Auto-Injector Emergency Alert Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional epinephrine auto-injectors for anaphylaxis treatment require users to manually initiate a 911 call post-injection, which can be challenging for incapacitated individuals, leading to potential delays in receiving further medical attention.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a response circuit and transmitter within the auto-injector that automatically initiates a 911 call and transmits the user's location to emergency responders upon device activation, using Bluetooth or other short-range communication, leveraging a smartphone app to facilitate immediate emergency response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual 911 call initiation is required post-injection, then device complexity remains low, but reliability of emergency response activation deteriorates for incapacitated users
Solution Approach 1:
The auto-injector system performs self-service by automatically detecting its own activation and initiating emergency alerts without requiring user action. The system monitors its internal state (plunger movement, needle deployment) and autonomously triggers communication protocols to alert emergency services, eliminating the burden on incapacitated users to manually call for help.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares emergency alert infrastructure in advance by pre-configuring communication protocols, pre-storing user information and location data, and pre-establishing connections with emergency services. When activation occurs, these pre-prepared elements immediately become operational, reducing any potential delay from setup or configuration time.
2Reliability
If automatic alert activation is implemented, then emergency response reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auto-injector integrates multiple functions into a single device: it maintains its primary epinephrine delivery function while adding automatic detection, communication, location tracking, and emergency alert activation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices (injection system, alarm, GPS tracker, communication module) into one unified unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the emergency alert activation function with the epinephrine delivery mechanism by using the same activation event (user injection) to trigger both the medication delivery and the emergency alert system. The plunger movement that dispenses epinephrine also mechanically or electrically activates the alert protocol, combining two critical functions into a single coordinated action.
3Loss of time
If user must manually initiate 911 call, then ease of operation remains simple, but loss of time in emergency response increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for user involvement in the alert activation process by automatically detecting its own use and initiating emergency protocols. This self-service capability ensures emergency services are contacted immediately upon injection, regardless of the user's physical or mental capacity to perform the action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor its own state (plunger position, needle deployment, activation status) and automatically respond when specific thresholds are met. This closed-loop feedback ensures the alert is triggered precisely when needed without requiring external input or user awareness.
4Reliability
If automatic location transmission is added, then emergency response effectiveness improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads location data, user information, and emergency contact protocols into memory before an emergency occurs. GPS coordinates, medical history, and alert messaging are prepared in advance, so when activation happens, these elements are immediately available for transmission without requiring real-time data gathering or processing, thereby reducing energy consumption during the critical emergency moment.
Data Source
AI summary
An epinephrine auto-injector use activated device detects and responds to usage of the auto-injector. The resulting use activated device includes an actuator for manual generation of an injection force, as by a patient's hand, and a medicinal reservoir or vial for storing a quantity of medication for injection. A plunger is responsive to the actuator for displacing the medication in the medicinal reservoir, and a needle in fluidic communication with the medicinal reservoir defines a syringe for transporting the displaced medication through an aperture in a distal end of the needle. An electrical coupling, switch or sensor is responsive to movement of the actuator for initiating an alert signal. The alert signal is configured for transmission to a first responder in anticipation of an exigent response for further medical attention, in which the movement corresponds to plunger travel for dispensing the medication in the medicinal reservoir.