Injection Dose Encoder Sensing With Low-Power Optical Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament injection devices lack effective methods to accurately measure and track the administered dose, particularly in variable dose settings, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies in patient self-administration.
Innovation Solution
The injection device incorporates a rotary encoder system with a movable dosage programming component and a sensor arrangement comprising two optical sensors operating at different frequencies, along with a processor to determine the medicament dosage accurately, utilizing a staggered mode of operation and power management techniques to minimize battery consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single optical sensor operates at high frequency to accurately track dosage, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dosage tracking function into two separate optical sensors with different operational characteristics. The first optical sensor operates at a higher frequency for accurate dosage measurement, while the second optical sensor operates at a lower frequency for monitoring purposes. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having the second optical sensor operate at a lower frequency than the first sensor. Instead of both sensors operating at maximum frequency, the system uses a reduced-frequency operation for the second sensor, which is sufficient for its monitoring function but significantly reduces total power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If two optical sensors operate simultaneously to track dosage accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two optical sensors into a unified sensor arrangement that works together to track dosage. The first and second optical sensors are positioned to detect different aspects of the dosage mechanism, and their signals are combined and processed by the control unit to achieve accurate dosage measurement. This merging approach achieves better measurement precision while managing complexity through integrated design.
3Measurement precision
If the first optical sensor operates at high frequency to capture rapid dosage changes, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time in data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing tasks between the two optical sensors and the control unit. The first optical sensor captures rapid dosage changes at high frequency, while the second optical sensor provides contextual information at lower frequency. The control unit then processes and combines these signals, using the high-frequency data for precise dosage detection while managing processing time through efficient signal handling and integration with the lower-frequency sensor data.
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 dose tracking and minimizes power usage, ensuring accurate dose measurement and efficient data recording, even at higher rotational speeds, thereby enhancing user experience and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical sensor configured to detect movement of the movable dosage programming component relative to the sensor arrangement during dosing of a medicament, wherein the first optical sensor is configured to operate in a strobe-sampling mode at a first frequency
Implementation Method 2
a second optical sensor configured to detect movement of the rotary encoder system relative to the second optical sensor, wherein the second optical sensor is configured to operate in a strobe-sampling mode at a second frequency lower than the first frequency
Implementation Method 3
a rotary encoder system having a predefined angular periodicity... an encoder ring comprising a plurality of substantially light reflective flags arranged circumferentially around the encoder ring in accordance with the predefined periodicity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to medicament injection devices. An injection device includes: a movable dosage programming component comprising a rotary encoder system having a predefined angular periodicity, a sensor arrangement including a first optical sensor configured to detect movement of the movable dosage programming component relative to the sensor arrangement during dosing of a medicament, wherein the first optical sensor is configured to operate in a strobe-sampling mode at a first frequency, a second optical sensor configured to detect movement of the rotary encoder system relative to the second optical sensor wherein the second optical sensor is configured to operate in a strobe-sampling mode at a second frequency lower than the first frequency, and a processor arrangement configured to, based on the detected movement, determine a medicament dosage administered by the injection device.