Medication Delivery Device Syringe Sensing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication delivery devices, particularly automatic injection apparatuses, face challenges in determining their operational status, which can complicate self-medication processes and require improvements for better user convenience and safety.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sensing system within the medication delivery device, which includes sensors such as accelerometers and optical sensors, allows for the detection and display of operational status steps to the user, ensuring proper medication delivery and retraction processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a sensing system with multiple sensors is integrated into the medication delivery device, then the ability to detect and communicate operational status is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (accelerometer, optical sensor, magnetic sensor) into a single integrated sensing system that communicates through a unified interface. The controller integrates signals from all sensors to determine operational status, merging multiple detection functions into one coordinated system that reduces overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system is designed to perform multiple functions using a common architecture: the same sensor array and controller framework detect syringe position, monitor plunger movement, track needle retraction, and identify malfunction conditions. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate detection systems for each operational parameter, reducing device complexity while preventing information loss.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are integrated into the medication delivery device, then user convenience and safety are improved through real-time feedback, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system components are pre-positioned and calibrated during device assembly. The accelerometer, optical sensor, and magnetic sensor are installed in predetermined locations with pre-configured orientations, and the controller is pre-programmed with the operational thresholds and detection algorithms. This preliminary configuration simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex field calibration steps while enabling real-time feedback that improves user convenience and safety.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect operational status, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously receives signals from the accelerometer, optical sensor, and magnetic sensor, processes these inputs against predetermined thresholds, and provides real-time feedback on operational status. This feedback mechanism uses multiple sensor inputs to cross-validate measurements, improving detection precision through redundant verification while managing complexity through a unified decision-making algorithm that determines syringe position, plunger movement, and malfunction conditions.
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
The sensing system effectively communicates the operational status of the device to the user, enhancing convenience and safety by ensuring proper medication delivery and retraction, and allowing for the recording and communication of drug delivery events or malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor is an accelerometer
Implementation Method 2
The second sensor is an optical sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A medication delivery device including a drive mechanism, a retraction mechanism and a sensing system. A medication container is movable relative to the medication delivery device between storage and delivery positions. The drive mechanism drives a plunger in a translational movement to move the medication container from the storage position to the delivery position and to dispense medication from the medication container in a dispensing event. The retraction mechanism includes a rotary member that rotates during a retraction movement of the retracting mechanism. The sensing system includes a first sensor to detect operational status and a second sensor to sense rotational movement of the rotary member. A controller is configured to detect initiation of a dispensing event based on signals generated by the first sensor and detect completion of the dispensing event and/or completion of the retraction movement based on signals generated by the second sensor.