Acoustic Feedback Arrangement for Injection Device Dose Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices, particularly pen-type injectors, face challenges in providing clear and distinct acoustic feedback to users, especially those with hearing impairments, as the end-of-dose sound can be difficult to perceive, necessitating an improvement in acoustic properties to ensure effective dose dispensing.
Innovation Solution
The injection device incorporates an acoustic feedback arrangement with a movable first feedback element and a second feedback element, featuring a sound generator that generates a well-defined audible signal through mechanical engagement, amplified by a free end section that vibrates or strikes a separate sound generator, enhancing the perceivability of the end-of-dose indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a purely mechanical end-of-dose sound is used in injection devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the acoustic signal is difficult to perceive for users with hearing impairments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration principles by utilizing a resilient feedback element that vibrates when struck by the piston rod during dose dispensing. This vibration generates acoustic waves that propagate through the device structure, creating an amplified audible signal that is more perceptible to users with hearing impairments while maintaining relatively simple mechanical construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary acoustic feedback arrangement that includes a resilient feedback element and a sound generator component. This intermediary system translates the mechanical motion of the piston rod into enhanced acoustic signals through the feedback element's vibration and the sound generator's amplification, thereby improving perceivability without requiring complex electronic systems.
2Reliability
If the end-of-dose sound is made more audible through acoustic amplification, then user perception improves, but the device requires additional acoustic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by designing the feedback element to serve multiple purposes: it acts as both a mechanical indicator of dose completion and as an acoustic amplifier through its vibration. The sound generator component simultaneously generates the audible signal and amplifies it through its resonant structure, reducing the need for separate dedicated acoustic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by exploiting the resonant frequency of the feedback element and sound generator components. By tuning these components to vibrate at specific frequencies during piston rod movement, the system amplifies the acoustic signal at those resonant frequencies, enhancing clarity without adding substantial complexity.
3Power
If a resilient feedback element is used to amplify sound, then acoustic signal strength increases, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration principles by utilizing a resilient feedback element that vibrates when struck by the piston rod during dose dispensing. This vibration generates acoustic waves that propagate through the device structure, creating an amplified audible signal that is more perceptible to users with hearing impairments while maintaining relatively simple mechanical construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient feedback element serves itself by utilizing its own elastic properties to both indicate dose completion mechanically and amplify the acoustic signal. The element's resilience allows it to vibrate freely when struck, generating sound without requiring external power sources or complex control mechanisms, thereby achieving self-service functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a clear, distinct, and amplified acoustic feedback, ensuring users, including those with hearing impairments, can reliably confirm the completion of the dose dispensing process, enhancing user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The first engaging section and the second engaging section are configured to mechanically engage, i.e. to get in mutual mechanical contact
Implementation Method 2
amplified by a free end section that vibrates or strikes a separate sound generator
Implementation Method 3
The first feedback element is movable, pivotable or resiliently deformable along a first direction relative to the second feedback element
Data Source
AI summary
An injection device for setting and injecting of a dose of a medicament includes: an acoustic feedback arrangement comprising: a first feedback element having a first engaging section and having a free end section located at a predetermined distance from the first engaging section, a second feedback element having a second engaging section configured to engage with the first engaging section, wherein the first feedback element is movable, pivotable or resiliently deformable along a first direction (d1) relative to the second feedback element from an initial state (i) towards a biased state (b), and a sound generator formed by the first engaging section or audibly engageable with the free end section of the first feedback element.