Drug Delivery Device with Non-Contact Sensor for Dwell Time Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery devices, particularly auto-injectors, face challenges such as user error in administering correct doses due to forgetfulness of injection schedules, needle clogging from improper handling, and inadequate dwell time monitoring, which can lead to incomplete or ineffective medication delivery.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device equipped with a non-contact capacitive sensor and processor that monitors the position of a movable component within the device, providing real-time feedback and notifications to the user about the dwell time post-injection, ensuring correct usage and preventing errors through visual, audible, or wireless signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual injection devices are used, then the user can control the injection process, but the user must continuously press the plunger which requires sustained physical effort and can cause hand trembling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical plunger system with an automated spring-driven injection mechanism. The spring provides the injection force automatically after activation, eliminating the need for the user to continuously apply manual force, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and injection force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-compressed during device assembly, storing potential energy before use. This preliminary action allows the injection to proceed automatically without requiring sustained user effort during the actual injection process, addressing both the ease of operation and force delivery requirements.
2Reliability
If the button/plunger extension is made long to ensure full dosage delivery, then complete injection is achieved, but it becomes inconvenient for users to reach and press fully
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the long manual plunger with a short activation button that triggers an automated spring mechanism. The button only needs to be pressed a short distance to release the spring, which then drives the plunger to its full extension automatically. This resolves the contradiction by making the button accessible while ensuring complete dosage delivery through the automated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded and positioned to automatically drive the plunger to full extension once activated by the button. This preliminary preparation ensures that the full dosage is delivered reliably without requiring the user to press a long button, thus improving both accessibility and reliability.
3Ease of operation
If auto-injectors are used to automate injection, then injection force and hand shaking are reduced, but users may forget injection schedules and fail to monitor dwell time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor system that detects the movable component's position and provides feedback to a processor. The processor monitors the injection process and dwell time, and can provide notifications to the user through various output mechanisms. This feedback system addresses the information loss by actively tracking and communicating injection timing and status.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically monitors its own operation through sensors detecting the movable component position, tracking injection progress and dwell time without user intervention. The system self-manages the timing information and can alert the user, reducing the cognitive burden on the user while maintaining automated injection benefits.
4Loss of substance
If reusable auto-injectors are used to reduce waste, then environmental impact is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to loading and unloading mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into separable components: a reusable body containing the injection mechanism and a disposable cartridge containing the medicament. The cartridge can be easily attached and detached without complex mechanisms. This segmentation allows the reusable portion to be used multiple times while the disposable portion is replaced, reducing waste without requiring complex loading mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable cartridge that contains the medicament and can be easily replaced. This allows the expensive and complex reusable body to be used multiple times, reducing overall waste while keeping the replacement process simple. The disposable component absorbs the complexity of sterility and single-use requirements.
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 device enhances user compliance by accurately monitoring and notifying the user of the dwell time, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring proper medication administration, thereby improving the efficacy and safety of drug delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact capacitive sensor configured to output signals indicative of the position of the movable component within the device
Data Source
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AI summary
A drug delivery device comprising: a body and a movable component arranged inside the body; a dosage selection and injection mechanism setting the position of the movable component inside the body depending on a selected dosage; a non-contact sensor configured to output signals indicative of the position of the movable component inside the body; and a processor configured to receive the signals output from the non-contact sensor and to determine based on the signals whether the movable component is either in an initial position inside the body corresponding to no selected dosage or in a selected dosage position, wherein upon determining that the movable component has changed its position back from the selected dosage position to the initial position, the processor is configured to cause an indication to be output which informs a user regarding a dwell time of the drug delivery device.