Drug Delivery Device Sensor Mechanism for Accurate Dose Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drug delivery devices face challenges in accurately monitoring and recording dose settings and deliveries, especially for non-medically trained users, due to mechanical complexity and high costs associated with electronic sensors, which can lead to incomplete data collection and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device incorporating a sensor mechanism with stationary and rotating ring or barrel-type sensors, or linear sensors, integrated with an electronics module to record dose settings and deliveries, allowing for compact and cost-effective monitoring and reporting of dose parameters without significant mechanical changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic sensors are added to monitor dose settings and deliveries, then measurement precision and data collection are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensors with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is attached to the moving component, and a magnetic sensor (such as a Hall effect sensor or reed switch) detects the magnet's position to determine dose delivery status. This substitution reduces electronic complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from direct mechanical or electrical sensing to magnetic field sensing. By attaching a magnet to the plunger or piston, the system detects dose delivery through magnetic field changes rather than mechanical position sensors, simplifying the overall device architecture.
2Measurement precision
If electronic sensors are integrated into the device, then dose monitoring capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive electronic sensors with inexpensive magnetic components. A simple magnet attached to the plunger works with low-cost magnetic sensors (Hall effect sensors or reed switches), significantly reducing component costs while maintaining reliable dose delivery detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable magnetic components that can be easily manufactured and integrated. The magnet and magnetic sensor assembly is designed as a cost-effective, single-use component that eliminates the need for expensive, reusable electronic sensing systems.
3Loss of information
If multiple sensors are added to track various dose parameters, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal magnetic sensing approach that can track multiple dose parameters (setting, delivery, completion) using a single magnet and magnetic sensor system. The same magnetic field detection mechanism provides information about dose selection, administration, and completion without requiring separate sensors for each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single magnetic detection system. The magnet attached to the plunger serves multiple purposes: indicating dose setting, tracking delivery progress, and confirming completion, all detected by one magnetic sensor rather than multiple separate sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery device includes a housing, a controller for setting a dose and a sensor mechanism for recording the dose set by the controller. The controller rotates with respect to the housing around a longitudinal axis and moves axially with respect to the housing along the longitudinal axis during dose setting. The sensor mechanism includes an electronics module and a dose setting sensor with a first sensor element and a second sensor element. The electronics module and the first sensor element are rotationally and axially fixed with respect to the controller and the second sensor element is rotationally fixed with respect to the housing and rotationally movable with respect to the controller. The first and second sensor element are at least temporarily positioned outside of the housing along the longitudinal axis during dose setting.