Dual-Function LED Module for Optical Drug Delivery Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in achieving a space and component-efficient communication design while minimizing interference with sensitive electronic components and optimizing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) component with dual functionality for both signal transmission and reception in drug delivery devices, utilizing alternating states for light emission and light sensing to establish an optical communication link, reducing the need for separate transmitter and receiver components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate transmitter and receiver components are used for optical communication, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The LED component is configured to perform dual functions: transmitting optical signals during injection events and receiving optical signals for device control. The same physical component (LED with photodetector) serves both as transmitter and receiver, eliminating the need for separate components while maintaining communication reliability through time-division multiplexing of transmission and reception operations.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for communication functions, then functional reliability is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter and receiver functions are merged into a single LED component assembly. The LED element with integrated photodetector combines what would traditionally be separate transmitter and receiver components into one unified structure, reducing overall device weight while maintaining the reliability of bidirectional optical communication through alternating operation modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wireless communication links are used, then communication capability is achieved, but electromagnetic interference with sensitive electronics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic wireless communication (radio frequency) with optical communication using light signals. The LED component transmits and receives data through optical pulses instead of electromagnetic waves, eliminating interference with sensitive electronic components while maintaining full bidirectional communication capability between the injection device and external devices.
4Illumination intensity
If continuous light source mode is used for LED, then illumination capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LED operates in periodic pulsed mode rather than continuous illumination, activating the light source only during specific injection events or data transmission moments. This periodic operation provides sufficient illumination capability for signal detection while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation, as the LED is activated only when communication or illumination is required.
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
This approach allows for lighter, more user-friendly devices with reduced electromagnetic interference and lower energy consumption, enabling efficient data transmission and reception.
Implementation Method 1
a LED component with at least two connector pins and a controller adapted for alternatingly operating the LED component in a first and in a second state. In each second state, the controller monitors a voltage, preferably a voltage decay, across the LED component between the at least two connector pins, to determine a sequence of discrete changes in light intensity absorbed by the LED component
Implementation Method 2
the controller monitors a voltage, preferably a voltage decay, across the LED component between the at least two connector pins, to determine a sequence of discrete changes in light intensity absorbed by the LED component
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic module (20) releasably attachable to a drug delivery device (10) and being adapted for monitoring of a drug delivery event executed by means of the drug delivery device (10). The electronic module (20) comprises a LED component (21, 22) with two connector pins and a controller (23) adapted for alternatingly operating the LED component (21, 22) in a first and in a second state, wherein in the second state, the controller monitors a voltage across the LED component (21, 22) between the two connector pins, to determine a sequence of discrete changes in light intensity detected by the LED component (21, 22), and to derive a device input signal from the sequence and wherein in the first state the LED component (21, 22) is controlled to emit light pulses representing an output signal.