Medicament Cartridge Light Pipe Integration for Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices lack effective visual indicators for user feedback on device status and medicament inventory, leading to potential misinterpretation and increased risk of malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light pipe and light diffusing section within the cartridge of a medicament delivery device, optically coupled with a light source, to provide visual indicators of device status and medicament inventory through aligned windows, allowing light to diffuse and transmit through the cartridge wall for user observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate indicator module is used to provide visual feedback, then device functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the visual indicator function with the cartridge structure by integrating a light pipe and light diffusing section into the cartridge itself. This merging eliminates the need for a separate indicator module, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable visual feedback through the integrated optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed to serve multiple functions: containing the medicament, providing structural support, and acting as a visual indicator through the integrated light pipe and diffusing section. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
2Area of stationary object
If a small indicator light is used, then device size is reduced, but visible surface area for user observation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe extends along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, utilizing the length dimension to provide a extended visible surface area. This allows the indicator to cover a larger area without significantly increasing the device's cross-sectional footprint, effectively resolving the contradiction between visible area and device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The light diffusing section is positioned at specific locations along the cartridge where light emission is most effective for user observation. By strategically placing the diffusing section rather than uniformly distributing it, the patent maximizes visible surface area while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the indicator components.
3Loss of information
If multiple separate indicators are used for device status and medicament inventory, then information completeness is improved, but user misinterpretation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first indicator region for device status feedback and a second indicator region for medicament inventory feedback. This segmentation allows each region to independently convey specific information, improving information completeness while reducing misinterpretation through clear spatial separation of different status indicators.
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
Enhances user feedback by reducing the need for separate indicator modules, providing a larger visible surface area for indicator lights, and enabling simultaneous observation of device status and medicament status, thereby reducing misinterpretation and potential malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a light pipe section which acts as a light pipe having an input location
Implementation Method 2
a light diffusing section optically coupled to the light pipe and aligned with the window when the cartridge is positioned in the void
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for positioning within a pharmaceutical delivery device is described. The cartridge has a housing with a light pipe section which acts as a light pipe having an input location, and a light diffusing section optically coupled to the light pipe. The light diffusing section extends beyond a plane defined by the housing.