Magnetic Dose Control for Pen-Type Injectable Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injectable-drug delivery devices face challenges with accurate and precise dosage control, often requiring complex mechanical solutions that can lead to user error and device malfunction, and lack flexibility in adapting to different types of pen-type injectable-drug delivery devices.
Innovation Solution
A dose control device with a magnetic field producing means and clutch assembly that allows for selective engagement and disengagement, enabling flexible movement and rotation configurations to accommodate various pen-type injectable-drug delivery devices, using a magnetic field sensor and data processing unit for precise dose calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex mechanical solutions are used for dosage control, then dosage precision can be improved, but device complexity increases and user operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical dosage control mechanisms with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnetic field sensor detects the position of a magnet attached to the piston rod, enabling precise dosage measurement without mechanical linkages, gears, or complex moving parts. This substitution directly resolves the contradiction by achieving high measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element that couples the mechanical movement of the piston rod to the magnetic field sensor. This intermediary enables non-contact detection of piston position, allowing precise dosage control without direct mechanical connection between the moving parts and the sensing system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If mechanical means are added to prevent excessive dosing, then dosage control reliability is improved, but device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical dosage control and limitation mechanisms with an electronic system based on magnetic field detection. The magnetic field sensor continuously monitors piston position, and a processor enforces dosage limits through software control, eliminating the need for mechanical stoppers, gears, or complex mechanical interlocks. This achieves high reliability in dosage control while keeping the device simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback system where the magnetic field sensor continuously provides information about piston position to a processor, which then controls the injection process. This closed-loop feedback enables reliable dosage control by monitoring and adjusting the injection in real-time, preventing excessive dosing without requiring complex mechanical prevention mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If contactless sensors and information processing systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different pen-type devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the magnetic field-based dose control device to be universally compatible with various pen-type injectable-drug delivery devices. The magnetic field sensor and processor can detect and adapt to different magnet positions, piston rod configurations, and injection mechanisms across multiple device types. This universal design enables a single simple device to work with many different pen-type devices, achieving both low complexity and high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter-based adaptation where the information processing system adjusts detection thresholds, magnetic field sensitivity, and control parameters based on the specific pen-type device being used. By changing operational parameters rather than hardware configuration, the system maintains simplicity while adapting to different device characteristics, resolving the contradiction between low complexity and high adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic field producing means and clutch assembly are added, then adaptability to various devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a magnet as a simple intermediary element that attaches to the piston rod and interfaces with the magnetic field sensor. This single magnetic intermediary enables the system to detect piston position and adapt to different device types without requiring complex mechanical coupling mechanisms, clutch assemblies, or multiple moving parts. The simplicity of the magnetic intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through a minimal addition to the device.
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
Provides accurate and flexible dose control without altering the user interface of existing devices, allowing for precise dose setting and injection, and compatibility with a range of pen-type injectable-drug delivery devices.
Implementation Method 1
a magneto-resistive sensor, fixed to a first element, opposite a second magnetizable element, movable relative to the first element... whereby a measurable change in resistance is generated in the magneto-resistive sensor due to the change in magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic device formed from a permanent magnet on the first element, and a second magnetizable element with a predetermined surface profile such that when the first and second elements are moved relative to each other, a surface of the second element changes its distance from the permanent magnet of the first element, whereby a measurable change in resistance is generated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Dose control device for a handheld pen-type injectable-drug delivery device, the handheld pen-type injectable-drug delivery device comprising an elongate body with a proximal and distal extremity, alongitudinal axis extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity, and a rotatable dose setting wheel located at said proximal extremity, wherein said dose control device comprises a magnetic field producing means located at the proximal extremity of said elongate body; one or more magnetic field sensors in communication with a data processing unit located on an outer surface of, or inside, the elongate body; and a clutch assembly configured to selectively move the magnetic field producing means from a first, engaged, position, to a second, disengaged, position.