Add-on Dose Capture Module for Drug Injection Pens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems lack efficient and cost-effective methods for capturing and storing dose data, particularly in devices that are not electronically equipped, leading to incomplete and inaccurate patient injection logs, which can mislead medical decisions.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery system comprising a drug delivery unit and a data capture unit that are releasably attachable, where the data capture unit includes an electronically controlled system for capturing and transmitting data on the amount of drug expelled, using optical sensors or other detection means, and a cap unit for displaying captured data, enabling energy-efficient and reliable data logging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic data acquisition functionality is integrated into disposable injection devices, then data capture capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a disposable injection device without electronic components and a reusable data capture unit with electronic functionality. This segmentation allows the expensive electronic components to be reused across multiple injection devices, significantly reducing the manufacturing cost of each disposable unit while maintaining reliable data capture capability through the reusable component.
2Reliability
If data capture system is activated early, then data acquisition readiness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data capture system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the detection means and preparing the data storage memory before the actual injection occurs. The system is configured in advance to capture data, but the electronic components remain in a low-power state until needed, achieving readiness without continuous energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The data capture system operates periodically rather than continuously - activating only at specific moments when data capture is needed (during injection events) and remaining in low-power states between events. This periodic operation ensures data acquisition readiness at critical moments while minimizing overall energy consumption during idle periods.
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
The system ensures timely and accurate capture of drug delivery data, reducing the risk of incomplete logs and providing a cost-effective solution for automating data acquisition, enhancing the reliability of patient treatment decisions.
Implementation Method 1
the data capture unit comprises electronic detection means for capturing data representing a property related to the amount of drug expelled from the reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~4B
Figure 5A
AI summary
Drug injection device (400) comprising expelling means for expelling an amount of drug from a reservoir, the expelling means comprising setting means (411) allowing a user to set a dose to be expelled, and actuation means (413) for releasing the drug expelling means to expel the set dose. The actuation means comprises an actuation member adapted to be moved between an initial position, an intermediate position, and an actuated position in which the expelling means is actuated to expel the set dose. The device further comprises an electronically controlled capturing system (420) for capturing data representing the amount of drug expelled from the reservoir by the expelling means, and switch means for starting initialization of the capturing system when the actuation member is moved to its intermediate position.