Capacitive Sensor Medication Delivery Device for Accurate Dose Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medication delivery devices for diabetic patients lack features for accurate, convenient, and efficient tracking of medication dosage, administration time, and monitoring of insulin levels, leading to potential errors, expired insulin use, and discomfort due to high injection speeds.

Innovation Solution

A medication delivery device equipped with capacitive sensors to track linear displacement of the dose selector and screw, a processor to determine actual medication delivered, and a transceiver for wireless communication with a data management system, enabling automatic tracking and monitoring of medication administration, alerting users to potential errors and ensuring proper use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual tracking of medication dosage and administration time is implemented, then patient autonomy is increased, but time consumption and convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of medication trackingVSAvoidtime for recordation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically tracks and records medication dosage and administration time without requiring manual patient input. The capacitive sensors and processor self-monitor the plunger displacement and calculate delivered dosage, eliminating the need for patients to manually record information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual pen-and-paper recordation is replaced with an automated electronic system using capacitive sensors, processors, and wireless transceivers to track and communicate medication administration data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If automated dosage tracking with sensors is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of dosage trackingVSAvoidcomplexity of sensor system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Mechanical dosage tracking mechanisms are replaced with capacitive sensing technology that electronically measures plunger displacement, providing more precise and reliable dosage measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors plunger displacement via capacitive sensors and provides real-time feedback to the processor, which calculates the actual delivered dosage and communicates it wirelessly, ensuring accurate tracking throughout the administration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If high injection speed is used for medication delivery, then productivity is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of medication deliveryVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitive sensors provide real-time feedback on plunger displacement and injection progress, allowing the system to monitor and potentially adjust delivery speed to balance efficiency with patient comfort.

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

The device reduces the likelihood of errors, ensures accurate and comfortable insulin delivery, reminds users of expired insulin, and informs healthcare providers of adherence to prescribed regimens, enhancing patient autonomy and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a first capacitive sensor adjacent the dose selector and operative to detect linear displacement of the dose selector during medication delivery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

detecting linear displacement of a screw coupled to the dose selector during medication delivery via a second capacitive sensor adjacent the screw

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11298470B2Methods and apparatus for improved medication delivery devices

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 ASCENSIA DIABETES CARE HLDG AG

AI summary

Embodiments provide systems, methods, and apparatus for a medication delivery device. The device includes a dose selector for selecting an amount of medication to deliver; a first capacitive sensor adjacent the dose selector and operative to detect linear displacement of the dose selector during medication delivery; a screw coupled to the dose selector; a second capacitive sensor adjacent the screw and operative to detect linear displacement of the screw during medication delivery; and a processor coupled to the first and second capacitive sensors and operative to determine an amount of medication actually delivered by the medication delivery device. Numerous other aspects are provided.