Magnetic Sensor Dose Capture for Medication Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional diabetes treatment methods, such as multiple daily injections and insulin pens, lack the capability to accurately and automatically record and transmit medication dose delivery information, leading to inadequate feedback for healthcare professionals and poor adherence to therapy due to tedious and error-prone manual logging.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing magnetic position sensing, including Hall-effect and magnetoresistive sensors, and MEMS flow sensing to capture and transmit dose information from medication delivery devices, enabling real-time data capture and analysis for improved diabetes management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If magnetic position sensing components (Hall-effect sensors, magnetoresistive sensors) are integrated into medication delivery devices, then dose delivery information can be automatically captured and transmitted, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic dose captureVSAvoidsensor integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical recording methods with magnetic position sensing technology. Hall-effect sensors and magnetoresistive sensors detect the position of a magnet or ferrous element within the medication delivery device, automatically capturing dose delivery information without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical recording mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The medication delivery device performs self-monitoring of dose delivery through integrated magnetic sensors. The device automatically detects when medication is delivered by sensing the movement or position changes of internal magnetic components, eliminating the need for external manual logging and providing autonomous feedback to healthcare professionals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual logging of medication doses is required, then device complexity remains low, but measurement precision and reliability of dose recording deteriorate due to errors and omissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of deviceVSAvoidaccuracy of dose recording

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates manual logging by substituting it with electronic magnetic position sensing. Hall-effect sensors and magnetoresistive sensors provide precise, objective measurement of dose delivery by detecting magnetic field changes, eliminating the errors and omissions inherent in manual recording while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If comprehensive dose information capture is implemented, then feedback quality to healthcare providers improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of dose dataVSAvoidinformation capture system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses magnetic position sensing to capture comprehensive dose information including dose amount, timing, and delivery status. Hall-effect sensors and magnetoresistive sensors provide complete data feedback to healthcare providers through wireless transmission, eliminating information loss while maintaining manageable device complexity through efficient sensing technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides accurate and automatic recording of medication doses, enhancing feedback to healthcare providers, improving patient adherence, and facilitating better glycemic control by automating data capture and transmission.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetic position sensor adapted to detect a position of the sensor element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic position sensing: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

utilizing magnetic position sensing such as Hall-effect sensing and magnetoresistive (MR) sensing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall-effect sensing: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 3

Micro Electra Mechanical Systems (MEMS) flow sensing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMEMS flow sensing: Microelectromechanical Systems

Data Source

PatentUS10971260B2System and method for capturing dose information

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

A system for capture of dose delivery information is provided. The system includes a medication delivery device, a dose information capture device adapted to be attached to the medication delivery device, and a target element adapted to be attached to the medication delivery device. The target element comprises a magnet or ferrous element and the target element attaches to the medication delivery device on a dose delivery mechanism of the medication delivery device. The dose information capture device includes a magnetic position sensor adapted to detect a position of the target element. As an alternative to magnetic sensing, MEMS flow sensors, and the like may also be used. Exemplary systems preferably transmit dose information in real time to remote devices for further processing.