Injection Assembly Sensing for Orientation and Skin Contact Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication delivery devices lack comprehensive status sensing systems to ensure proper operation, orientation, temperature management, and skin contact verification, which can compromise the effectiveness and safety of medication administration.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sensing systems within or as modules in medication delivery devices to track component location and movement, orientation, temperature, and skin contact, utilizing sensors like accelerometers, magnetic field sensors, temperature sensors, and skin contact sensors, with communication to external devices for user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If comprehensive sensing systems are integrated into medication delivery devices to monitor orientation, temperature, component location, and skin contact, then the reliability and safety of medication delivery are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into multiple independent sensor modules, each responsible for detecting specific parameters (orientation, temperature, component location, skin contact). This segmentation allows the complex monitoring function to be broken down into manageable, specialized sensor units that can be independently optimized and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously using a integrated set of sensors that monitor orientation, temperature, component location, and skin contact. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into a unified sensing platform, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated to track component location and movement, then the measurement precision of device status is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors that detect component location and movement are merged into an integrated sensing system with a unified processing architecture. This consolidation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through coordinated sensor input while avoiding the complexity of managing entirely separate detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical position indication mechanisms with electronic sensing systems. Instead of relying on mechanical linkages or visual indicators to show component location, the system uses electronic sensors to detect and report status, simplifying the mechanical structure while improving measurement precision.
3Reliability
If sensing systems with multiple sensors are integrated into the device, then the safety and proper operation verification are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is designed to perform preliminary verification of proper operation before medication delivery occurs. Sensors check orientation, temperature, component location, and skin contact in advance, allowing the system to confirm correct setup and prevent improper administration before it happens, thereby improving safety without requiring complex post-delivery verification mechanisms.
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
Enhances the reliability and safety of medication delivery by ensuring proper device orientation, temperature compliance, and accurate skin contact, reducing the risk of improper use and ensuring complete dose administration.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer configured to detect a shock associated with the drive mechanism driving the syringe assembly from the storage position to the injection position
Implementation Method 2
a magnetometer configured to detect a position of the syringe assembly
Implementation Method 3
temperature sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
An injection device assembly including a housing, a syringe, a drive mechanism and one or more sensing systems are described. The drive mechanism advances the syringe from a storage position to an injection position, and a plunger advances the syringe piston from an initial position to a final position. The status sensing system may include one or more main PCB(s) disposed in an end portion of the injection device assembly's housing. The system may determine various parameters related to an operational status of the injection device, including the location of the device's components, an amount of medication remaining in the device, a temperature of the medication, and whether or not the device is properly contacting the user's skin before injection. The system may communicate such determined parameters to an external device via a wireless communication link.