Compact Monitoring Device for Medical Injector State Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical injectors require monitoring of storage temperature and time since last use to ensure medicament integrity, but existing solutions are complex and interfere with the applicator's design, lacking a compact and user-friendly approach.
Innovation Solution
A compact monitoring device with an accelerometer, time measuring means, temperature measuring means, processing unit, and user interface, connected to the applicator's control member, operating in sleep and active modes to detect actions and provide temperature and time data, ensuring user alerts for temperature exceedance and low battery status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monitoring functions (temperature, time, action detection) are integrated into the applicator, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (accelerometer for action detection, temperature sensor, time measurement, and user interface) into a single integrated monitoring device that connects to the applicator's control member, consolidating what could have been separate components into one unified system
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects user actions via accelerometer, monitors temperature, tracks time since last use, provides user feedback through display, and manages battery status, making a single component responsible for comprehensive monitoring
2Measurement precision
If monitoring components are added to the applicator, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but the design becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the monitoring functions into distinct modules (accelerometer, temperature sensor, time measurement unit, processing unit) that can be independently selected and integrated, allowing precise measurement capabilities without requiring a completely redesigned complex system
3Measurement precision
If the monitoring device operates continuously in active mode, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of temperature and acceleration data instead of continuous monitoring, with the processing unit evaluating data at intervals to detect actions and assess temperature conditions, reducing energy consumption while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its monitoring intensity based on conditions, operating in different modes (sleep mode vs. active mode) depending on whether actions are detected or temperature thresholds are approached, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and energy usage
4Reliability
If the device provides comprehensive monitoring and alerting functions, then user safety is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a user interface with display that provides feedback to the user about temperature conditions, time since last use, and battery status, allowing users to understand the monitoring data without requiring complex interactions or technical knowledge
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 device effectively monitors storage temperature and time since last use, providing user alerts while maintaining a compact design that does not interfere with the applicator's control assemblies, enhancing user safety and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer; wherein said monitoring device is adapted to operate in a sleep mode and in an active mode, and is further adapted to detect by means of the accelerometer at least a first action and a second action
Implementation Method 2
a temperature measuring means; wherein said monitoring device is adapted to operate in a sleep mode and in an active mode
Implementation Method 3
a time measuring means; the data transferred by the processing unit concerns the time stamps assigned to the detected actions and temperature measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) for monitoring the state of an injection applicator comprising an energy source (10) and the following electronic components: an accelerometer (5), a time measuring means (6), a temperature measuring means (7), a processing unit (8) connected to a system adapted to store, process and transfer data, said system including: the time measuring means (6), the accelerometer (5), the temperature measuring means (7) and a memory (9), a user interface (4) connected to the processing unit (8) for presenting information based on the data transferred by the processing unit (8), said monitoring device (1) being connected to a control member (3) of the applicator, and wherein said monitoring device (1) is adapted to operate in a sleep mode and in an active mode, and is further adapted to detect by means of the accelerometer (5) at least a first action and a second action, the first action being related to taking said monitoring device (1) out of the sleep mode and putting it into the active mode, and the second action being related to the setting and/or the delivering of a dose.