Reusable Medication Accessory with Adaptive Attachment Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medication delivery devices lack efficient mechanisms for detecting reversible attachment to reusable accessories, which is crucial for ensuring proper connection and preventing misuse.

Innovation Solution

A reusable accessory system equipped with adaptive elements and attachment sensors, which reversibly attach to medication delivery devices and detect the attachment status, ensuring proper connection and user feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If attachment sensors are added to detect reversible attachment, then reliability of connection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with attachment sensors that detect reversible attachment through electrical or optical signals. The sensor system monitors attachment status and provides feedback to the control circuit, eliminating the need for complex mechanical interlocks or manual verification mechanisms while improving connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where attachment sensors continuously monitor the connection status between the medication delivery device and reusable accessory, and the control circuit receives signals based on this feedback. This feedback loop ensures reliable attachment detection and can trigger alerts or prevent operation if attachment is improper, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex mechanical verification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adaptive elements are provided for different geometries, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal reusable accessory design with a single housing that can accommodate multiple types of adaptive elements, each configured for different medication delivery device geometries. The control circuit and attachment sensors remain common across all configurations, allowing one reusable accessory to serve multiple functions with different device types without requiring separate complete systems for each geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the adaptive interface into separate modular adaptive elements that can be independently selected and coupled to the reusable accessory housing. Each adaptive element is designed for specific geometry compatibility, allowing users to segment and combine components as needed while maintaining a common core structure that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If attachment sensors monitor reversible attachment, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive complex mechanical safety mechanisms with cost-effective attachment sensors that use electrical or optical detection principles. These sensors can be integrated directly into the reusable accessory housing and work with simple control circuits, reducing manufacturing costs compared to mechanical interlocks, microprocessors, or multiple sensors while maintaining safety through reliable attachment monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250050038A1Adaptable reuseable accessory, detecting reversible attachment of medication delivery device therein, and kit thereof

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 BIGFOOT BIOMEDICAL INC

AI summary

A reusable accessory for a medication delivery device includes a housing, an adaptive element coupled to the housing and configured to reversibly attach to a medication delivery device received in the housing, and one or more attachment sensors configured to detect the adaptive element reversibly attaching to the medication delivery device. A method for detecting a medication delivery device in a reusable accessory includes determining, based on sensing data from one or more attachment sensors, whether the medication delivery device is reversibly attached, via an adaptable element, to a housing of the reusable accessory, and presenting, via at least one user interface, a status of the medication delivery device. A reusable accessory adaption kit comprises a first reusable accessory, a first adaptive element configured for reversibly attaching a first medication delivery device, and a second adaptive element configured for reversibly attaching a second medication delivery device.