Medicament Delivery Device Bung Sensor Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices, such as auto-injectors for insulin administration, are cumbersome and difficult for users with impaired vision or reduced dexterity to use, particularly when replacing cartridges and ensuring proper seating, leading to potential under-dosing.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device with sensors (bung, latch, and cartridge sensors) that automatically advance the piston rod upon correct cartridge seating and closure, eliminating the need for manual priming and reducing the risk of under-dosing by ensuring proper cartridge alignment and seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device requires manual priming and cartridge seating verification by the user, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates for users with impaired vision or reduced dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-verification of cartridge seating through sensors that automatically detect whether the cartridge is properly installed. The system eliminates the need for manual priming by automatically advancing the piston rod to contact the bung when the cartridge is correctly seated, allowing the device to service itself rather than requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors provide feedback to the control unit about the cartridge seating status and piston rod position. This feedback loop enables the control system to automatically adjust the piston rod advancement, ensuring proper contact with the bung without requiring the user to manually verify or adjust the positioning.
2Reliability
If the device automatically advances the piston rod upon cartridge insertion, then the reliability of proper cartridge seating improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification of cartridge seating with electronic sensors and automated control. Instead of requiring the user to mechanically check and adjust cartridge positioning, electronic sensors detect the seating status and the control unit automatically manages the piston rod advancement, substituting mechanical user interaction with an automated electromechanical system.
3Ease of operation
If the drive mechanism activates without verifying cartridge presence, then the device operation becomes simpler, but the risk of under-dosing increases when no cartridge is present
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary verification of cartridge presence and proper seating through sensors before activating the drive mechanism. The control unit checks the sensor signals to confirm the cartridge is correctly installed and the piston rod is properly positioned against the bung before initiating medicament delivery, preventing under-dosing while maintaining simple user operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A medicament delivery device comprises a housing, a holder within the housing for receiving a medicament cartridge, a piston rod for driving a bung of the medicament cartridge, a drive mechanism including a motor for providing an output drive to the piston rod for delivering the medicament and control means for controlling operation of the device. The device is additionally provided with a bung sensor for sensing when the piston rod is in contact with the bung and the control means is operative for advancing the drive of the piston rod towards the bung.