Drug Delivery Dose Logging via Optical Indicator Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices lack a reliable and user-friendly method to monitor and log medicament administration without requiring mechanical engagement with separate add-on devices, which can alter the device's appearance and handling, and may not function properly in refrigerated storage.
Innovation Solution
A method and electronic device that capture an image of a mechanically implemented post-dispensing indicator on the drug delivery device to derive and store dose information, using image processing and optical recognition, eliminating the need for mechanical connections with add-on devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate add-on devices are manually attached to monitor and log operations, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the monitoring and logging functionality directly into the drug delivery device itself, merging what were previously separate add-on devices into a unified system. The electronic components, including memory for logging operations and indicators for monitoring, are built into the device housing, eliminating the need for separate attachments and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates multiple functions within a single integrated system: the electronic components serve both to monitor operations (displaying status indicators) and to log data (storing delivery information in memory). This multi-functionality replaces what previously required separate add-on devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If add-on devices are attached and detached repeatedly, then monitoring flexibility is improved, but assembly correctness and function reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the monitoring and logging components permanently into the device structure, the patent eliminates the repeated attachment and detachment of separate add-on devices. The electronic components are built-in, ensuring consistent assembly correctness and reliable function while maintaining monitoring flexibility through software and display options.
3Loss of information
If mechanical engagement with add-on devices is used, then dose delivery information can be acquired, but device design and appearance are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electronic sensors, memory, and display components directly into the device housing, allowing dose delivery information to be acquired and displayed without mechanical engagement with separate add-on devices. This preserves the original device design and appearance while enabling comprehensive information acquisition through built-in electronic monitoring.
4Device complexity
If purely mechanical implementation is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but monitoring and logging capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical operation with an integrated system that combines mechanical dose delivery with electronic monitoring and logging components. Sensors detect delivery parameters, electronic memory stores the data, and indicators provide visual feedback, all while maintaining the mechanical core functionality of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates multiple functions within a single integrated system: mechanical dose delivery, electronic sensing of delivery parameters, digital logging in memory, and visual monitoring through indicators. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive monitoring capability without requiring separate add-on devices.
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 reliable and user-friendly monitoring of medicament administration with minimal hardware upgrades, providing a comprehensive dose history without altering the device's design or requiring refrigerated storage.
Implementation Method 1
capturing of an image of the post-dispensing indicator
Implementation Method 2
processing of the captured image and recognizing the configuration of the post-dispensing indicator in the image
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an information acquisition system, an electronic device and to a method of acquiring delivery information of a drug delivery device configured for delivery of a dose of a medicament. The drug delivery device includes a housing and a mechanically implemented post-dispensing indicator. A configuration of the post-dispensing indicator visible from outside the drug delivery device is indicative of a size of a dose previously delivered by the drug delivery device. An image of the post-dispensing indicator is captured after delivery of the dose. —The image is processed and the configuration of the post-dispensing indicator is recognized in the image. A dose size is derived from the recognized configuration of the post-dispensing indicator. The dose size is assigned with a timestamp, storing the dose size with the timestamp in a storage.