Insulin Injection Sensor Shield Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients using insulin injection devices often fail to accurately record insulin types and doses, leading to potential misuse of incorrect insulin types, which can be life-threatening.
Innovation Solution
A supplemental device with optical sensors and LEDs is attached to the insulin injection device, using light of different wavelengths to identify the type of insulin by analyzing the reflection characteristics of the device's surface, and recording dose information without a lens, thereby improving accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lens or component with optical power is provided in the field of view of the sensor, then the sensor can focus light and improve detection capability, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lens from the optical path between the injection device surface and the sensor. The shield structure is designed to directly expose the sensor to reflected light from the injection device surface without requiring a lens for focusing, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining detection capability through the shield's geometric configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The shield acts as an intermediary structure that defines the field of view and directs light from the injection device surface to the sensor without requiring a lens. The shield's aperture and positioning create the necessary optical path control through its physical geometry rather than through refractive elements
2Illumination intensity
If the field of view of the sensor is not restricted, then more ambient light can reach the sensor improving signal strength, but light from outside the surface area of the injection device will interfere with the measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The shield creates a localized field of view that is precisely directed at the surface area of the injection device. Only light reflected from this specific local area can reach the sensor, while ambient light from other directions is blocked. This localizes the optical interaction to exactly where it is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The shield converts the potential harm of ambient light interference into a benefit by using the shield's own structure to define the acceptable light path. The shield blocks harmful ambient light while simultaneously guiding the useful reflected light from the injection device surface to the sensor through its aperture
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 device ensures accurate identification of insulin types and reliable recording of doses, reducing the risk of incorrect insulin use and enhancing patient safety by restricting the field of view to prevent ambient light interference.
Implementation Method 1
using light of different wavelengths to identify the type of insulin by analyzing the reflection characteristics of the device's surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A supplemental device (34) comprising: a connector (37) configured to attach the supplemental device (34) to an injection device (10) in use; a sensor (60) configured to generate sensor output dependent on an intensity of light on the sensor (60) and having a field of view directed at a surface area (57) of the injection device (10) in use, the surface area (57) being external to the supplemental device (34); a light source (58) configured to generate illumination which in use can be directed out of the supplemental device (34) onto the surface area (57); a shield (62) configured to limit the field of view of the sensor (60) such that the field of view is entirely directed at the surface area (57) in use; and a processor (40) configured to use the sensor output generated when illumination from the light source (58) is reflected from the surface area (57) to determine a property of the injection device (10).