Medical Device Container Receiver With Wireless Tag Reader
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices, such as injector devices, face challenges in ensuring the correct pharmaceutical product is used and preventing erroneous usage, including the use of expired products, due to lack of effective verification methods.
Innovation Solution
A medical device equipped with a container receiver unit, a communication tag for storing product information, a reader unit for wireless data retrieval, and a control unit to prevent dispensing of expired products, along with a second communication tag for debugging and parameter setting, and a wireless terminal for real-time data communication and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a communication tag is added to the container for storing product information, then product identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication tag is integrated within the container structure, with the tag embedded in or attached to the container body. This nesting approach allows the tag to be part of the container assembly without requiring separate handling or additional external components, thereby improving identification accuracy while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be self-identifying through its integrated communication tag, which automatically provides product information when read by the reader unit. This eliminates the need for manual verification or additional identification mechanisms, improving accuracy while keeping the system simple through automated self-service functionality.
2Reliability
If a reader unit is integrated into the medical device for wireless reading, then verification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reader unit is integrated into the medical device housing, combining the verification function with the existing device structure. This merging approach allows the reader to be part of the device without requiring a separate standalone unit, thereby improving verification capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through consolidated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical device performs automatic verification of the container through its integrated reader unit, eliminating the need for manual verification steps or external verification equipment. This self-service verification improves reliability by ensuring consistent checking while keeping the system simple through automated operation.
3Illumination intensity
If the container is positioned between the opening and the reader unit, then product visibility is improved, but reading reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The communication tag is positioned on the container surface that faces the reader unit, while the opening allows visual inspection from a different spatial dimension. This dimensional arrangement enables both visibility through the opening and reliable reading by the reader unit without direct interference, as they operate in different spatial planes and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The container itself acts as an intermediary structure that accommodates both the communication tag for reading and the visibility requirement through the opening. The container's design allows the tag to be positioned for optimal reading while maintaining visibility through the opening, mediating between the potentially conflicting requirements of reading reliability and product visibility.
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
Ensures accurate identification and prevention of expired product usage, allows for remote parameter setting without compromising sterility, and enhances device monitoring and usage tracking.
Implementation Method 1
a reader unit configured to wirelessly read the information from the first communication tag
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical device (100) comprises a container receiver unit (110) configured to receive and hold a container (120), wherein the container (120) accommodates a pharmaceutical product (125) and comprises a first communication tag (130) configured to store information regarding the pharmaceutical product (125), a reader unit (140) configured to wirelessly read the information from the first communication tag (130), and a control unit (150) configured to control the medical device (100) based on the information read from the first communication tag (130). The medical device (100) further comprises an opening or a transparent window (165) allowing to at least partially see from the outside the container (120) inserted into the container receiver unit (110), wherein the reader unit (140) comprises a first antenna unit (142, 144), and the container (120) inserted into the container receiver unit (110) is located between (i) the opening or the transparent window (165) and (ii) the first antenna unit (142, 144).