Drug Delivery Add-On Module for Accurate Dose Event Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic add-on modules for drug delivery devices are susceptible to dose recording errors due to the lack of rotational reference to stationary components, and they often require structural modifications to the drug delivery devices, limiting their compatibility and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An electronic add-on module with a body and a tube that is releasably attached to the device housing and dial grip, respectively, featuring a telescoping rotational reference and non-contact sensors, such as optical sensors, to accurately detect dose events without modifying the drug delivery device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic add-on module is attached to a drug delivery device to detect dose events, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to structural modifications required
Solution Approach 1:
The add-on module is divided into separate functional components: a first portion that attaches to the stationary housing and a second portion that attaches to the rotatable dial grip. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and attached without requiring modifications to the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic field production means and magnetic sensors act as intermediaries to detect relative rotation between the dial grip and housing. The magnetic field serves as a mediator that transmits rotational information without requiring direct mechanical connection or structural modifications to the device.
2Measurement precision
If a magnetic field production means and magnetic sensors are used to detect relative rotation, then measurement precision is improved, but the module can only be used with devices having axially stationary dial grips, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The module dynamically adapts to different device configurations by detecting the position of encoder flag segments relative to the magnetic field. When a dial extension is present, the system adjusts its interpretation of the rotational signals to account for the extended geometry, maintaining compatibility across different device variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The add-on module is designed with universal attachment mechanisms that can accommodate both standard and extended dial grip configurations. The magnetic sensing system can detect rotation in both configurations, making the module compatible with a broader range of drug delivery devices.
3Measurement precision
If structural modifications such as encoder patterns are added to the drug delivery device, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture is worsened due to retrofittability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement functionality is extracted from the original device structure and placed into a separate add-on module. This extraction eliminates the need to modify the device housing or dial grip with encoder patterns, as the magnetic sensing system performs the measurement function externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that enables measurement without requiring physical encoding on the device components. By using magnetic fields instead of optical or mechanical encoders, the system avoids the manufacturing complexity associated with adding encoder patterns to existing devices.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the add-on module is attached to both the housing and dial grip, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple attachment points
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into two independent portions: a first portion for housing attachment and a second portion for dial grip attachment. Each portion uses simple, standardized attachment mechanisms that can be independently implemented, reducing the overall complexity compared to a single complex attachment system.
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 module provides reliable dose detection across various drug delivery devices, including those with and without dial extensions, reducing errors and maintaining compatibility without structural modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor arrangement is configured to detect encoder flag segments
Data Source
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Figure 6~10
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electronic add-on module configured for releasable attachment to a drug delivery device (100). The electronic add-on module comprises at least a body (1, 12, 24, 34, 47, 60) configured to be releasably attached to the device housing (101), a coupler (3, 14, 26, 36, 49, 62) configured to be releasably attached to the device dial grip (103), and a dial (4, 15, 27, 37, 50, 63) configured to be axially displaceable with respect to the coupler (3, 14, 26, 36, 49, 62). The electronic add-on module further comprises a tube (2, 13, 25, 35, 48, 61) which is configured to be permanently rotationally constrained to the body (1, 12, 24, 34, 47, 60) and configured to be axially displaceable relative to the body (1, 12, 24, 34, 47, 60) wherein the dial (4, 15, 27, 37, 50, 63) is configured to be rotatable relative to the tube (2, 13, 25, 35, 48, 61) at least in a dialing mode.