Non-numerical Display for Drug Delivery Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices lack effective non-numerical displays to indicate dosage states, particularly for users managing variable doses, which can lead to confusion during dispensing, especially when reaching the end of a dose or setting low doses.
Innovation Solution
A non-numerical display system for drug delivery devices featuring a movable indicator element coupled to the dosing element and housing, which translates continuous movement into discontinuous movements, such as changes in speed or direction, providing visual and tactile feedback through a combination of axial and rotational movements, and adjustable pitch threads to enhance user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a numerical display is used to show dosage, then dose information is provided, but user understanding and feedback are insufficient especially for low doses or end-of-dose states
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator element changes its visual appearance (color, transparency, or pattern) to indicate different dosage states. For example, the indicator may change color when approaching end-of-dose or when low doses remain, providing intuitive visual feedback that complements numerical display and improves user understanding of dosage status.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates tactile feedback through controlled mechanical vibrations or pulses that the user can feel through the device housing. This tactile indication provides additional feedback channel, especially useful when visual attention is occupied, helping users understand dosage state without relying solely on numerical display.
2Ease of operation
If continuous movement of dosing element is used, then smooth dose adjustment is achieved, but user feedback about dosage state is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator element provides periodic or intermittent feedback signals during the continuous dosing process. This may include periodic tactile pulses, visual flashes, or rhythmic movements that occur at specific dosage thresholds, maintaining user awareness of dosage state while preserving smooth continuous dose adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the indicator element responds to the current dosage state and provides real-time information to the user. This feedback loop ensures that users are continuously informed about their dosage level, improving both ease of operation and information availability.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple device structure is maintained, then manufacturing is easier, but effective non-numerical display capability is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator element is designed to perform multiple functions within a simple structure: it serves as both a visual indicator and a tactile feedback mechanism, and can indicate multiple dosage states (low dose, end-of-dose, normal range) using different characteristics (position, color, vibration pattern). This multi-functionality achieves effective non-numerical display without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines visual and tactile feedback mechanisms into a single integrated indicator element system. By merging these feedback channels into one unified component structure, the device achieves rich non-numerical display capability while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing and avoiding the complexity of separate independent indicator systems.
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 effectively communicates dosage states and end-of-dose indicators, improving user experience by providing clear visual and tactile cues, especially for low doses, and ensuring accurate dispensing without relying solely on numerical displays.
Implementation Method 1
a movable indicator element visible through the at least one window. The indicator element is coupled to the dosing element and/or to the housing such that a movement of the dosing element relative to the housing is translated into a movement of the indicator element
Implementation Method 2
adjustable pitch threads to enhance user feedback
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a drug delivery device for selecting and dispensing a number of user variable doses of a medicament and to a non-numerical display for such a device. The display comprises a housing with at least one window, a dosing element movable relative to the housing during dose setting and/or dose dispensing, and a movable indicator element visible through the at least one window The indicator element is coupled to the dosing element and/or to the housing such that it moves not proportional to the dosing element.