Modular Dose Encoder for Accurate Delivery Pen Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing syringes and pen injection devices lack precision and accuracy in determining the amount of medicament administered, and are often single-use, leading to a need for modular systems that allow for accurate dose measurement and reusability of capital equipment.
Innovation Solution
A dosing module with an outer shell, spline hole plate, encoder wheel, and sensors that removably couple to a delivery pen, measuring the dose administered by detecting the rotation of the encoder wheel and integrating with the pen's drive mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If single-use syringes or pen injection devices are used, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to disposal of functional components
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a disposable delivery pen containing the medicament and needle, and a reusable dosing module containing the encoder wheel, sensors, and control electronics. This segmentation allows the expensive capital equipment (dosing module) to be reused while only the consumable part (delivery pen) is disposed of, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and substance loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing module is extracted from the traditional single-use pen design and made into a separate, reusable component. The encoder wheel and sensing mechanisms are taken out from the disposable portion and placed in a permanent housing that can be used with multiple delivery pens, thereby reducing waste while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If single-use delivery pens are used, then reliability is improved, but loss of time worsens due to frequent replacement of capital equipment
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into reusable and disposable components, the dosing module can remain in continuous use without being replaced with each new delivery pen. This eliminates the time loss associated with replacing capital equipment while maintaining reliability through the disposable nature of the delivery pen components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular dosing module is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing module is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple different delivery pen models and medicament types. The encoder wheel and sensor system can adapt to various pen configurations, providing versatility without requiring complex customization for each specific application.
Solution Approach 2:
The encoder wheel acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the rotational motion of the delivery pen's drive mechanism and the electronic sensing system. This mediator translates mechanical rotation into measurable encoder signals, enabling accurate dose measurement while simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Measurement precision
If encoder wheel with sensors is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder wheel serves as a mechanical intermediary that converts the rotational movement of the drive mechanism into precise angular position information. The sensors detect the encoder's position, providing accurate dose measurement data without requiring complex direct measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical rotation of the encoder wheel is substituted with electronic sensing and digital signal processing. Instead of using complex mechanical measurement mechanisms, the system uses optical or magnetic sensors to detect encoder wheel position, converting mechanical motion into electronic signals for precise dose determination.
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
Enables precise and accurate determination of the administered dose, allowing the dosing module to be reused with multiple pens, improving ergonomics and reducing variability in dose measurement.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sensors positioned within the stem of the outer shell and configured to detect a rotation of the encoder wheel, wherein the encoder wheel is configured to rotate with respect to the one or more sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A dosing module includes an outer shell having a stem and a spline hole plate having a spline hole, where the spline hole plate is positioned within the stem and sized to receive a spline shaft extending from a shaft spring, such that the spline hole plate and the shaft spring rotate together. The dosing module includes an encoder wheel coupled to the spline hole plate and positioned within the stem and sensors positioned within the stem configured to detect rotation of the encoder wheel. The dosing module is removably couplable to a dose knob of a delivery pen, where the stem is received within an internal well of the dose knob. The shaft spring is directly coupled to a component of a drive mechanism of the delivery pen, and the dosing module is configured to measure a size of a dose administered from the delivery pen.