Optical Bung Displacement Detection for Autoinjector Dose Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medicament delivery devices lack advanced safety features and accurate dose delivery mechanisms, often resulting in incomplete or inconsistent dosing due to limited feedback and safety controls, particularly in autoinjectors.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device featuring a cartridge with a light element embedded in the bung, coupled to a power source, and optical receivers that calculate displacement to determine medicament delivery and needle position, enabling precise dose computation and feedback mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional autoinjectors are used to deliver medicament, then the injection process is automated, but safety features and compliance features are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple feedback mechanisms including optical detection systems that monitor bung position, audible feedback signals to confirm injection status, and electronic sensors that detect needle attachment. These feedback systems provide real-time information about injection progress and completion, enabling the device to respond appropriately and ensure safe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical injection systems with a hybrid system incorporating optical sensors, electronic controllers, and radio frequency identification. The optical detection system uses light sources and photodetectors to monitor bung position, eliminating the need for complex mechanical position sensors and improving reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional delivery devices deliver the entire contents of a syringe/cartridge, then simplicity is maintained, but accurate dose delivery is compromised due to residual amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system continuously monitors the position of the bung relative to the cartridge, providing feedback that enables precise determination of medicament volume delivered. This allows the device to account for residual amounts and ensure accurate dosing even when delivering nearly the entire cartridge contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical measurement systems instead of mechanical volume measurement to determine medicament delivery. Light sources and photodetectors detect the position of the bung and calculate the volume of medicament delivered, providing precise measurement without complex mechanical gauging mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If conventional delivery devices provide predetermined doses, then dosing control is simplified, but over- or under-dosing may occur due to limited feedback mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms including optical sensors that monitor bung position, electronic controllers that track injection progress, and audible signals that confirm dose completion. These systems provide real-time verification that the predetermined dose is being delivered accurately, preventing over- or under-dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary verification of needle attachment and cartridge installation before initiating the injection. The system checks that all components are properly positioned and secured, and only then activates the injection mechanism, ensuring that the predetermined dose will be delivered accurately to the intended target.
4Measurement precision
If light elements are embedded in the bung for optical detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light sources and photodetectors as intermediary elements to detect bung position indirectly. Rather than embedding complex sensors in the bung, the system uses optical fields that interact with the bung's position, providing precise measurement through simple optical components that can be easily integrated into the cartridge structure.
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 solution provides accurate dose delivery and enhanced safety features by calculating medicament displacement and needle position, ensuring complete dosing and activating safety mechanisms, thereby improving user safety and compliance.
Implementation Method 1
a light element coupled to a component of the cartridge... a power source inductively or radio frequency coupled to the light element
Implementation Method 2
a first receiver adapted to receive an optical signal from the light element and convert the optical signal into a first electrical signal, and a second receiver adapted to receive an optical signal from the light element and convert the optical signal into a second electrical signal
Implementation Method 3
a power source inductively or radio frequency coupled to the light element
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a cartridge (200) comprising a body (205) adapted to contain a medicament, a bung (210) slidably disposed in the body (205) and having a distal face (215) and a proximal face (220), and a light element (225) coupled to a component of the cartridge (200) whereby a power source is electrically, inductively or radio frequency coupled to the light element (225). Further described is a medicament delivery device (100) comprising the cartridge (200), a first receiver (110) adapted to receive an optical signal from the light element (225) and convert the optical signal into a first electrical signal, and a second receiver (115) adapted to receive an optical signal from the light element (225) and convert the optical signal into a second electrical signal.