Compact Injection Device Data Collection via Dial–Trigger Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices face challenges in providing a compact and reliable data collection system that can accurately measure medicament dosage without obstructing the user's ability to operate the device with both hands.
Innovation Solution
A data collection device that is compactly designed to attach to the dial member of an injection device, featuring a sensor arrangement to detect the rotation of the dial member relative to the trigger, and a processor to determine the medicament amount expelled, while maintaining a torque-supported coupling to the injection device's housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a data collection device is attached to the injection device, then dosage information can be collected and measured, but the device size increases and may protrude from the injection device
Solution Approach 1:
The data collection device is nested within the existing structure of the injection device, specifically attaching to the dial member which is already part of the injection mechanism. The sensor arrangement is positioned to detect rotation of the dial member relative to the trigger, allowing the data collection functionality to be integrated into the existing mechanical components without adding significant external volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the data collection device is made compact, then it does not protrude from the injection device, but the sensor arrangement may not reliably detect rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger serves as an intermediary reference element that is torque supportively coupled to the housing, providing a stable rotational reference against which the dial member's rotation can be measured. The sensor arrangement detects the relative rotation between the dial member (carrying the data collection device) and the trigger, allowing reliable dosage measurement even in a compact configuration where the trigger's stable coupling ensures accurate reference for detection.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the trigger is torque supportively coupled to the housing, then the trigger remains stable during operation, but this may limit the rotation detection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the rotational measurement function by having the dial member rotate independently relative to the trigger, which itself is stably coupled to the housing. This segmentation allows the trigger to provide a stable reference frame while the dial member's rotation relative to it can be precisely measured by the sensor arrangement, resolving the contradiction between stability and measurement capability.
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 accurate dosage measurement without protruding from the injection device, ensuring user convenience and reliability in operation with both hands, and enhancing user acceptance.
Implementation Method 1
The trigger of the injection device is torque supportive coupled by friction and/or keeping to a housing of the injection device
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a data collection device (100; 200; 300; 400) for attachment to an injection device (1) comprising a trigger (11) a dial member (12) and an expelling mechanism (8), wherein during expelling of a medicament : a) a relative rotation between the dial member (12) and the trigger (11) occurs according to an advancing of the expelling mechanism (8) and b) the trigger (11) is torque supportive coupled by friction and/or keying to a housing (10) of the injection device (1), the data collection device (100; 200; 300; 400) comprising: - a body (102; 202; 302; 402) configured for attachment to the dial member (12), - a sensor arrangement (110; 210; 310; 410) comprising a sensor (112; 212; 312; 412) and a scale (114; 214; 314; 414), wherein one of the sensor (112; 212; 312; 412) and the scale (114; 214; 314; 414) is arranged in or on the body (102; 202; 302; 402) and wherein the other one of the sensor (112; 212; 312; 412) and the scale (114; 214; 314; 414) is located on the trigger (11) or rotationally lockable to the trigger (11), wherein the sensor (112; 212, 312; 412) is configured to detect a rotation of the body (102; 202; 302; 402) relative to the trigger (11), - a processor arrangement (50) configured to determine, based on the detected rotation, an amount of the medicament expelled by the injection device (1).