Skin-Attachable Injection Device Tapping Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable medicament delivery devices, such as bolus injectors, lack discreet feedback mechanisms, making it difficult for users to monitor the delivery status without alerting others, which can be embarrassing and stressful.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device equipped with a transducer to detect physical inputs, a feedback apparatus to recognize user requests, and a transmitter to provide discreet feedback via a wireless communication link to a separate user device, allowing users to receive information about the delivery progress without others noticing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If feedback is provided through sounds or vibrations, then the user can monitor delivery status, but privacy is compromised and others become aware of the feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (transmitter and user device) as a mediator between the injection device and the user. Instead of direct feedback through sounds or vibrations that others can perceive, the system uses wireless signals to transmit delivery status information to a personal user device, maintaining privacy while providing necessary information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical feedback mechanisms (sounds and vibrations) with electronic/wireless communication systems. The transducer detects physical inputs and the transmitter sends information wirelessly to a user device, substituting the mechanical feedback path with an electronic information path that preserves user privacy.
2Loss of information
If the device provides continuous monitoring feedback, then the user can track delivery progress, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feedback display function from the injection device itself and places it on a separate user device. The injection device only needs to transmit data wirelessly, while the user device handles the complex display and information presentation, thereby reducing the complexity of the injection device while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the user device's existing capabilities (display, processing, wireless communication) to provide feedback functionality. Instead of building a dedicated feedback system in the injection device, the system uses the user's existing multi-functional device to handle information display, reducing overall system complexity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the device is worn for a significant length of time, then the medicament can be delivered at a desired rate, but the user does not know the status of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the injection device continuously monitors delivery status and transmits this information wirelessly to the user device. This allows the user to monitor delivery progress in real-time or near-real-time, maintaining awareness of device status throughout the extended wear period without requiring the user to physically check the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical monitoring methods (which would require user interaction with the device) with wireless electronic communication. The transducer and transmitter components enable automatic status reporting without mechanical user intervention, allowing long-term wear with continuous information availability.
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 users to discreetly monitor the medicament delivery status, reducing mental stress and maintaining privacy by transmitting feedback only to their personal device, ensuring secure and private communication.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer configured to detect a physical input to the device during an injection and to generate a signal which is indicative of the detected physical input
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter configured to respond to the request by outputting information regarding the delivery of the medicament to a separate user device via a wireless communication link
Data Source
AI summary
A skin attachable drug injection device (1), comprising an accelerometer (26) able to detect the user tapping against the housing (2) of the device and to generate an electrical signal to the device controller (16), which recognizes the signal as a user request for information regarding the ongoing delivery of the medicament, and a transmitter (30) which in response wirelessly transmits said information (e.g. the expected remaining during of the injection) to a separate portable user device having a display (e.g. mobile phone). A user carrying the injection device under clothing can thus receive feedback about the status of the injection in a discreet way.