Body-Coupled Drug Injector Data Transmission for Secure Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-administrative medicament devices lack a secure and efficient method for transmitting medicament administration-related data through the human body without the use of antennas.

Innovation Solution

A self-administrative medicament device equipped with processing circuitry, a transmitter, and a trigger member that modulates current to encode data through a user's skin via electrodes, triggered during medicament administration, using capacitive, galvanic, or inductive coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless transmission via antenna is used, then data transmission is achieved, but security and compliance are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission securityVSAvoidtransmission system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the human body as an intermediary medium for data transmission. Instead of direct wireless transmission between devices, data is transmitted through the body's electrical conductivity, with the body acting as the transmission medium. This provides security since the transmission path is confined to the body and requires physical contact with electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic wireless transmission (antenna-based) with electrical signal transmission through the body. The mechanical/electrical coupling via electrodes substitutes for the electromagnetic field-based wireless communication, providing a more secure and controlled transmission path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring is implemented, then compliance is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance monitoringVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs compliance monitoring at periodic intervals triggered by medicament administration events rather than continuously. Data transmission occurs periodically when the medicament device is activated and when administration is completed, reducing energy consumption while maintaining compliance monitoring effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically triggers data transmission and compliance reporting based on detected medicament administration events. The body's own electrical signals during medicament administration serve as the trigger mechanism, eliminating the need for continuous external monitoring and reducing energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If data transmission is triggered only during administration, then compliance is enhanced, but data transmission opportunities are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the body's electrical signals during medicament administration to trigger data transmission. The administration event itself provides the trigger signal, ensuring that data is transmitted only when relevant compliance information is generated, maintaining accuracy while optimizing transmission frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Facilitates secure and compliant data transmission of medicament administration data through the body, ensuring data is transmitted only during the administration procedure, enhancing compliance monitoring capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The first electrode is configured to be capacitively, galvanically or inductively coupled to a user's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The first electrode is configured to be capacitively, galvanically or inductively coupled to a user's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic coupling: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The first electrode is configured to be capacitively, galvanically or inductively coupled to a user's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

the processing circuitry is configured to modulate the current generated by the power supply system to encode medicament administration-related data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurrent modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP3526913B1A self-administrative medicament device configured to send data through the human body

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SHL MEDICAL AG

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a self-administrative medicament device (1) comprising: processing circuitry (3), a transmitter (9) having a first electrode (7a) configured to be coupled to a user's skin, a power supply system (11) configured to apply a current to the transmitter, and a trigger member (7) configured to trigger the power supply to apply the current to the transmitter (9), wherein the processing circuitry (3) is configured to modulate the current generated by the power supply system (11) to encode medicament administration-related data to be transmitted through a user's skin by the transmitter (9) via the first electrode (9a).