Flexible Foil Sensor Wrapping Drug Delivery Cartridge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in accurately measuring the filling level of liquid medicaments in cartridges without modifying the cartridge or increasing manufacturing costs, as precise electrode placement is crucial for reliable measurements.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, planar sensor with measurement electrodes and a fastener system that wraps around the cartridge, allowing for easy integration into existing drug delivery devices without altering the cartridge, providing stable and reproducible measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement electrodes are fixedly attached to the outer circumference of the cartridge, then precise and reliable measurement results are obtained, but manufacturing costs are remarkably increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible measurement electrode that can be wrapped around the cartridge outer circumference like a belt. This flexible electrode maintains precise contact with the cartridge surface for accurate measurements while being cheaper to manufacture than fixedly attached electrodes, as it can be produced as a flexible strip and wrapped during assembly rather than requiring complex fixed attachment processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by making the measurement electrode flexible and wrapable rather than rigid and fixed. The electrode can be dynamically wrapped around cartridges of different sizes and shapes, adapting to various cartridge geometries while maintaining measurement precision, and can be easily installed or removed during device assembly or cartridge replacement
2Ease of operation
If the sensor is integrated into existing drug delivery devices without modifying the cartridge, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by introducing a flexible measurement electrode as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the existing drug delivery device and the cartridge. The electrode wraps around the cartridge outer circumference, making contact with the cartridge surface to enable precise measurements, while being integrated into the device housing without requiring any modifications to the cartridge itself
3Measurement precision
If additional carriers are used to hold measurement electrodes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by designing the flexible measurement electrode to serve multiple functions: it acts as the measurement sensing element, provides structural support for electrode positioning, enables adaptation to different cartridge types, and can be integrated into the device housing. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated carriers or mounting structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
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 solution enables precise and reliable measurement of the filling level within existing drug delivery devices with minimal modifications, ensuring accurate dosing and extended sensor lifespan without the need for additional carriers or energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
the dielectric properties of the liquid substance inside the cartridge clearly differ from those of other surrounding materials, such like the vitreous material the cartridge is made of the rubber-based material forming the proximal piston of the cartridge, the electrical capacity to be measured between the electrodes located on radially oppositely located sidewall portions of the cartridge correlates with the filling level of the cartridge and/or with the axial position of the piston inside the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a sensor for measuring at least one physical or chemical parameter of a cartridge filled with a liquid substance. In a further aspect the disclosure relates to a drug delivery device equipped with such a sensor, wherein the sensor includes a planar flexible foil having a first section and having a second section separated from the first section, at least one measurement electrode located on the flexible foil, wherein the flexible foil is wrappable into a wrapped configuration in which the foil forms at least a first wrap with an inner diameter that is equal to or larger than an outer diameter of the cartridge, wherein in the wrapped configuration the first section and the second section at least partially overlap, at least one fastener located in one of the first and second section and configured to attach to the other one of the first and second sections for keeping the flexible foil in the wrapped configuration.