Injection Device Dial Attachment with Axial Locking for Dose Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices lack a reliable method to monitor and record medicament delivery data, such as insulin doses, without interfering with their normal operation or requiring precise alignment with varying control dial designs.
Innovation Solution
A supplementary device, such as a data collection device, is attached to the control dial of an injection device, featuring a sleeve and an axial attachment member that secures the device axially and a rotational coupling mechanism, allowing it to fit various control dial shapes and sizes, while sensors detect dose settings and usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a supplementary device is attached to the control dial to monitor medicament delivery data, then data collection capability is improved, but the device may interfere with normal operation or fail to align with varying control dial designs
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into two independent functional components: an axial attachment member for securing the supplementary device to the control dial, and a rotational coupling member for enabling rotation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring reliable attachment without interfering with normal operation. The axial attachment member provides stable mounting while the rotational coupling member allows the control dial to rotate freely, resolving the contradiction between data collection reliability and operational interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial attachment member is designed with a universal engagement structure that can accommodate various control dial shapes and sizes. The attachment member includes features such as a clamp with multiple arms or a resilient ring that can adapt to different dial geometries, enabling the supplementary device to be attached to multiple injection device models without requiring model-specific customization. This universality ensures reliable attachment across different devices while maintaining data collection capability.
2Reliability
If the axial attachment member engages the control dial tightly to prevent axial movement, then attachment reliability is improved, but the control dial may be difficult to rotate or insert
Solution Approach 1:
The axial attachment member incorporates a dynamic engagement mechanism that transitions from a permissive state during insertion to a secure state during operation. The clamp arms or resilient ring are designed to flex during insertion, allowing the control dial to be pushed onto the supplementary device without resistance. Once inserted, the elastic recovery of the material or the mechanical engagement of the clamp arms provides tight axial attachment to prevent movement during use. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between easy insertion and secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member utilizes elastic deformation of its material to change its engagement parameters. When the control dial is inserted, the resilient material deforms elastically to accommodate the dial, providing a loose fit that facilitates insertion. As the dial is fully inserted and the material recovers its original shape, it exerts a gripping force on the dial control element, providing secure axial attachment. This parameter change through elastic deformation allows the same structure to provide both easy insertion and reliable attachment without compromise.
3Measurement precision
If the grooves are designed to tightly fit the control dial formations, then rotational coupling precision is improved, but the device cannot accommodate various injection device designs
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational coupling member features localized engagement elements (grooves) positioned at specific locations on its inner circumference. These grooves are designed to engage with corresponding formations on the control dial, providing precise rotational coupling when the dial is inserted. The local quality of the groove engagement ensures that rotation is accurately transmitted from the control dial to the supplementary device, maintaining measurement precision while the overall design remains adaptable to different injection device types.
Data Source
AI summary
A supplementary device for an injection device is disclosed. The injection device has a control dial that is rotatably mounted about an axis at a proximal end of the injection device, and the supplementary device is attachable to the control dial. The supplementary device includes a sleeve adapted to be positioned over the control dial when the supplementary device is attached to the injection device. The supplementary device also includes an axial attachment member arranged such that insertion of the control dial into the sleeve moves the axial attachment member from an initial position that permits axial movement of the control dial into the sleeve, into an engagement position in which the axial attachment member engages the control dial to axially attach the supplementary device to the control dial.