Injection Shield Sensor Power Switching for Reliable Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices face challenges in minimizing power consumption while maintaining reliable electronic monitoring and reporting capabilities, particularly for elderly or frail users who may miss or incorrectly administer injections, and existing solutions often rely on user-operated switches that can be misused.
Innovation Solution
An injection device with a dedicated in-use sensor that detects needle insertion into the skin, switching the device from a low power mode to a higher power mode to activate additional sensors for monitoring and reporting, while keeping other components inactive during non-use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic monitoring and reporting functions are implemented in the injection device, then monitoring accuracy and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by switching the monitoring unit between lower power mode and higher power mode based on operational state. The in-use sensor detects when the shield moves from extended to retracted position, triggering a mode switch that activates additional sensors and processing only when needed, thereby maintaining monitoring accuracy while reducing overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If all sensors and components are kept operable for continuous monitoring, then monitoring reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by activating full monitoring functionality only during the injection event when the shield moves from extended to retracted position. The in-use sensor triggers the monitoring unit to switch from lower power mode to higher power mode temporarily, then returns to lower power mode after injection completion, ensuring reliable monitoring only when medically necessary.
3Device complexity
If user-operated switches are used to activate monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates for elderly users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the in-use sensor to automatically detect when the shield moves from extended to retracted position, thereby autonomously triggering the mode switch without requiring any user action. This eliminates the need for user-operated switches while maintaining simplicity, as the device automatically activates monitoring based on the mechanical movement that occurs during normal injection procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An injection device comprising a main housing, a drive mechanism for providing motive force to deliver medication, and a shield attached to a proximal end of the main housing, the shield being coupled to the drive mechanism so that inward movement of the shield causes release of the drive mechanism to provide said motive force, and the shield being biased towards an extended position. The injection device further comprises a plurality of sensors including an in-use sensor coupled between the main housing and the shield, and a monitoring and reporting unit electrically coupled to the sensors for monitoring use. In a lower power mode, the in-use sensor is monitored whilst the other sensors and components are inoperable and, in a higher power mode, the other sensors and components are operable. Upon detection by the in-use sensor of inward movement of the shield the monitoring and reporting unit is switched from the lower power mode to the higher power mode.