually connected to transmit signals to a processor or a signal processing device. Thus, the first detector and the second detector are each configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and generate and transmit at least one electrical signal indicative of at least one of the intensity and wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation present in a detection area of ​​the first or second detector, respectively.

[0018] Typically, the second detector also includes a second detection area. The first detector and the second detector may be of substantially equal shape and configuration. The second detector may be of the same shape and / or configuration as the first detector. The second detector is typically disposed adjacent to the first detector with a gap therebetween.

[0019] When the object moves in a first direction relative to the detector arrangement, the electromagnetic radiation may be reflected or absorbed by the object. Due to the movement of the object relative to the detector and the interaction of the object with the electromagnetic radiation, the intensity and / or spatial distribution of the electromechanical radiation relative to the first detector and / or the second detector will measurably change as the object moves along the first direction.

[0020] The object may be implemented as a stopper slidably disposed inside a tube-shaped barrel of the drug container. The barrel may comprise a material that is substantially transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The object or the stopper may absorb electromagnetic radiation. This may cause a shadow of the stopper to be present on the first detector and / or the second detector when the object moves relative to the detector device. Typically, the detector device also includes a plurality of detectors or an elongated row or array of a plurality of detectors extending in a first direction. When the object moves in the first direction, the spatial overlap of the object and / or its shadow relative to the plurality of detectors of the detector device will measurably vary.

[0021] Typically, the detector arrangement can operate in an absorption mode, where electromagnetic radiation absorbed by an object is detected. In another implementation, the detector arrangement is specifically configured to detect the position of electromagnetic radiation reflected by a moving object at a number of detectors. When the object moves, the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the object moves accordingly relative to the number of detectors of the detector arrangement.

[0022] In a further example, the second detector is arranged in line with the first detector or with respect to the first direction. Typically, the first detector and its first detection area include a first side edge and an oppositely located second side edge. The first and second side edges may be separated in a second direction extending perpendicularly to the first direction. The oppositely located first and second side edges may delimit the detection area with respect to the second direction. Typically, the second direction and the first direction are in the plane of the first detection area or extend parallel to the surface of the first detection area. The second detector also has corresponding first and second side edges. When the second detector is arranged in line with the first detector, a virtual extension of the first side edge of the first detector is aligned and / or overlaps with the first side edge of the second detector. The imaginary elongated extension of the second side edge of the first detector may also coincide with the second side edge of the second detector.

[0023] When the detector arrangement includes multiple detectors, for example at least 5, 10, or even more than 100 separate detectors, all the detectors may be arranged in a row along or with respect to the first direction. The detector arrangement may include an elongated row of separate, mutually separated detectors.

[0024] In another example, the second detector includes a second detection area sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. The second detection area is bounded by a second detection leading edge and a second detection trailing edge. The second detection leading edge is separated from the second detection trailing edge in the first direction. At least one of the second detection leading edge and the second detection trailing edge extends non-parallel to at least one of the leading edge and trailing edge of the object.

[0025] Thus, the second detector may be of substantially equal shape and orientation compared to the first detector. The second detector is arranged at a well-defined offset from the first detector along or in the first direction, such that the second detector rear edge faces the first detector front edge. When the detector arrangement includes multiple detectors, all detectors may include equal or similar shapes and may be arranged in a line or in the same plane with respect to the first direction. The detectors may be arranged equidistant in the first direction. Thus, electrical signals obtained from individual detectors of a detector row or detector array may be directly comparable and may be processed in the same way by a processor or signal processing device.

[0026] According to a further example, the first detection front edge at least partially runs parallel to the first detection rear edge. Typically, the first detection front edge has a substantially straight shape. The same applies to the first detection rear edge. In a typical implementation, the entire first detection rear edge runs parallel to the entire first detection front edge. The same applies to all further detectors of the detector arrangement.

[0027] Furthermore, in other examples, the first detection leading edge extends entirely or at least partially parallel to the second detection trailing edge, and the first detection trailing edge may also extend entirely or at least partially parallel to the second detection leading edge.

[0028] In some examples, each detector of the detector device may include a diamond-like structure, with oppositely located edges of the detection area extending substantially parallel, adjacent edges extending at an angle not equal to 90°, and the detection area including four corners or edges, with diagonals of opposite corners having different lengths.

[0029] By repeatedly arranging the above-mentioned detectors of the same shape at equal distances along the first direction, it can be realized that there is a clear signal obtained from the multiple detectors for any possible position of at least one of the front edge and the rear edge of the object. As soon as the object leaves the coverage or spatial overlap area of ​​the first detector while moving in the first direction, the object immediately enters the coverage or spatial overlap area of ​​the adjacently arranged detector. In the diamond-shaped implementation of the detector device, the detector device has substantially no blind spots or areas. This allows the spatial resolution of the detector device to be increased without reducing the gap size and / or the spatial size of the multiple detectors.

[0030] Typically, the first detection area of ​​the first detector is operable and configured to integrate the amount of electromagnetic radiation present throughout the first detection area. For a given constant intensity of electromagnetic radiation, the electrical signal generated by the first detector will vary continuously as the detection area is successively shaded. Thus, the degree of shading or coverage of the first detection area is directly reflected in the strength of the signal generated by the first detector.

[0031] According to another example, the second detection rear edge includes a first end adjacent to a first lateral side edge of the second detection area. The second detection rear edge includes a second end adjacent to a second lateral side edge of the second detection area. The position of the first end of the first detection front edge with respect to the first direction overlaps or is adjacent to the position of the second end of the second detection rear edge with respect to the first direction. Alternatively to this, the position of the second end of the first detection front edge with respect to the first direction overlaps or is adjacent to the position of the first end of the second detection rear edge with respect to the first direction.

[0032] This criterion provides a definition of the gap size between the first and second detectors in the first direction. Typically, a first side edge of the first detector trailing edge overlaps or is adjacent to a second side edge of the second detector front edge when viewed in the first direction. In other words, a first end of the second detector trailing edge is adjacent to or overlaps a second end of the first detector front edge when viewed in the first direction. Alternatively, a second end of the second detector trailing edge is adjacent to or overlaps a first end of the first detector front edge when viewed in the first direction.

[0033] For front and rear edges of an object that extend substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and thus to the direction of movement of the object relative to the detector device, it can be ensured that the rear or front edge of the object is always within or spatially overlaps the coverage area of ​​one of the first and second detection areas.

[0034] According to a further example, at least one of the first detection leading edge and the first detection trailing edge extends at an angle b with respect to the first direction. The gap size G is substantially equal to G=Lsin(90°-b), where L is the edge length of one of the first detection leading edge and the first detection trailing edge. The above equation provides a well-defined relationship between the angle b, the gap size G, and the length L of the detection leading edge or the detection trailing edge.

[0035] In a further example, the detector arrangement includes a plurality of first detectors forming a longitudinal detector row extending along a first direction, typically each one of the detectors including a detecting leading edge that is a leading edge when viewed in the first direction and a detecting trailing edge that is a trailing edge when viewed in the first direction.

[0036] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a position detector for determining a position of a stopper within a cartridge relative to a first direction. The stopper is slidably disposed inside the cartridge relative to the first direction. The stopper is movable in the first direction relative to a barrel of the cartridge. The cartridge is configured to contain or be filled with a liquid medicament. The position detector includes a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate is configured to be wrapped around the barrel of the cartridge. The position detector further includes a detector device as described above disposed on the flexible substrate.

[0037] The position of the object as defined above is the position of the stopper relative to the detector device, where the stopper of the cartridge is the object of the detector device as defined above. The position detector further includes at least one light source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation to or through the barrel of the cartridge. The position detector further includes a microprocessor disposed on the flexible substrate. The microprocessor is connected to the detector device. The microprocessor is operable to determine the position of the stopper with respect to the first direction based on at least one electrical signal received from the detector device when exposed to the electromagnetic radiation. Typically, the detector device is configured and / or operable to generate and transmit a plurality of electrical signals, each one of the electrical signals being indicative of the electromagnetic radiation present on a respective one of the plurality of detectors of the detector device.

[0038] The at least one light source may be ambient light. Alternatively, it may include at least one light emitting element, which may be positioned offset from the flexible substrate.

[0039] The position detector may be configured to operate in a transmission mode, where a shadow of the cartridge relative to the detector arrangement is detected and the shadow of the stopper is detectable by the detector arrangement, hi another example, the position detector is configured to operate in a reflection mode, where electromagnetic radiation reflected by the stopper is detected and the detected electromagnetic signal is indicative of the position of the stopper relative to the barrel.

[0040] In other implementations, the barrel is transparent to electromagnetic radiation to which the detector of the detector device is sensitive, and the drug located inside the barrel may also be transparent to electromagnetic radiation.

[0041] According to a further example, the at least one light source is disposed on the flexible substrate. The at least one light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements separated from one another in a first direction. A plurality of light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), can be provided.

[0042] The light source may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) or an array of several LEDs to provide a well-defined spatial distribution of electromagnetic radiation, e.g., visible, UV or infrared light. The wavelength or spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the at least one light source and detected by the at least one detector of the detector device may be adapted according to the transmission or absorption properties of the barrel, the stopper located inside the cartridge and the medicament.

[0043] The first detector or all of the detectors of the detector device may include commercially available photodetectors such as photoresistors or photodiodes. Such detectors for electromagnetic radiation are available at fairly low or reasonable cost. This may provide a detector device that can be implemented as a fairly low-cost, even disposable, detector device. Thus, the position detector may be inseparably connected to the cartridge or may be intended to be discarded once the contents of the cartridge have been ejected, withdrawn, or used.

[0044] In another example, the at least one light source includes at least one light emitting element and a longitudinally extending light guiding structure. The light guiding structure is optically coupled to the at least one light emitting element. The longitudinally extending light guiding structure extends substantially parallel to the first direction. In this way, a fairly homogeneous and well-defined illumination of the cartridge can be provided even with a limited number of light emitting elements. The light guiding structure can include fluorescent or phosphorescent stripes excited by the at least one light emitting element. Furthermore, it is conceivable that at least two or even more light emitting elements are optionally coupled to the light guiding structure.

[0045] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a cartridge for a liquid medicament. The cartridge includes an elongated barrel extending along a first direction. The cartridge further includes a stopper disposed inside the barrel and displaceable relative to the barrel along the first direction to expel or withdraw the liquid medicament. The stopper may be or provide a proximal seal of the cartridge. The cartridge further includes a position detector as described above that may be wound around the cartridge. In some examples, the position detector is actually wound around the cartridge barrel. The position detector may be inseparably fixed to the outside of the cartridge barrel, for example by gluing.

[0046] Thus, a cartridge is provided having an improved detector arrangement capable of providing a precise measurement of the stopper position along a first direction, the stopper position relative to the barrel directly indicating the amount of drug inside the cartridge.

[0047] In a further example, when the position detector is wound around the tubular section, the at least one light source is located diametrically opposite to the detector device. When the position detector is wound around the tubular section, the stopper is located between the at least one light source of the position detector and the detector device. Typically, the light source and the detector device extend substantially parallel to each other on the flexible substrate. Both the detector device and the light source may extend along a first direction. The first direction may coincide with a longitudinal direction of the tubular section. The first direction may also coincide with a central axis of symmetry of the tubular section.

[0048] Typically, the at least one light source and the detector arrangement are separated from each other by a predetermined distance along the second direction. In an initial configuration of the flexible substrate in an unrolled and therefore substantially flat shape, the first direction and the second direction coincide with the plane of the substrate. The distance between the at least one light source and the detector arrangement in the second direction is typically determined by the diameter of the barrel. The larger the diameter, the larger the distance between the at least one light source and the detector arrangement of the position detector.

[0049] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a drug delivery device including a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a piston rod configured to expel a liquid medicament from a cartridge. The cartridge includes a barrel and a stopper. The stopper is disposed inside the barrel, and the stopper is displaceable relative to the barrel along a first direction to expel the liquid medicament. The drug delivery device includes a housing configured to accommodate the cartridge. The drug delivery device further includes a position detector as described above.

[0050] In a further example, the drug delivery device includes a cartridge for the liquid drug as described above, and the position detector is wound around a barrel of the cartridge and / or is inseparably fixed to the cartridge, for example by adhesive.

[0051] In this context, the term "distal" or "distal end" refers to the end of the injection device that faces the injection site of a person or animal. The term "proximal" or "proximal end" refers to the opposite end of the injection device that is furthest away from the injection site of a person or animal.

[0052] The term "drug" or "medicament" as used herein means a pharmaceutical preparation containing at least one pharma- ceutical active compound; wherein in one embodiment the pharma- ceutical active compound has a molecular weight of up to 1500 Da and / or is a peptide, a protein, a polysaccharide, a vaccine, DNA, RNA, an enzyme, an antibody or a fragment thereof, a hormone, or an oligonucleotide, or a mixture of the abovementioned pharma-ceutical active compounds, wherein in a further embodiment the pharma- ceutically active compound is useful for the treatment and / or prophylaxis of diabetes or complications associated with diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, thromboembolic disorders, such as deep vein thromboembolism or pulmonary thromboembolism, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angina, myocardial infarction, cancer, macular degeneration, inflammation, hay fever, atherosclerosis and / or rheumatoid arthritis, Wherein in a further embodiment the pharma- ceutically active compound comprises at least one peptide for the treatment and / or prevention of diabetes or complications associated with diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, Wherein, in a further embodiment, the pharma- ceutical active compound comprises at least one human insulin or a human insulin analog or derivative, a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) or an analog or derivative thereof, or exendin-3 or exendin-4 or an analog or derivative of exendin-3 or exendin-4.

[0053] Insulin analogues are, for example, Gly(A21), Arg(B31), Arg(B32) human insulin; Lys(B3), Glu(B29) human insulin; Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin; Asp(B28) human insulin; human insulin in which the proline in position B28 is replaced by Asp, Lys, Leu, Val or Ala and in which the Lys in position B29 may be replaced by Pro; Ala(B26) human insulin; Des(B28-B30) human insulin; Des(B27) human insulin and Des(B30) human insulin.

[0054] Insulin derivatives include, for example, B29-N-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-myristoyl human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl human insulin; B28-N-myristoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B28-N-palmitoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B30-N-myristoyl-ThrB29Lys B30 human insulin; B30-N-palmitoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B29-N-(N-palmitoyl-γ-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(N-lithocholyl-γ-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.

[0055] Exendin-4 means, for example, exendin-4(1-39), a peptide with the sequence H-His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-NH2.

[0056] Exendin-4 derivatives include, for example, the compounds listed below: H-(Lys)4-desPro36,desPro37 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)5-desPro36,desPro37 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, desPro36 exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Asp28]exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[IsoAsp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Met(O)14,IsoAsp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Trp(O2)25,Asp28]exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Trp(O2)25,IsoAsp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25,IsoAsp28]Exendin-4(1-39); or desPro36[Asp28]exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[IsoAsp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Met(O)14,IsoAsp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Trp(O2)25,Asp28]exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Trp(O2)25,IsoAsp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39), desPro36[Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25,IsoAsp28]Exendin-4(1-39), (wherein the group -Lys6-NH2 may be attached to the C-terminus of the exendin-4 derivative);

[0057] Or an exendin-4 derivative of the following sequence: desPro36 Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2 (AVE0010), H-(Lys)6-desPro36[Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, desAsp28Pro36,Pro37,Pro38 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36,Pro38[Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36[Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, H-desAsp28Pro36,Pro37,Pro38[Trp(O2)25]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2; H-(Lys)6-desPro36[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, desMet(O)14 Asp28 Pro36,Pro37,Pro38 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5 desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Lys6-desPro36[Met(O)14,Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, H-desAsp28Pro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Trp(O2)25]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, desPro36, Pro37, Pro38[Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(S1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-desPro36,Pro37,Pro38[Met(O)14,Trp(O2)25,Asp28]Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2; or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt or solvate of any one of the aforementioned exendin-4 derivatives. is selected from.

[0058] Hormones are, for example, the pituitary or hypothalamic hormones or regulatory active peptides listed in the Rote Liste, 2008 edition, chapter 50, and their antagonists, such as gonadotropins (follitropin, lutropin, choriongonadotropin, menotropin), somatropines (somatropin), desmopressin, terlipressin, gonadorelin, triptorelin, leuprorelin, buserelin, nafarelin, goserelin.

[0059] The polysaccharides are, for example, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, heparin, low molecular weight heparin or very low molecular weight heparin or derivatives thereof, or the above-mentioned polysaccharides in sulfated, e.g. polysulfated, form, and / or pharma- ceutically acceptable salts thereof. An example of a pharma-ceutically acceptable salt of polysulfated low molecular weight heparin is enoxaparin sodium.

[0060] Antibodies are globular plasma proteins (approximately 150 kDa) also known as immunoglobulins that share a common basic structure. They are glycoproteins because they have sugar chains attached to the amino acid residues. The basic functional unit of each antibody is an immunoglobulin (Ig) monomer (containing only Ig units), and secretory antibodies can be dimers with two Ig units, such as IgA, tetramers with four Ig units, such as IgM in bony fish, or pentamers with five Ig units, such as IgM in mammals.

[0061] An Ig monomer is a "Y" shaped molecule consisting of four polypeptide chains; two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains joined by disulfide bonds between cysteine ​​residues. Each heavy chain is approximately 440 amino acids long, and each light chain is approximately 220 amino acids long. The heavy and light chains each contain intrachain disulfide bonds that stabilize these folded structures. Each chain is composed of structural domains called Ig domains. These domains contain 70-110 amino acids and are classified into different categories (e.g., variable or V, and constant or C) according to their size and function. They have a characteristic immunoglobulin fold in which two beta sheets create a "sandwich" shape held together by interactions between conserved cysteines and other charged amino acids.

[0062] There are five types of mammalian Ig heavy chains, designated α, δ, ε, γ, and μ. The type of heavy chain present defines the antibody's isotype, and these chains are found in IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM antibodies, respectively.

[0063] The different heavy chains differ in size and composition, with α and γ containing approximately 450 amino acids, δ containing approximately 500 amino acids, and μ and ε containing approximately 550 amino acids. Each heavy chain is composed of two regions: the constant region (C H ) and variable region (V H) in a species. The constant region is essentially identical in all antibodies of the same isotype, but different in antibodies of different isotypes. Heavy chains gamma, alpha, and delta have constant regions made up of three tandem Ig domains and a hinge region to add flexibility, while heavy chains mu and epsilon have constant regions made up of four immunoglobulin domains. The variable region of the heavy chains differs in antibodies produced by different B cells, but is the same for all antibodies produced by a single B cell or B cell clone. The variable region of each heavy chain is about 110 amino acids long and is made up of a single Ig domain.

[0064] In mammals, there are two types of immunoglobulin light chains, designated λ and κ. Light chains have two consecutive domains, one constant domain (CL) and one variable domain (VL). The approximate length of a light chain is 211-217 amino acids. Each antibody contains two light chains that are always identical, and for each antibody in a mammal, there is only one type of light chain, κ or λ.

[0065] Although the general structure of all antibodies is very similar, the unique properties of a given antibody are determined by the variable (V) region, as detailed above. More specifically, three variable loops for each light chain (VL) and three for each heavy chain (VH) are involved in binding to the antigen, i.e., its antigen specificity. These loops are called complementarity determining regions (CDRs). Since the CDRs from both the VH and VL domains contribute to the antigen binding site, it is the combination of the heavy and light chains that determines the final antigen specificity, not either one alone.

[0066] An "antibody fragment" contains at least one antigen-binding fragment as defined above and exhibits essentially the same function and specificity as the complete antibody from which it is derived. Limited proteolytic digestion with papain cleaves the Ig prototype into three fragments. Two identical amino-terminal fragments, each containing one complete L chain and approximately half of the H chain, are the antigen-binding fragments (Fab). The third fragment, which is comparable in size but contains the carboxyl termini at half of both heavy chains with interchain disulfide bonds, is the crystallizable fragment (Fc). Fc contains carbohydrate, complementary binding sites, and FcR sites. Limited pepsin digestion yields a single F(ab')2 fragment that contains both the Fab piece and the hinge region, including the HH interchain disulfide bond. F(ab')2 is bivalent for antigen binding. The disulfide bonds of F(ab')2 can be cleaved to obtain Fab'. Additionally, the variable regions of the heavy and light chains can be fused to form single chain variable fragments (scFv).

[0067] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are, for example, acid addition salts and basic salts. Acid addition salts are, for example, HCl or HBr salts. Basic salts are, for example, alkali or alkaline salts, for example salts with cations selected from Na+, or K+, or Ca2+, or ammonium ions N+(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4), where R1-R4 are each independently: hydrogen, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted C2-C6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted C6-C10 aryl group, or an optionally substituted C6-C10 heteroaryl group. Further examples of pharma-ceutically acceptable salts are described in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences" 17th edition, edited by Alfonso R. Gennaro, Mark Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., USA, 1985, and Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology.

[0068] Pharmaceutically acceptable solvates are, for example, hydrates.

[0069] It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it should be noted that any reference signs used in the appended claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] In the following, a number of examples of containers and injection devices are described in more detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0071] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an injection device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a position detector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of a position detector. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows in detail the construction and design of the detector arrangement. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a further view of the detector arrangement where the object has moved further along the first direction compared to the configuration of FIG. 4; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an enlarged detail of the gap between the first and second detectors. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a position detector. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows a signal output of a detector versus object displacement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0072] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplary drug delivery device 100 including an injection device 102 and a position detector 104. The position detector 104 can be implemented as a flexible smart label that can be used to share data across the medical continuum. In FIG. 1, the position detector 104 is attached to a cartridge 106. The injection device 102 can be a pre-filled disposable injection pen, or the injection device 102 can be a reusable injection pen. The injection device 102 can include a housing 110 and house a cartridge 106 to which a needle assembly 115 including a needle 113 can be attached. The injection device 102 includes a drive mechanism 101 having a piston rod 108 configured to expel or draw a dose of medication from the cartridge 106. A portion of the housing and / or the cartridge 106 can be made of a material that is transparent for at least one light beam in the visible, UV, and infrared spectrums.

[0073] The needle 113 is protected by an inner needle cap 116 and an outer needle cap 117, which may be covered by a cap 118. The cartridge 106 may be configured to contain a liquid medicament. A dose of the contained medicament may be expelled from the injection device 102 by turning the dose knob 112, where the selected dose is displayed via the dose window 114, e.g., in multiples of so-called international units (IU), where 1 IU is the bioequivalent of about 45.5 μg (1 / 22 mg) of pure crystalline insulin. An example of the selected dose displayed in the dose window 114 may be 30 IU, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1. In some implementations, the selected dose may be displayed in a different manner, e.g., by an electronic display (e.g., the dose window 114 may take the form of an electronic display).

[0074] Turning the dose knob 112 can generate a mechanical click sound to provide auditory feedback to the user. The numbers displayed in the dose window 114 can be printed on a sleeve housed in the housing 110 and mechanically interacting with the plunger head 108a, which is fixed to the end of the piston rod 108, and pressing the stopper 109 of the cartridge 106. The plunger head 108a is configured to expel a portion of the fluid by displacing the stopper 109 housed in the cartridge 106, such that the position of the stopper 109 is related to the amount of fluid in the injection device 102. When the needle 113 is inserted into the patient's skin area and the injection button 111 is pressed, the insulin dose displayed in the indication window 114 can be released from the injection device 102. When the needle 113 of the injection device 102 remains in the skin area for a certain period of time after the injection button 111 is pressed, a high percentage of the dose is actually injected into the patient's body. Release of the insulin dose may produce a mechanical click sound, which may be different from the sound made when the dose knob 112 is used.

[0075] As will be explained in more detail below, the position detector 104, for example in the form of a smart label, may comprise a flexible substrate 105. The flexible substrate 105 may comprise an adhesive layer 122a and a carrier layer 122b. The carrier layer 122b may comprise electronic components, such as LEDs and photodiodes, that may be used to sense characteristics of the injection device 102, such as the stopper position and / or the amount of drug in the cartridge 106.

[0076] The injection device 102 can be used for multiple injection processes until the cartridge 106 is empty or until the expiration date of the injection device 102 (e.g., 28 days after first use). Before using the injection device 102 for the first time, it may be necessary to perform a so-called "prime shot" to remove air from the cartridge 106 and needle 113, for example by selecting 2 units of insulin and pressing the injection button 111 while holding the injection device 102 with the needle 113 facing up.

[0077] The position detector 104, and thus the flexible smart label, can be attached to a variety of surface geometries, including planar and non-planar geometries (e.g., curved, angled, or a combination thereof), and configured to continuously or periodically monitor the amount of fluid contained within and delivered by the injection device 102. The position detector 104 can be associated with an identifier. The identifier can be a random number r, which can be encoded in a machine-readable medium, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) data included with the item, a two-dimensional (2D) bar code, and / or a QR code. The random number r can be associated with the position detector 104, e.g., a flexible smart label, and can be used to uniquely identify the position detector 104 and the corresponding flexible smart label level data stored in the repository.

[0078] The position detector 104 or smart label can be configured to have improved mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, and physical properties, such as flexibility, surface hardness, thermal conductivity, dielectric constant, abrasion resistance, light transmittance, permeability, chemical stability, bond strength, and other properties. For example, the position detector 104, and thus the flexible smart label, can have a Young's modulus of about 0.5 to about 5 GPa, a dielectric constant of about 2 to about 5, and a Rockwell hardness of about 35 to about 120. The flexible substrate 105 can include an adhesive layer 122a and a carrier layer 122b. The adhesive layer 122a can be configured to removably attach the flexible smart label to a surface of the injection device 102. The adhesive layer 122a can be an adhesive such as a urethane resin-based, silicone resin-based, vinyl resin-based, polyester resin-based, synthetic rubber-based, and natural rubber-based adhesive. In some implementations, the adhesive layer 122 a can include non-attachable corners to allow for removal of the position detector 104 from the injection device 102 .

[0079] A plurality of flexible components can be attached to the carrier layer 122b. The flexible components can include printed electronics created using functional inks to print the electronics that define the position detector 104. The plurality of flexible components can include light emitting elements 124a and 124b, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), detectors 201, 202, 203 implemented, for example, as photodiodes, a microprocessor 128, an antenna 130, a temperature sensor 132, a power management unit 134, and a display. The light emitting elements 124a and 124b can have various geometric shapes, such as circular, rectangular, and / or striped (one side significantly larger than the other side). In some implementations, a single light emitting element 124a and therefore a single LED can be used. The single LED can be striped. In other implementations, the plurality of light emitting elements 124a and 124b can be arranged as an array of LEDs including at least two LEDs. The array of light emitting elements 124a and 124b, and therefore the array of LEDs, can be a linear array or a rectangular array.

[0080] The light emitting elements 124a and 124b can be attached to the flexible substrate 105 at a first position that can define a longitudinal arrangement of the light emitting elements. The light emitting elements 124a and 124b can be configured to emit a light signal in a direction toward the detectors 201, 202, 203 based on the first position through a light-transmissive wall of the cartridge 106 or the barrel 107 of the housing 110. In some implementations, the light emitting elements 124a and 124b can emit a signal of invisible light (e.g., in the infrared spectrum).

[0081] The multiple detectors 201, 202, 203, implemented for example as photodiodes 126a, 126b, can have various geometric shapes, such as diamond or diamond-like rectangle. The detectors 201, 202, 203 can have a pixel size of tens of μm. The striped photodiodes can have a length on the order of millimeters, which is shorter than the length of the piston rod 108 or the cartridge 106. In some implementations, a single photodiode can be used. The single photodiode 126a, 126b can be striped (e.g., an autoinjector). In other implementations, the detectors 201, 202, 203 in the form of multiple photodiodes 126a and 126b can be arranged in a row or array of photodiodes, including at least two photodiodes (e.g., four, six, or hundreds of photodiodes). The photodiodes 126a and 126b can be arranged in a regular pattern with equal distances between the photodiodes. The photodiodes 126a and 126b may be arranged in an irregular pattern with two distances between the photodiodes, one half the distance of the other, which may improve detection accuracy.

[0082] 1 and 7 show block diagrams of an exemplary position detector 104 and / or respective smart labels. The flexible smart label can be an electronically printed label. The flexible smart label can provide remote identification and telemetry. The flexible smart label can include an energy harvesting and data transfer module 138 and a functional electronics module 140.

[0083] The energy harvesting and data transfer module 138 includes an antenna 130 for receiving an exciter signal when in the NFC field 160, which is mounted within the flexible smart label. The antenna 130 can receive energy (e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy) from the NFC field 160 (e.g., an interrogation field) created by a transmitter 166 of an interrogator 162 of the NFC field 160. However, in some implementations, the position detector 104 or smart label returns a portion of its energy in the form of a coded response signal to a receiver 168 of the interrogator 162 by a mechanism of modulated RF backscatter, in which an impedance connected to the antenna 130 may be periodically modulated by an electronic code generator circuit 133 within the position detector 104 or smart label. The antenna 130 generates signals for several components within the functional electronics module 140, such as a clock, a frequency tuning module, and a rectifier / regulator. The signal from the antenna 130 is sent through the communication front end 137 to a frequency tuning module to tune the frequency of the antenna 130. Typically, the signal from the antenna 130 is sent to a clock to generate a clock signal as an input to a frequency divider and synchronization module. The frequency divider and synchronization module controls the sequence of the periodic transmit data stream for modulation coding, which can modulate the amplitude and / or frequency of the signal before communicating the signal to a rectifier.

[0084] The communication front end 137 and the processor 128 may further be connected to a power management unit 134. The power management unit 134 may include an internal battery. The power management unit 134 may include a power source. The power source includes at least one of an integrated flexible battery or a supercapacitor. The power management unit 134 may include its own power source 134, which may be configured to provide energy to the flexible components of the flexible smart label under certain conditions, such as when the fluid delivery system 100 is within an NFC field 160. The NFC field 160 may be generated by an interrogator 162. The interrogator 162 may include an RF module 164, a transmitter 166, a receiver 168, and a processor 170. The interrogator 162 may be configured to communicate with an external device 172, which may be configured to display data received from the flexible smart label.

[0085] The functional electronics module 140 includes a central processing unit 141, a memory 135, optionally a temperature sensor 132, and an analog-to-digital converter 142. The analog-to-digital converter 142 is connected to a detector array 230, the details of which are described in more detail below.

[0086] The data generated by the functional electronic module 140 may be N-bit data including data associated with electrical signals generated by the detectors 201, 202, 203 of the detector array 230 indicating the amount of fluid in the cartridge 106 or the injection device 102.

[0087] For example, data associated with the electrical signals generated by the detectors of detector apparatus 200 may be formatted using digital shift registers and counters in accordance with the ISO 14443 Type A RFID standard to reduce the amount of data transmitted to a minimum. For example, the electrical signals generated by detectors 201, 202, 203 may be formatted as a sequence pattern that is stored in respective N-bit shift registers.

[0088] In Fig. 2, an example of a cartridge 106 including a position detector 104 is shown. The position detector 104 includes a flexible substrate 105, for example a polymer-based layer. The flexible substrate 105 may include a flexible plastic foil configured to be wrapped around a barrel 107 of the cartridge 106. The barrel 107 is tubular in shape. The barrel 107 includes a hollow interior that is sealed in the proximal direction by a stopper 109. The stopper 109 may include a rubber stopper and may seal the interior of the barrel 107 in the proximal direction. In the distal direction 2, the distal end of the cartridge 106 thus includes an outlet 106a that is connectable to a needle 113 or a drug-guiding structure of a fluid transfer path.

[0089] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the position detector 104 includes an elongated array or row 230 of a plurality of separate detectors 201, 202, 203. The detectors 201, 202, 203 of the position detector 104 are equidistantly arranged along a first direction 210. At a predetermined distance in the second direction 220, an elongated light source 124 is provided on the flexible substrate 105. The light source 124 shown in Figure 2 includes an elongated strip of light emitting diodes. The light source 124 may include an elongated strip of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The elongated light source 124 and the detector row 230 may extend substantially parallel along or in the first direction 210.

[0090] In a further example shown in Fig. 3, the light source 124 includes at least one or more light emitting elements 124a, 124b, which are optically coupled to a light guiding structure 125. Here, the light guiding structure 125 includes an elongated strip of a light emitting material. The light guiding structure 125 may include an elongated strip of a light emitting material. The light guiding structure 125 may include a phosphorescent or fluorescent material. At least one longitudinal end of the light guiding structure 125 is optically coupled to at least one of the light emitting elements 124a, 124b. The light emitting elements 124a, 124b may include conventional LEDs or OLEDs.

[0091] The position detector 104 optionally includes an antenna 130 as described above. The position detector 104 further includes a processor 128 connected to the detector arrangement 200 and / or the plurality of detectors 201, 202, 203, respectively. One configuration of the detector arrangement 200 is shown in more detail in Figures 4-6. As shown, the detector arrangement 200 includes a plurality of detectors 201, 202, 203. Each of the detectors 201, 202, 203 includes a detection area 208. In the example shown, the detection area 208 is shaped like a diamond.

[0092] The detection area 208 of the first detector 201 is delimited in a first direction 210 by a first detection front edge 211 and a first detection rear edge 212. The first detection front edge 211 may be a distal edge of the detection area 208. The first detection rear edge 212 may be a proximal edge of the detection area 208. The detection area 208 is further delimited by two oppositely located side edges, a first side edge 214 and a second side edge 215. The first side edge 214 is adjacent to a first longitudinal end 211a of the first detection front edge 211. The oppositely located second side edge 215 is adjacent to a second longitudinal end 211b of the first detection front edge 211.

[0093] The location or shadow of the stopper 109 is shown in dashed lines as object 300 in Figures 4 and 5. Object 300, typically in the form of a tubular shaped stopper 109, includes a front surface 313 and an oppositely located rear surface 314. The views of Figures 4 and 5 show a side view of object 300 as it moves in a first direction 210 relative to detector arrangement 200, and only the rear and front edges 312, 311 are shown which coincide with the respective rear and front surfaces 314, 313.

[0094] 4 and 5, only the front edge 311 of the body 301 of the object 300 is shown. The object 300 represents the shadow of the stopper 109 on the detector row 230 of the detector arrangement 200. Alternatively, when operating in a reflective mode, the object 300 represents the spatial pattern of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the stopper 109.

[0095] 4 and 5 , at least one of the first detected leading edge 211 and the first detected trailing edge 212 extends non-parallel to at least one of the leading edge 311 and the trailing edge 312 of the object 300. Typically, the first detected leading edge 211 and / or the first detected trailing edge 212 extends at a non-zero angle with respect to an extension of one of the leading edge 311 and the trailing edge 312 of the object 300.

[0096] Typically, at least one or both of the leading edge 311 and the trailing edge 312 extend substantially perpendicular to a first direction 210 representing the direction of movement of the stopper 109 relative to the barrel 107 of the cartridge 106. Thus, due to the non-parallel arrangement or orientation of the first detection leading edge and / or the first detection trailing edge, a fairly smooth and continuous correction of the electrical signal generated by the detector 201 can be achieved when the leading edge 311 or the trailing edge 312 passes or crosses one of the first detection leading edge 211 and / or the first detection trailing edge 212 during the movement of the object 300 relative to the detector arrangement 200.

[0097] 4, if the rear edge 312 of the object 300 is near the first longitudinal end 211a of the first detection front edge 211, further movement of the object 300 in the first direction 210 will result in a configuration where the object 300 no longer overlaps a portion or section of the detection area 208 near the intersection of the first side edge 214 of the first detection front edge 211. Now, due to the angled or non-parallel alignment of the first detection front edge 211, at least a portion of the front edge 211 near the second side edge 215 will still be covered by the object 300.

[0098] As a result, when the object 300 undergoes sustained further movement in the first direction 210 relative to the detector arrangement 200, it can be precisely detected based on the signal amplitude of the first detector that at least one of the leading edge 311 and the trailing edge 312 smoothly crosses at least one of the first detected leading edge 211 and the first detected trailing edge 212.

[0099] 8 shows an example of a sustained decrease in signal amplitude of a first detector 201 as an object 300 moves in a first direction 201 relative to the detector arrangement. A graph 400 shows normalized signal strength D versus distance D traveled by the object 300 relative to the detector arrangement 200.

[0100] At position 402, the object 300 completely overlaps the detection area 208 of the first detector 200. At position 404, the object 300 and the first detection area 208 do not overlap each other. Between positions 402 and 403, there is a slight decrease in overlap, that is, when the trailing edge 312 crosses the third detector trailing edge in the first direction 210. As is evident in the region between positions 402 and 403, the rate of decrease in signal strength with respect to the travel distance D is very small and persistently large. At position 403, the trailing edge 312 of the object 300 has passed the first detection trailing edge 212. Between positions 403 and 405, there is a persistent decrease in signal strength over the travel distance.

[0101] At position 405, the trailing edge 312 of the object begins to cross the first detection leading edge 211 of the first detector 201. When position 404 is reached, the crossing is complete and there is no longer any overlap. Between positions 405 and 404, there is a continuous decrease in the correction rate of the signal strength over the travel distance D.

[0102] The detector arrangement 200 includes a second detector 202 arranged in line with the first detector 201 along and with respect to the first direction 210. Typically, the second detector 202 has the same shape compared to the first detector 201. Typically, all detectors 201, 202, 203 of the detector arrangement 200 are arranged in line and therefore in the same plane in the first direction 210. These detectors form a detector row 230 with an elongated linear shape. The second detector 202 is arranged with a predetermined gap size G in the first direction 210 with respect to the first detector 201. The second detector 202 is thus arranged with a predetermined, e.g. constant, distance from the first detector 201. Thus, a gap 206 of a predetermined size is formed between successive and adjacently arranged detectors 201, 202, 203, etc. Typically, the multiple detectors 201 , 202 , 203 are positioned equidistant in a first direction 210 .

[0103] The second detector also includes a second detection area 208 that is bounded in a first direction 210 by a second detection leading edge 211 and a second detection trailing edge 212. The second detection trailing edge 212 faces the first detection leading edge 211 of the first detector 201. The second detector leading edge 211 faces the third detection trailing edge of the third detector 203, and so on.

[0104] The first side edge 214 of the second detection area 208 is flush and aligned with the first side edge 214 of the first detection area 208. The same is true for the second side edge 215 of the detection area 208 of the first and second detectors 201, 202. Typically, the first detection front edge 211 and the first detection rear edge 212 run parallel to each other. The same is true for the second detection front edge 211 and the second detection rear edge 212.

[0105] As shown in more detail in Fig. 6, the position of the first end 211a of the first detection leading edge 211 of the first detector 201 is shifted or offset in the first direction 210 from the second end 211b of the first detection leading edge 211. As shown in Fig. 6, the second end 211b of the first detection leading edge 211 of the first detector 201 coincides with or is adjacent to the first end 212a of the second detection trailing edge 212 of the second detector 202 in the first direction 210. Thus, as the object 300 is continuously moved in the first direction 201, there is no configuration in which the entire leading edge 311 and trailing edge 312 disappear in the gap 206 between the successively arranged detectors 201, 202, 203.

[0106] For example, when the rear edge 312 of the object reaches the corner section of the second side edge 215 and the first detection front edge 211 of the first detector 201, the rear edge 312 of the object is simultaneously configured to overlap the corner of the first side edge 214 and the second detection rear edge 212 of the second detector 202. With respect to the diagram 400 shown in Fig. 8, the position 404 of the first detector 201 overlaps the position 402 of the second detector 202. Thus, for each available position of the object with respect to the first direction 210, there will be a distinct combination of signals obtained from the multiple detectors 201, 202, 203 of the detector arrangement 200.

[0107] This configuration is reflected in Figure 5. With respect to the first detector 201, the first detector 201 reaches the configuration described with respect to position 404. This configuration overlaps and coincides with position 402 with respect to the second detector 202.

[0108] 6 illustrates the gap size G, the length L of the first detection leading edge 211 and / or the second detection trailing edge 212, and the angle b between the first direction 210 and the direction of the first detection leading edge 211 and / or the first detection trailing edge 212. The gap size G is substantially equal to G=L sin(90°-b). [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 2 Distal direction 3 Proximal direction 100 Drug delivery device 101 Drive mechanism 102 Injection Device 104 Position detector 105 Flexible substrate 106 Cartridge 106a Exit 107 Cylinder part 108 Piston rod 108a Plunger Head 109 Stopper 110 Housing 111 Injection Devices 112 Dosage knob 113 needles 114 Windows 115 Needle Assembly 116 Needle Cap 117 Outer needle cap 118 Cap 124 Light source 124a Light emitting element 124b Light emitting element 125 Light guiding structure 126a Photodiode 126b Photodiode 128 processors 130 Antenna 132 Temperature Sensor 133 Code Generator Circuit 134 Power Management Unit 135 Memory 137 Communication Front End 138 Data Transfer Module 140 Functional Electronic Modules 141 Central Processing Unit 142 Analog-to-Digital Converter 162 Interrogator 164 RF Module 166 Transmitter 168 Receiver 170 Processors 172 External Devices 200 Detector device 201 Detector 202 Detector 203 Detector 206 Gap 208 Detection Area 210 First Direction 211 Front edge 211a First end 212b Second end 212 Posterior edge 212a first end 212b Second end 214 Side edge 215 Side edge 220 Second Direction 230 detector rows 300 objects 301 Main unit 311 Front edge 312 Posterior edge 313 Front 314 Rear

Claims

1. A detector device (200) for detecting a position of an object (300) with respect to a first direction of movement (210), the object (300) comprising a front edge (311) and a rear edge (312) separated from each other in the first direction (210), the object (300) being movable relative to the detector device (200) with respect to the first direction (210), and electromagnetic radiation being absorbed or reflected by the object (300), the detector device (200) comprising: a first detector (201) configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, the first detector (201) including a first detection area (208) sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, the first detection area (208) being bounded by a first detection leading edge (211) and a first detection trailing edge (212), the first detection leading edge (211) being separated from the first detection trailing edge (212) in a first direction (210); At least one of the first detection leading edge (211) and the first detection trailing edge (212) extends non-parallel to at least one of the leading edge (311) and the trailing edge (312) of the object (300); and The detector arrangement, wherein a degree of spatial overlap of the object (300) and / or its shadow on the first detection area (208) is detectable by a first detector (201).

2. 2. The detector apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second detector (202) configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, the second detector (202) being separated from the first detector (201) in a first direction (210) and a gap (206) being formed between the first detector (201) and the second detector (202).

3. 3. The detector arrangement of claim 2, wherein the second detector (202) is aligned with the first detector (201) with respect to the first direction (210).

4. 4. The detector device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the second detector (202) includes a second detection area (208) sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, the second detection area (208) being bounded by a second detection front edge (211) and a second detection rear edge (212), the second detection front edge (211) being separated from the second detection rear edge (212) in the first direction (210), and at least one of the second detection front edge (211) and the second detection rear edge (212) extending non-parallel to at least one of the front edge (311) and the rear edge (312) of the object (300).

5. Detector arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first detection front edge (211) extends at least partially parallel to the first detection rear edge (212).

6. 6. The detector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first detection front edge (211) comprises a first end (211a) adjacent to a first lateral side edge (214) of the first detection area (208), and the first detection front edge (211) comprises a second end (211b) adjacent to a second lateral side edge (215) of the first detection area (208).

7. The second detection rear edge (212) includes a first end (212a) adjacent a first lateral side edge (214) of the second detection area (208), the second detection rear edge (212) includes a second end (212b) adjacent a second lateral side edge (215) of the second detection area (208), and a position of the first end (211a) of the first detection front edge (211) with respect to the first direction (210) is 7. The detector device according to claim 4 or 6, wherein the position of the second end (212b) of the second detection rear edge (212) relative to the first direction (210) overlaps or is adjacent to the position of the second end (212a) of the second detection rear edge (212) relative to the first direction (210), or the position of the second end (211b) of the first detection front edge (211) relative to the first direction (210) overlaps or is adjacent to the position of the first end (212a) of the second detection rear edge (212) relative to the first direction (210).

8. 8. The detector arrangement of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first detection leading edge (211) and the first detection trailing edge (212) extends at an angle b with respect to the first direction (210), and wherein a size G of the gap (206) is substantially equal to G=L sin(90°-b), where L is a length of one of the first detection leading edge (211) and the first detection trailing edge (212).

9. Detector arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of first detectors (201) forming a longitudinal detector row (230) extending along a first direction (210).

10. a position detector (104) for determining a position of a stopper (109) within a cartridge (106) in a first direction (210), the stopper (109) being slidably disposed inside the cartridge (106) in the first direction (210), the cartridge (106) being configured to contain a liquid medicament, the position detector (104) comprising: a flexible substrate (105) configured to be wrapped around a tubular portion (107) of a cartridge (106); A detector device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, arranged on a flexible substrate (105), wherein the position of the object (300) is the position of a stopper (109); at least one light source (124) configured to emit electromagnetic radiation to or through the barrel (107); a microprocessor (128) disposed on the flexible substrate (105), the microprocessor being connected to the detector device (200) and operable to determine a position of the stopper (109) in a first direction (210) based on electrical signals received from the detector device (200) when exposed to electromagnetic radiation; The position detector (104).

11. The position detector of claim 10, wherein the at least one light source (124) is disposed on the flexible substrate (105), and the at least one light source (124) includes a plurality of light-emitting elements (124a, 124b) separated from each other in the first direction (210).

12. 12. The position detector of claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one light source (124) comprises at least one light emitting element (124a, 124b) and a longitudinally extending light guiding structure (125) optically coupled to the at least one light emitting element (124a, 124b), the longitudinally extending light guiding structure (125) extending substantially parallel to the first direction (210).

13. A cartridge (106) for a liquid drug comprising: an elongated tubular portion (107) extending along a first direction (210); a stopper (109) disposed inside the barrel (107) and displaceable relative to the barrel (107) along a first direction (210) to expel the liquid medicament; A position detector (104) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, which can be wound around a tube (107); The cartridge (106) comprising:

14. 14. The cartridge (106) of claim 13, wherein when the position detector (104) is wound around the barrel portion (107), the at least one light source (124) is positioned diametrically opposite the detector device (200), and the stopper (109) is positioned between the at least one light source (124) of the position detector (104) and the detector device (200).

15. 1. A drug delivery device comprising: a drive mechanism (101) including a piston rod (108) configured to expel a liquid medicament from a cartridge (106), the cartridge (106) including a barrel (107) and a stopper (109), the stopper (109) being disposed inside the barrel (107), the stopper (109) being displaceable relative to the barrel (107) along a first direction (210) to expel the liquid medicament; a housing (110) configured to receive the cartridge (106); A position detector (104) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, The drug delivery device comprising:

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