Injection Device Supplement With Optical Dose Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of an RFID unit with a value sensor in pre-filled disposable injection devices increases the cost of these devices, making them less economical for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A supplementary device for manually operable injection devices, featuring a body with a passage for the injection device, a securing unit, and optical reading capabilities, which securely attaches to the device and captures dose information via optical character recognition, reducing the need for costly integrated sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an RFID unit with value sensor is integrated into pre-filled disposable injection devices, then monitoring capability is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate parts: a simple injection device and a separate supplementary device containing the RFID unit and value sensor. This segmentation allows the monitoring functionality to be added only when needed, rather than increasing the cost of every injection device.
Solution Approach 2:
A supplementary device acts as an intermediary between the injection device and the monitoring system. This intermediary contains the expensive RFID unit and value sensor, while the basic injection device remains simple and cost-effective.
2Reliability
If a supplementary device is added to provide monitoring, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex monitoring components (RFID unit, value sensor, control circuit) are extracted from the basic injection device and placed in a separate supplementary device. This allows the injection device to remain simple while monitoring functionality is provided by the separate unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplementary device serves multiple functions: it contains the RFID unit for identification, the value sensor for parameter monitoring, and the control circuit for data processing. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single auxiliary unit rather than distributing it across multiple components.
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 supplementary device provides cost-effective monitoring of injection device usage and medicament information without the need for expensive integrated sensors, enhancing user tracking and management of medication administration.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes a camera and is configured to perform optical character recognition (OCR) on captured images visible through a dosage window of the injection device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a supplementary device a supplementary device for a manually operable injection device. The supplementary device has a body defining a passage through which an injection device is slidable, and a securing unit to secure the body to the injection device in the specific position when the injection device is received through the passage.