Injection Add-On Module with Motion-Triggered Sensor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic add-on modules for injection devices require conscious user manipulation to activate functions, which can be forgotten or undetected, leading to potential errors in medication administration.
Innovation Solution
An electronic add-on module with a sensor unit and processor unit that detects relative movement between module components, switching to an active mode upon user interaction, ensuring reliable activation of dispensing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the add-on module is operated in energy-saving mode to minimize energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the risk of forgotten activation of dispensing functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects user manipulation through sensors and self-activates the sensor unit and dispensing functions without requiring conscious user intervention. The processor unit monitors sensor signals and automatically transitions the add-on module from energy-saving mode to active mode when manipulation is detected, ensuring reliable function activation while maintaining energy efficiency during idle periods.
2Reliability
If sensors are used to detect user manipulation, then reliability of function activation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit operates periodically rather than continuously. During energy-saving mode, the sensor unit is deactivated. When the processor unit detects manipulation signals from sensors such as capacitive touch sensors or acceleration sensors, it activates the sensor unit to monitor the dispensing process. This periodic operation ensures reliable detection of user manipulation while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor unit remains active to detect manipulation, then detection reliability is improved, but energy storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The operational state of the sensor unit is dynamically adjusted based on system conditions. The processor unit controls the sensor unit to switch between active and inactive states according to detected manipulation signals. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain high detection reliability when needed while reducing energy consumption to extend battery life when no manipulation is detected, optimizing the balance between detection reliability and energy storage requirements.
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
Ensures reliable detection of user manipulation for accurate medication administration by minimizing energy consumption and preventing errors.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element arranged between the first and second module components, in whose direction of movement the spring element acts
Implementation Method 2
a sensor unit for detecting processes or states in the injection device; a motion detector for detecting this relative movement of the two module components
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic add-on module (2) for an injection device (1), having a longitudinal axis and a discharge button (14), which is arranged at the proximal end of the injection device and can be moved in the distal direction along the longitudinal axis, for discharging a liquid medication out of a container of the injection device. The add-on module comprises a sensor unit for detecting processes or states in the injection device, a first module component (21) and a second module component (22) which can be moved relative to each other in a movement direction by an action of the user and while tensioning a spring element (23), and a detector (24) for detecting said relative movement. The first module component comprises a module housing (20) of the add-on module, comprising a handle for the user to grip and hold the add-on module, and the second module component is coupled or can be coupled to the device housing (10) in the movement direction. After a relative movement of the module components is detected, the sensor unit changes from a first operating mode to a second operating mode.