NFC Syringe with Capacitance Plunger Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for digital medication adherence management, such as self-reporting and barcode scanning, are time-consuming and costly, especially for low-cost devices like prefilled syringes, and lack real-time confirmation of device status, leading to inefficiencies in tracking medication use and adherence.

Innovation Solution

A syringe design incorporating a microcontroller and NFC antenna that measures capacitance changes between probes to detect injection completion, allowing for real-time communication of the syringe's state to external devices without the need for a built-in power source, enabling affordable and reliable connectivity across various injection systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery-powered Bluetooth technology is used for active communication, then real-time device status communication is achieved, but device cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice status communicationVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power source (battery) from the syringe device, eliminating the need for expensive battery-powered Bluetooth modules. Instead, the syringe uses passive NFC tags that can be read by an external smartphone, achieving communication functionality without the costly battery and active electronics in the syringe itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the smartphone - that acts as a mediator between the passive NFC tag in the syringe and the cloud/server. The smartphone's existing battery and processing power are leveraged to handle active communication, while the syringe remains a simple, low-cost passive device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If passive NFC technology is used, then device cost is reduced, but real-time state communication capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice costVSAvoiddevice state information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming the passive NFC tag with instructions to change its stored data based on detected plunger position. The tag is configured in advance to store different adherence states (e.g., 'dose administered', 'dose remaining') that correspond to specific plunger positions, enabling state communication without active electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the NFC tag continuously update its state based on plunger position detection. Each time the plunger reaches a predetermined position, the tag automatically updates its stored information, providing real-time feedback on medication adherence status to the user's smartphone when scanned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If self-reporting and barcode scanning are used, then device complexity is minimized, but adherence tracking accuracy and timeliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidadherence tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the syringe device to automatically detect and report its own usage status without requiring patient intervention. The plunger position detection system automatically determines whether a dose has been administered, and the NFC tag automatically updates its state, eliminating the need for manual patient reporting while ensuring accurate adherence tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 cost-effective means to accurately track medication use and adherence, reducing healthcare costs and improving adherence rates by enabling real-time monitoring of syringe status without the need for batteries or additional power sources, making it suitable for low-cost devices like prefilled syringes.

Implementation Method 1

The microcontroller can be disposed on the barrel and in electrical communication with the first and second probes, with the microcontroller being configured to measure a capacitance between the first and second probes. The measured capacitance has a first capacitance value when the first section of the plunger shaft is between the first and second probes and a second capacitance value different from the first capacitance value when the second section of the plunger shaft is between the first and second probes.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20250099687A1Smart syringe using NFC communication and capacitance detection

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES INC

AI summary

A syringe system with NFC technology to detect and report state changes is described. The syringe system includes a plunger with sections of different materials, a barrel, and an inlay containing an NFC antenna and a microcontroller. The microcontroller measures capacitance changes between probes on the barrel, indicating plunger movement and position. The syringe system communicates real-time injection status to external devices, ensuring accurate medication administration. The flexible inlay can be over-molded or adhered to the syringe, adapting to various devices, including auto-injectors and manual self-injection systems. The technology supports real-time monitoring and accurate drug dosing.