Mobile-Powered Injection Device for Discreet Dose Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injection devices are bulky, heavy, and lack portability, requiring on-board modules for power, computing, and communication, making them unsuitable for discreet medication administration in public and unable to administer doses at specific times or rates, particularly for users with reduced dexterity or strength.
Innovation Solution
A motorized and network-enabled injection device powered and controlled by a mobile device, eliminating the need for on-board power, computing, and communication modules, using the mobile device's power, processing, and communication capabilities to provide a portable, discreet, and intelligent injection system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional motorized injection devices include on-board power, computing, and communication modules, then they can perform motorized injection and network communication, but they become bulky, heavy, and lack portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power, computing, and communication modules from the injection device and places them in a separate mobile device. The injection device retains only the essential injection mechanism, which is actuated by signals from the mobile device. This extraction eliminates the weight and bulk of on-board modules while preserving motorized injection capability through wireless communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a communication device and a control unit for the injection device. By utilizing the mobile device's existing power, computing, and communication capabilities, the system avoids duplicating these functions in the injection device, thereby reducing weight while maintaining full motorized control and network connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional injection devices include on-board communication modules, then they can connect to networks for data communication, but they become bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module is extracted from the injection device and relocated to the mobile device. The injection device achieves network connectivity indirectly through wireless communication with the mobile device, which handles all data transmission and networking functions. This eliminates the need for on-board communication hardware in the injection device, reducing its volume.
3Device complexity
If mechanically driven injection devices are used, then they are simple in structure, but they require dexterity and strength that many users lack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical actuation system with an electric motor system that is controlled wirelessly by the mobile device. The motorized injection mechanism eliminates the need for manual manipulation of mechanical components, making the device operable by users with reduced dexterity or strength while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If injection devices lack intelligent control, then they are simpler to manufacture, but they cannot administer doses at specific times or rates
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent control functions, including dose timing and rate control, are extracted from the injection device and implemented in the mobile device's software. The injection device contains only the basic motorized actuation mechanism, while the mobile device handles all intelligent decision-making, dose calculation, and control algorithms. This division maintains manufacturing simplicity for the injection device while achieving advanced dose control capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
Injection systems powered, controlled and network-enabled by a mobile device, and methods for powering and controlling an injection system using a mobile device, are disclosed. An injection device includes a fluid container having a fluid container exit port, an injection driving element adapted to displace fluid from the fluid container through the fluid container exit port, and a connection module connected to the injection driving element, connectable to a mobile device, and adapted to receive electrical power or injection input data from the mobile device.