Dual-Wheel Dose Counter for Compact Medicament Dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dose counters in medicine dispensing devices are often complex, prone to device failure, costly, and limited in their ability to accurately track a large number of doses due to multiple components and sub-optimal design, which can lead to undercounting and increased size.
Innovation Solution
A dual-wheel event-related status indicator apparatus with repositionable engagement units that stabilize and drive the movement of a second wheel to reflect event occurrences, allowing for accurate tracking of a large number of doses with fewer components, improved accuracy, and a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components are used in dose counters, then the counting function can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple counting functions into a single integrated counter mechanism. The counter integrates event detection, counting, and display functions into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate sensors, processors, and display units that would increase complexity and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: detecting event occurrences, maintaining count values, providing visual feedback through windows, and indicating dose status. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single counting wheel is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the number of doses that can be counted is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The counting mechanism is divided into multiple wheels, each representing a different digit position (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.). Each wheel can independently display digits 0-9, and their combination allows counting of large numbers of doses without requiring a single complex wheel or multiple separate counters.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple counting wheels are arranged concentrically or in nested positions, with each wheel fitting within or alongside the others. This nested arrangement maximizes the counting range while minimizing the overall space occupied and maintaining a compact, simple structure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple components are used in dose counters, then the counting function can be achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple counting wheels are arranged in a nested or concentric configuration, allowing them to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces efficiently. This minimizes the overall volume required while maintaining the accuracy provided by multiple counting digits.
Solution Approach 2:
The counting wheels are arranged in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional configuration rather than a linear sequence, allowing compact packing of multiple counting elements. This spatial arrangement reduces the device footprint while preserving the full counting capability.
4Device complexity
If sub-optimal design is used, then the device can be simpler, but undercounting occurs due to improper event registration
Solution Approach 1:
The counter is designed with self-regulating features where the mechanical structure automatically ensures proper event registration. The design includes built-in indicators and feedback mechanisms that prevent undercounting without requiring complex external monitoring or adjustment systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are new devices for indicating the status of events, such as the number of relevant events that are remaining and/or that have already occurred up to the present moment and to related devices, systems, and methods. In some aspects, the event-related indicator devices of the invention are used within larger dispensing devices or systems, e.g., to provide the status of administration of a substance contained therein (e.g., a drug). In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator devices find particular utility within medicament dispensers, such as metered dose inhalers, to provide a visual indication of the status of doses having been or remaining to be administered.