Data Collection Device for Medicament Injection Dosage Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medicament injection devices lack effective means to monitor and record dosage information accurately, leading to potential misuse or incorrect tracking of administered doses.

Innovation Solution

A data collection device that attaches to the rotatable dose setting dial of a medicament administration device, featuring a coupling mechanism and orientation element to secure attachment, along with a light source and optical sensor to detect and measure dose settings, ensuring accurate tracking of medicament doses without obstructing the user's interaction with the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a data collection device is attached to the dose setting dial to monitor dosage information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage information tracking accuracyVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data collection device is designed as a separate, detachable unit that can be independently attached to the dose setting dial. This segmentation allows the monitoring function to be added without modifying the core injection device, resolving the contradiction by enabling precise measurement while keeping the base device simple and unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is designed to be universally compatible with standard dose setting dials used in various insulin pens. The coupling member and orientation element work with common dial features, allowing a single data collection device design to monitor multiple different injection devices without increasing complexity for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a coupling member and orientation element are added to secure the data collection device, then reliability of attachment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmechanical component count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member and orientation element are integrated into a single data collection device housing structure. Rather than adding separate independent components, the attachment features are merged into the existing device body, providing reliable attachment through the combination of features without proportionally increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The data collection device itself acts as an intermediary between the user and the dose setting dial. The coupling member and orientation element mediate the connection between the monitoring device and the dial, providing reliable attachment while keeping the interaction simple for the user who only needs to attach the device without complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the data collection device monitors dose settings, then loss of information is reduced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage tracking accuracyVSAvoiduser interaction simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The data collection device automatically monitors and records dosage information without requiring active user intervention during the injection process. The optical sensor continuously tracks the dial position and the processor automatically logs the dosage data, eliminating the need for manual recording and reducing information loss while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device provides automatic feedback to the user through the optical monitoring system that tracks dial movements. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate information capture without requiring the user to manually track or record doses, resolving the contradiction by making information loss prevention automatic and transparent to the user.

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

Enables precise monitoring and recording of medicament doses, preventing misuse and ensuring accurate tracking, while maintaining user convenience and minimizing modifications to the existing device design.

Implementation Method 1

a light source configured to illuminate a portion of a surface of a component of the medicament administration device including one or more relatively reflective regions formed on the surface of the component and an optical sensor configured to receive light reflected by at least the relatively reflective regions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12128220B2Data collection device

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 SANOFI SYNTHELABO INC

AI summary

A data collection device for attachment to an injection device and for collecting medicament dosage information therefrom.