Injection Pen Dose Knob Monitoring With One-Way Rotation Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices lack accurate monitoring of medicament delivery, particularly due to user hand movements during dose administration, leading to potential measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
A data collection device with a one-way mechanism that allows rotational movement in one direction but prevents it in the opposite direction, coupled with a sensor arrangement to detect rotation and expel medicament amounts, ensuring accurate dose measurement by preventing user-induced rotational errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor arrangement is used to detect rotation of the dosage knob, then measurement precision of medicament delivery is improved, but user hand movements during administration cause measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
A one-way mechanism acts as an intermediary between the dosage knob and the sensor arrangement. This mechanism allows rotational movement in the administration direction to be transmitted to the sensor for measurement, while blocking reverse rotation caused by user hand movements. The one-way mechanism thus mediates between the need for accurate measurement and the disturbance from user operations, allowing the sensor to detect only intended dosage rotations.
2Ease of operation
If the button is made movable axially to enable one-way mechanism engagement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The button serves multiple functions simultaneously: it is the user interface for activation, a component of the one-way mechanism engagement system, and a trigger for axial movement that enables the ratchet-follower interaction. By merging these functions into a single component, the patent avoids adding separate actuation mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
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 solution provides precise monitoring and recording of medicament delivery, minimizing errors caused by user hand movements, thereby enhancing the accuracy of dose measurement and administration.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one follower element may comprise a resilient arm
Data Source
AI summary
A data collection device comprising a first portion configured for attachment to a rotatable dosage knob of an injection device, and a second portion rotatably coupled with the first portion, wherein at least part of the second portion is movable axially relative to the first portion. The second portion comprises a button which is rotationally fixed relative to the second portion, and moveable between an extended position and a depressed position, wherein moving the button to the depressed position causes the second portion to move axially relative to the first portion. The device comprises a one-way mechanism engageable with the first portion and configured to permit relative rotational movement between the button and the first portion in a first rotational direction and to prevent relative rotational movement between the button and the first portion in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.