Medicament Injection Device Motion Tracking via Sensor Logging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medicament delivery devices lack effective means to track user behavior and provide real-time feedback, which is crucial for training and compliance.

Innovation Solution

A medicament delivery device equipped with a sensor device to detect motion and a logging device to track user behavior, along with a communication device to transmit data for real-time visualization and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a medicament delivery device is equipped with sensor and logging devices to track user behavior, then user behavior tracking capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser behavior trackingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device serves multiple functions: detecting motion, determining orientation, and tracking user behavior patterns. By making the sensor system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function, thereby improving user behavior tracking capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a processing unit as an intermediary that receives data from sensors and generates user behavior patterns. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing data processing and interpretation, allowing the sensor device to track user behavior effectively without requiring complex direct connections between all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If motion detection sensors are added to the medicament delivery device, then user handling analysis is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the sensor device and logging device in a disposable hub assembly that is discarded after use. This approach allows the use of precision motion detection sensors without concern for long-term durability or recalibration, as the entire assembly is replaced after a single use. The low cost of the disposable unit offsets the expense of precision sensors, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Speed

If real-time data transmission is implemented, then real-time feedback capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic data transmission where the logging device transmits user behavior patterns at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission approach maintains real-time feedback capability for analysis while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission, as the communication module remains inactive between transmission cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 user behavior tracking and analysis, improving training and compliance by providing immediate feedback and allowing for the evaluation of user handling and device performance.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor device may comprise one or more of the following sensors: a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and/or an accelerometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

the sensor device may comprise one or more of the following sensors: a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and/or an accelerometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetometer: Magnetometer

Implementation Method 3

the sensor device may comprise one or more of the following sensors: a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and/or an accelerometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentEP3183017B1Medicament injection device or injection mock-up demo device with motion detector to log and track user behaviour
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 SHL MEDICAL AG
  • EP3183017B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3183017B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a mock-up medicament injector for training purposes or an actual medicament injection device (1) comprising a sensor device (2) configured to detect movements of the whole device, and a logging device (3) configured to record said movements and thus track user behaviour of the device. The sensor can be e.g. an accelerometer, gyroscope or magnetometer. The device can communicate the logged data either in real time or at a later point in time from its memory to an external computer device. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for tracking behaviour of a user using the medicament injector or training device (1).