Medicament Delivery Communication Using Conductive Spring Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medicament delivery devices face challenges in reliably monitoring patient adherence to prescribed medication schedules, as current methods are unreliable and prone to non-compliance, leading to potential health complications and increased medical costs.

Innovation Solution

A communication device integrated with medicament delivery devices that detects translational movements of physical parts using resilience and electrical conductivity, transmitting information wirelessly to an external device to confirm medication administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If patients are monitored using manual data entry applications, then some medication intake information can be gathered, but the reliability of the information is very low due to patient forgetfulness and lack of motivation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of medication intake informationVSAvoidease of data entry for patients

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the medication delivery device itself to automatically detect and transmit medication administration data without requiring patient intervention. The device monitors its own state (spring compression/expansion) and autonomously communicates this information, eliminating the need for patients to manually enter data while ensuring accurate and reliable monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automatic monitoring systems are implemented, then reliable medication adherence data can be collected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of medication adherence monitoringVSAvoidcomplexity of monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing spring mechanism in the medication delivery device is given dual functionality: it continues to provide the mechanical force needed for medication delivery while simultaneously serving as a sensor to detect device state changes. This eliminates the need for separate complex sensing systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electronic sensing systems with a simple electrical circuit that detects the mechanical state of the spring. By using electrical conductivity changes in the spring itself rather than complex mechanical or optical sensors, the system achieves reliable monitoring with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If existing monitoring methods are used, then some medication collection data can be obtained, but the information is uncertain as collected medicament does not guarantee patient intake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuncertainty in medication intake informationVSAvoidreliability of medication intake confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automatic feedback to healthcare providers about actual medication administration by continuously monitoring the device state. When the spring expands (indicating medication delivery), the system immediately transmits this information externally, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that eliminates uncertainty about whether patients actually take their medication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 reliable monitoring of medication adherence, reducing patient suffering and healthcare costs by ensuring compliance with prescribed medication schedules.

Implementation Method 1

detect a translation of at least one physical part of the medicament delivery device by utilization of a resilience and an electrical conductivity for at least one spring of the medicament delivery device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

at least one transmission unit configured to provide a wireless transmission of information related to the at least one change of state to an external receiving device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250213794A1Communication Device for Transmitting Information from a Medicament Delivery Device

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 SHL MEDICAL AG

AI summary

A communication device arranged for transmitting information from a medicament delivery device is presented. The communication device includes at least one translation detection arrangement, configured to detect a translation of at least one physical part of the medicament delivery device by utilization of a resilience and an electrical conductivity for at least one spring of the medicament delivery device. The communication device also includes at least one change of state detection unit, configured to detect at least one change of state for the medicament delivery device based on the detected translation. The communication device further includes at least one activation unit, configured to activate the at least one change of state detection unit based on the at least one detected translation. The communication device also includes at least one transmission unit configured to provide a wireless transmission of information related to the at least one change of state to an external receiving device