Add-on Module Camera Mounting for Drug Delivery Dose Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery devices lack a reliable and user-friendly method for capturing and organizing dose data, leading to potential errors in injection logs, which can mislead medical decisions due to missing or erroneous records.
Innovation Solution
A user-mountable add-on module with a camera device that ensures correct positioning relative to the drug delivery device's indicator member, using mechanical, optical, or conductive mounting switches, and electronic circuitry to capture and process image data from the scale drum for accurate dose determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an add-on module with camera device is mounted on a drug delivery device to automate dose data capture, then measurement precision and reliability of dose logging is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mounting mechanisms and positioning structures
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a drug delivery device and a removable add-on module with camera device. This segmentation allows the complex measurement function to be isolated in a separate module that can be easily attached and detached, reducing the complexity burden on the main drug delivery device while maintaining high measurement precision through specialized camera-based dosing verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The add-on module serves as an intermediary between the drug delivery device and the data logging system. It captures images of the scale drum through a camera device, processes the dose information, and transmits it to external systems. This intermediary approach enables automated precise measurement without requiring direct integration of complex imaging and processing systems into the drug delivery device itself.
2Reliability
If mounting switches and positioning structures are added to ensure correct positioning of the add-on module, then reliability of operation is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning structures such as ribs and grooves are pre-formed during the molding process of the add-on module housing and drug delivery device housing. Mounting switches are pre-positioned and pre-adjusted during module assembly before final attachment. This preliminary action ensures correct positioning and reliable operation while minimizing additional manufacturing steps and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structures are designed to automatically align and secure the add-on module to the drug delivery device without requiring manual adjustment or complex assembly procedures. The mounting switches are self-actuating, triggered automatically when the module is correctly positioned, eliminating the need for separate adjustment steps and improving both reliability and ease of manufacture.
3Productivity
If a camera device and electronic circuitry are integrated into the add-on module to capture and process scale drum images, then productivity of data logging is improved, but loss of information increases due to potential positioning errors and measurement failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates mounting switches that provide feedback on the correct attachment of the add-on module. These switches verify proper positioning before enabling data capture functions, ensuring that images of the scale drum are only captured when the camera is correctly positioned. This feedback mechanism prevents positioning errors from causing data loss or inaccuracies while maintaining high productivity through automated capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structures and mounting switches are designed to prevent incorrect positioning before data capture can occur. By establishing mechanical constraints and verification mechanisms in advance, the system eliminates the possibility of capturing erroneous images due to misalignment, thereby preventing information loss at its source rather than attempting to correct errors after they occur.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An add-on device adapted to be releasably attachable to a drug delivery device, the drug de- livery device comprising a first housing having a first mounting surface with a first positioning structure, and a dose setting mechanism with a dose indicator member. The add-on device comprises a second housing comprising a second mounting surface with a second position- ing structure protruding from the second mounting surface and adapted to engage the first positioning structure form-fittingly when the add-on device is mounted on the drug delivery device, a mounting switch actuatable between a non-mounted and a mounted state, a cam- era opening formed in the mounting surface, the second positioning structure surrounding the camera opening, a camera adapted to capture an image of the indicator member when arranged in alignment with the camera window, wherein the mounting switch is arranged in the vicinity of the second positioning structure.