Injection Add-On Connection Sensing for Reusable Dose Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices face challenges in simplifying the process of handling medicament container replacement, particularly in reusable devices, and ensuring accurate logging and monitoring of dose administration, especially for patients with impaired vision or dexterity, while maintaining patient safety.
Innovation Solution
An injection device with a machine-readable identification and detector arrangement that facilitates mechanical connection detection between the device body and container part, enabling wireless communication with an add-on device for automated dose tracking and logging, even in the absence of active electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a detachable connection with add-on device is implemented, then automated dose tracking and logging is enabled, but the label or characteristic portion of the injection device may be covered by the add-on device
Solution Approach 1:
The machine-readable identification is positioned on the container part (distal end) rather than on the body (proximal end), moving the identification to a different spatial dimension/location. This ensures that the add-on device's label or characteristic portion does not cover the machine-readable identification, allowing wireless communication to function properly while maintaining automated dose tracking capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reusable injection devices are used with add-on devices, then medicament container replacement is possible, but the process of handling replacement becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detector arrangement automatically detects the mechanical connection between the container part and body when the medicament container is replaced. This self-detection mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention to reset or reconfigure the add-on device, automatically initializing the dosing history and residual amount calculation, thereby simplifying the replacement handling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector arrangement provides automatic feedback about the mechanical connection status to the machine-readable identification, which then updates the add-on device's recording. This feedback loop ensures that the dosing history and residual amount are automatically updated when a new container is installed, reducing handling complexity for reusable devices.
3Ease of operation
If manual dose logging is used, then simplicity is maintained, but security and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical logging with an automated electronic system. The detector arrangement and machine-readable identification work together to automatically detect, record, and transmit dosing information to the add-on device and external electronic devices. This substitution eliminates the need for manual logging while significantly improving security and convenience through automated monitoring and data storage.
4Extent of automation
If active electronic components are added to the injection device, then automated detection is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine-readable identification acts as an intermediary between the detector arrangement and the add-on device. It receives detection signals from the detector arrangement and transmits information wirelessly to the add-on device. This intermediary approach enables automated detection functionality while minimizing the addition of active electronic components to the injection device itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an injection device for injecting of a dose of a medicament that includes a housing having a body and a container part configured to accommodate a medicament container and detachably connectable to the body, a drive mechanism arranged in the body and operable to expel the dose of the medicament from the medicament container, a machine-readable identification on or inside one of the body and the container part, and a detector arrangement operable to detect a mechanical connection between the body and the container part. The machine-readable identification is electrically connected to the detector arrangement, is readable by an electronic module of an add-on device connectable to the injection device and is indicative of the mechanical connection between the body and the container part.