Drug Delivery Sensor Self-Check via Multi-Purpose Readings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drug delivery devices lack effective methods for continuously monitoring and checking the condition of sensors for errors, faults, and degradation during normal operation, which can lead to inaccurate dosing and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for checking sensors in drug delivery devices that take additional readings beyond those used for dose calculation, allowing for the determination of sensor conditions such as accuracy, errors, and degradation, and generating alerts or stopping device usage when conditions are not met, using a controller and firmware to implement this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If readings are only taken for calculating the delivered dose, then the device complexity is low, but the sensor condition cannot be monitored continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor and reading acquisition system are made multi-functional by enabling them to serve both dose calculation and sensor condition monitoring purposes. The same sensor readings are processed differently: once for dose determination and again for sensor health assessment, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring hardware while achieving continuous sensor condition evaluation
2Reliability
If additional readings are taken for sensor checking, then the sensor condition monitoring is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor operates continuously during normal device operation, and the same continuous signal stream is used for both dose calculation and sensor condition monitoring. By maintaining continuous sensor operation rather than adding intermittent test operations, the system achieves comprehensive monitoring without significant additional energy consumption beyond what is already required for normal dosing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor serves itself by generating readings that are simultaneously used for both their primary purpose (dose calculation) and secondary purpose (self-diagnosis). The sensor's own operational readings provide the data needed to assess its own condition, eliminating the need for separate test signals or additional energy-consuming diagnostic operations
3Measurement precision
If readings taken for dose calculation are used for sensor checking, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision for sensor condition determination is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The processing of sensor readings is segmented into distinct functional pathways: one branch processes readings for dose calculation while another branch processes the same readings for sensor condition monitoring. This segmentation allows each processing pathway to be optimized for its specific purpose, with the sensor monitoring pathway applying specialized algorithms for detecting sensor drift, faults, and degradation patterns
4Productivity
If sensor checking is performed during normal operation, then the productivity is maintained, but the reliability of sensor data may be compromised without proper checks
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where sensor readings are continuously monitored and compared against expected patterns. When deviations indicating sensor degradation or faults are detected, the system generates alerts or stops operation, preventing unreliable data from compromising dosing accuracy. This feedback loop maintains both productivity by enabling continuous operation and reliability by preventing undetected sensor failures
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
Enables continuous monitoring and self-checking of sensors during normal operation, ensuring accurate and reliable drug delivery by detecting potential errors and degradations, thus maintaining the accuracy and safety of the drug delivery process over the device's lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor arrangement comprising a first optical sensor configured to detect movement of a movable dosage programming component of the injection device relative to the sensor arrangement during delivery of a medicament
Data Source
AI summary
A method for checking a sensor of a drug delivery device or of a drug delivery add-on device is disclosed, wherein the sensor is provided and configured to detect expelling of a drug dose being delivered with the drug delivery device and to output a respective sensor signal, and wherein the method comprises taking readings of the sensor signal in addition to readings taken for calculating the dose delivered with the drug delivery device, and processing the additionally taken readings for determining at least one condition of the sensor.