Detachable Electronic Module for Medication Delivery Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medication delivery devices lack comprehensive and reliable monitoring capabilities to accurately detect and analyze the characteristics of medication dispensing events, such as dose quantity and tissue penetration, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential misuse.

Innovation Solution

Integration of sensors like piezoelectric, pressure, vibration, touch contact, distance, and flow sensors into an electronic module that couples with the medication delivery device to detect and analyze signals, providing detailed electronic data on medication dispensing events, including priming operations and tissue interaction, through a portable and detachable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are integrated into the medication delivery device to detect and analyze dispensing events, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of dispensing eventsVSAvoidcomplexity of electronic module integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic module is designed as a separate, detachable unit that can be coupled to the medication delivery device. This segmentation allows the sensing and data processing functions to be isolated from the main injection mechanism, reducing the complexity of the primary device while maintaining high measurement precision through dedicated electronic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic module acts as an intermediary between the mechanical injection components and the data analysis system. It contains the sensor elements that detect dispensing events and converts mechanical signals into electronic data, serving as a bridge that improves measurement precision without directly complicating the core medication delivery mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If multiple sensor types are used to detect various dispensing characteristics, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of dispensing event dataVSAvoidnumber of sensor elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic module is designed with multi-functionality, capable of accommodating multiple types of sensors (acoustic, vibration, force) within a single integrated unit. This universal design allows the system to capture comprehensive dispensing event information through various sensing modalities without requiring separate devices for each function, thus improving information completeness while managing complexity through consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the electronic module is designed as detachable and portable, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of coupling may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability and detachabilityVSAvoidcoupling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism between the electronic module and medication delivery device is designed to be dynamically adjustable. It provides secure attachment during operation to ensure reliable signal detection and data collection, while allowing easy detachment when not in use. This dynamic coupling capability enables the system to switch between ease of operation and reliability based on the operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 the reliability and usability of medication delivery devices by automatically detecting and analyzing dispensing events, allowing for precise tracking of medication amounts and tissue interaction, thereby improving patient safety and reducing errors.

Implementation Method 1

the step of detecting the signals comprises a step of using at least one of a piezoelectric sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the step of detecting the signals comprises a step of using at least one of a piezoelectric sensor, a pressure sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2182456B1A method for monitoring the operation of a medication delivery device, an electronic module, and a medication delivery system
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 ROCHE DIABETES CARE GMBH
  • EP2182456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2182456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2182456B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the operation of a medication delivery device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a medication delivery device, the medication delivery device comprising a medication delivery module, providing an electronic module coupled to the medication delivery device, the electronic module comprising a sensor element, a control element, and a storing element, detecting, using the sensor element, signals generated in response to a measurable operation of the medication delivery module, generating electronic data by processing, using the control element, electronic information derived from the detected signals, the electronic data comprising information about a medication delivery characteristic of at least one measurable operation of the medication delivery module, and storing the electronic data in the storing element.