Sensor Assembly for Drug Delivery End-of-Dose Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drug delivery devices lack features to accurately confirm the administration of medicaments, particularly in clinical trials where precise information is crucial, and existing communication systems are not cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly for drug delivery devices that includes a housing with a switch and communication device, allowing for the detection and communication of injection status through electrical communication, enabling accurate monitoring and reporting of drug delivery events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional drug delivery devices are used without detection features, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to confirm medicament administration and provide accurate injection status information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the main drug delivery device by using a separate, removable sensor assembly that couples to the device. This sensor assembly contains the switch and communication device, allowing injection status detection without integrating complex detection systems into the core device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor assembly as an intermediary component between the drug delivery device and the data collection system. This sensor assembly with the switch and communication device acts as a mediator that detects injection status and transmits information without becoming part of the main device.
2Loss of information
If existing communication systems are implemented in drug delivery devices, then injection status can be communicated, but the cost-effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cost-effective communication approach using a sensor assembly that can be coupled to and decoupled from the drug delivery device. The system uses straightforward electrical communication through a switch mechanism rather than expensive wireless or complex communication systems, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining information communication capability.
3Productivity
If no detection features are included in drug delivery devices, then manufacturing costs remain low, but accurate monitoring and reporting of drug delivery events cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly automatically detects injection status through the switch mechanism and communicates this information without requiring external intervention or complex processing systems. The system serves itself by capturing and transmitting data autonomously, improving monitoring efficiency without adding significant complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a sensor assembly for a drug delivery device, including a housing defining an interior, the housing having at least one opening therein and being coupleable to a drug delivery device, a switch received at least partially within the interior and having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the switch configured to interact with a cooperating surface on the drug delivery device, and a communication device in electrical communication with the switch.