Medical Delivery Device Activation Detection via Image Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a system and method to verify the activation of medical delivery devices to ensure medication administration compliance and prevent adverse health consequences due to missed scheduled injections.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing image sensors and augmented reality techniques on a web-enabled mobile device to capture images of medical delivery devices before and after activation, comparing image data to determine activation status, and transmitting this information to a server for updating patient records and alerting healthcare providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual verification of medical delivery device activation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but medication compliance monitoring reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedication compliance monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital copy (photograph) of the medical delivery device to verify its activation state. Instead of complex sensors or detectors attached to the device, a standard camera captures an image that is then analyzed to determine whether the device has been properly activated, eliminating the need for specialized verification hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical verification methods with an automated image-based system. The camera captures the device state, and image processing algorithms automatically determine activation status, substituting human effort and simple mechanical checks with an automated optical detection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If automated image-based detection system is implemented, then medication compliance monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a universal camera (standard digital camera or smartphone camera) that can serve multiple purposes - capturing device activation state, storing photographs, and transmitting images. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for specialized single-purpose detection hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system that acts as a mediator between the simple camera capture and the complex compliance monitoring requirements. The image processing algorithms analyze the captured photographs to determine activation status, bridging the gap between simple data collection and complex verification needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If real-time monitoring and notification system is implemented, then medication compliance is improved, but loss of time in data transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedication compliance monitoring efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing the device activation state photograph at the moment of activation. This immediate documentation ensures that compliance data is recorded without delay, and the photograph serves as timely evidence of proper device usage for subsequent verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where activation status information is transmitted to healthcare providers and stored in databases, creating a closed-loop monitoring system. This feedback enables real-time awareness of compliance status, allowing prompt intervention if activation fails to occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3195163B1System and method for detecting activation of a medical delivery device
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 AMGEN INC
  • EP3195163B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3195163B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3195163B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Methods and systems for determining that a medical delivery device has been activated may be provided. According to certain aspects, a user captures a first image to determine if a medical delivery device is ready to be activated. The first image is transmitted to a health care provider which verifies that the medical delivery device should be activated. If the medical delivery device is to be activated, an electronic device instructs the user to activate the medical delivery device. Subsequently, the user transmits details about the activation of the medical delivery device to the health care provider to update a medical record.