Injection Pressure Sensor Assembly for Incomplete Dose Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices lack effective mechanisms to detect failed or incomplete drug delivery operations, such as blockages or priming gaps, which can result in undetected under-dosing, and do not provide real-time feedback on the quality of the delivery process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pressure or force sensor into the stopper or plunger rod of the drug delivery device to monitor the force applied during the delivery operation, with optional wireless connectivity to an external device for feedback, and integrating a processor to analyze the pressure or force data to determine the quality of the delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure sensor is integrated into the injection device to monitor injection pressure, then the patient safety and injection accuracy are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is integrated directly into the cartridge or injection device structure, merging the sensing function with the existing components. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining reliable pressure monitoring for patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors injection pressure for patient safety, verifies proper needle insertion, detects cartridge installation status, and provides feedback for injection control. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive safety and control capabilities from a single integrated component.
2Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is integrated into the injection device to monitor injection pressure, then the injection accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing function is separated as a distinct module or component that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the injection device. This segmentation allows specialized manufacturing processes to be applied to the sensor component while the main device assembly uses standard manufacturing techniques, balancing measurement precision requirements with manufacturing feasibility.
3Productivity
If pressure monitoring is implemented in the injection device, then the injection process control is improved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is designed to operate within specific pressure ranges relevant to different injection types (insulin, biologics, etc.), optimizing its performance for each application. By tailoring the sensing parameters to match the actual operating conditions, the device achieves improved injection process control while using cost-effective sensor specifications rather than over-engineering for unnecessary precision.
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
Enables real-time detection of successful drug delivery, alerts users to potential issues, and provides data on delivered dose, ensuring accurate medication administration and extending the device's shelf life by limiting wireless module activation until after use.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor integrated into the injection device or cartridge to detect pressure changes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
Described is an electronics assembly with pressure or force sensing capabilities for use in a drug delivery device. The electronics assembly includes a processor, a sensor arranged to the force applied by a drive mechanism to drive a medicament from a cartridge, a wireless module to which an external device can be paired, a power module arranged to supply power to the assembly, and memory storing instructions for the processor to perform. The instructions include receiving a measurement signal during the drug delivery operation, and determining if the dose of the medicament was expelled from the drug delivery device based on the received measurement signal.