Auto-injector Sensor Integration for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auto-injector systems with integrated sensors are bulky, prone to measurement errors, and susceptible to interference due to the long distance between the sensor and the dispensing device, and the sensor is subject to wear and tear from being positioned correctly around the auto-injector.
Innovation Solution
A compact injection device design featuring a reusable part with integrated electronics and sensors that couples with a single-use part, allowing for reliable signal acquisition and processing, with the sensor located in close proximity to the dispensing mechanism to improve signal quality and reduce wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned in a supplementary device around the auto-injector, then the sensor can detect the dispensing device, but the system becomes bulky and the sensor is subject to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is integrated directly into the housing of the auto-injector, merging the detection function with the dispensing device structure. This eliminates the need for a separate supplementary device, reducing system bulkiness while maintaining detection capability. The sensor becomes an inherent part of the auto-injector rather than an external component.
Solution Approach 2:
The auto-injector is divided into functional modules: the sensor module integrated into the housing, the dispensing device module with syringe and needle, and the control module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned in a supplementary device around the auto-injector, then the sensor can detect the dispensing device, but the system is prone to measurement errors due to long distance
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the sensor directly into the housing of the auto-injector, the distance between the sensor and the dispensing device is minimized. The sensor is positioned in close proximity to the syringe and needle assembly, ensuring accurate detection of the dispensing process without the measurement errors that would result from a long-distance configuration.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned around the auto-injector, then the sensor can detect state changes, but the sensor is subject to wear and tear from being pushed along
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is integrated into the housing structure as a fixed component rather than a movable external element. This eliminates the wear and tear that would result from the sensor being pushed along during operation. The sensor remains stationary relative to the housing, improving its durability and reliability while maintaining its ability to detect state changes of the dispensing device.
4Measurement precision
If a supplementary device encompasses the housing, then the sensor can influence the dispensing device, but the combination is bulky and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and housing are merged into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for a separate supplementary device that would encompass the housing. This integration significantly reduces the overall volume of the system while maintaining the sensor's ability to detect and respond to the state of the dispensing device. The compact design makes the auto-injector practical for real-world application.
Data Source
AI summary
An injection device, in particular an auto-injector, with a single-use part for dispensing an injection solution has a sensor for acquiring a signal, with which an indicator can be determined, which represents a state or a change in state in a process for dispensing the injection solution with the single-use part. Additionally, the injection device has a reusable part, which is held in a detachable manner by coupling to the single-use part and is coupled via a signal connection, wherein the single-use part has the sensor, and/or wherein the reusable part has a reporting system for detecting the single-use part.