NFC Film Authentication in Automatic Injection Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for enhanced safety and efficacy in automatic injection devices for self-administration of therapeutic agents, particularly in ensuring authentication and adherence, with existing devices lacking robust authentication and tamper evidence mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a near-field communication (NFC) assembly within the automatic injection device, featuring a film that is pierced upon activation, which changes its status from unpierced to pierced, and includes a passive electronic circuit for authentication information, allowing for machine-readable verification of the device's authenticity and usage status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication and tamper evidence mechanisms are added to automatic injection devices, then patient safety and medication efficacy are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC circuit is integrated directly into the film structure, merging the authentication function with the tamper-evident barrier. The film serves dual purposes: as a physical barrier that must be pierced for injection and as an authentication medium containing the NFC circuit. This integration reduces overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced safety features.
Solution Approach 2:
The film acts as an intermediary element between the piercing element and the NFC assembly. It provides a controlled interface where the piercing action simultaneously breaches the film and triggers the authentication status change in the NFC circuit, enabling tamper evidence without requiring separate sensing mechanisms.
2Loss of information
If a film is pierced upon activation to indicate usage status, then adherence confirmation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC circuit is pre-configured within the film structure before assembly, with conductive traces and antenna elements positioned to be interrupted by the piercing element's intended path. This preliminary configuration ensures that the authentication status change is automatically triggered by the normal piercing action without requiring additional precision beyond standard manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The film is designed with localized conductive regions and antenna elements positioned specifically at the piercing zone. Only the local area around the piercing point requires precise positioning, while the rest of the film structure can be manufactured with standard tolerances. This localized approach to precision reduces overall manufacturing complexity.
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
This solution provides a secure and reliable method for authenticating the device and confirming its usage, enhancing patient safety and adherence to medication protocols by enabling real-time monitoring and verification of drug delivery through NFC communication.
Implementation Method 1
a near-field communication (NFC) assembly comprising a film disposed proximate the piercing element configured to be pierced by the piercing element upon actuation of the activation button to the actuated position, and an NFC circuit configured to indicate a film status including at least an unpierced film status before the film is pierced and a pierced film status after the film is pierced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A automatic injection device including a housing, a firing mechanism, a near-field communication (NFC) assembly, a syringe, and a plunger. The firing mechanism is disposed within the second end of the housing and includes an activation button moveable relative to the firing body between an initial position and an actuated position. The activation button is configured to deploy the plunger when actuated. The firing mechanism includes a piercing element extending from at least the firing body or the activation button. The NFC assembly includes a film disposed proximate the piercing element and configured to be pierced by the piercing element upon actuation of the activation button. The NFC circuit is configured to indicate a film status including at least an unpierced film status before the film is pierced and a pierced film status after the film is pierced. A method of using the automatic injection device is also disclosed.