Color-Sensor Electronics Module for Absolute Injection Dose Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic modules for injection devices require significant space for determining absolute dose values, necessitating large volumes and often requiring manual recalibration after power failures or device changes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic module with a color sensor that can distinguish between at least three different colors to determine an absolute dose value using a data table, eliminating the need for manual recalibration by identifying colors on a movable element of the injection device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating sensor disc with Gray code is used to determine absolute dose values, then the absolute position and dose value can be determined, but the electronic module requires a lot of space resulting in large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of absolute position detection from the complex rotating sensor disc with Gray code and implements it using a simplified color sensor system. Instead of using a rotating disc with complex optical encoding, the invention uses a stationary color sensor to detect colored markings on a dosing element, thereby determining absolute dose values with minimal space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating sensor disc system with an optical detection system using a color sensor. Instead of mechanically rotating a coded disc to determine position, the invention uses optical detection of colored markings to directly determine absolute dose values, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts and reducing space requirements.
2Extent of automation
If piezo sensors are used to detect vibrations for dose determination, then the set dose can be calculated, but manual recalibration is required when vibrations are ambiguous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes on the dosing element to encode absolute dose values. Different colors or color positions correspond to different dose values, allowing the color sensor to directly read the absolute dose without requiring vibration detection or manual recalibration. This provides more reliable and unambiguous dose determination.
3Measurement precision
If an optical sensor detects reflected colored light to determine plunger rod position, then the position can be detected, but the sensor must be inside the cap requiring specific device integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal dosing indication system using colored markings on the dosing element that can be detected by the color sensor. This system can be integrated into different injection device types (pen injectors, syringe barrels, cartridges) without requiring device-specific modifications, as the color detection principle works across various device configurations.
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
Enables reliable, space-efficient determination of absolute dose values without manual recalibration, even in the event of interruptions or device changes, and allows for wireless communication of injection data.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor inside that can detect reflected colored light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronics module (20) for releasable connection to an injection apparatus (10) for discharging a dose, which electronics module, when connected, can detect injection events of the injection apparatus (10), comprising a sensor unit (30) for capturing a dose set on the injection apparatus (10) on the basis of an optical marking (13). The sensor unit (30) comprises a colour sensor (31), which is designed to unambiguously detect at least one first, one second and one third colour of the marking (13). The sensor unit (30) is further designed to determine an absolute value of the set dose by means of previously known data and on the basis of the detected colour.