Optical Medicament Monitoring via Piston Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medicament delivery devices lack reliable and accurate methods for monitoring medicament administration, particularly for patients with chronic conditions who need frequent dosage adjustments based on various factors such as food intake, physical activity, and biomarkers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a camera to record and analyze the movement of components within a medicament delivery device, determining the position of components to calculate the amount of medicament expelled, and integrating this data with user input for context-aware dosage adjustments, utilizing statistical algorithms and image processing to ensure accurate and reliable data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection methods are used to monitor medicament administration, then the monitoring can be performed without additional sensors, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to create visual copies (images) of the medicament delivery device components, particularly the piston position and dosage window. These visual copies are then analyzed through image processing to extract precise measurement data about medicament delivery, replacing the need for complex physical sensors while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing systems with an optical system (camera). Instead of using mechanical sensors to detect piston position or dosage delivery, the system uses optical imaging combined with image processing algorithms to extract the same information, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while improving measurement capabilities.
2Reliability
If manual dosage selection and observation methods are used, then the device operation is simple, but the reliability of monitoring medicament administration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic monitoring where the camera and image processing algorithms autonomously track and record medicament delivery without requiring manual intervention. The device self-monitors its own operation by capturing images of the piston movement and dosage window, processing these images to determine actual delivery amounts, and storing this data for review, thereby improving reliability while requiring minimal user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously capturing images of the medicament delivery device, comparing the actual piston position and delivered dosage against the intended dosage, and providing this information for verification. This closed-loop monitoring ensures reliability by allowing comparison between prescribed and actual delivery amounts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent dosage adjustments are made based on patient condition, then the treatment can be optimized, but the risk of errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides accurate feedback on actual medicament delivery by analyzing images of the piston position and dosage window. This reliable feedback mechanism allows patients or providers to confidently adjust dosages based on verified delivery data rather than estimates, reducing errors while maintaining flexibility for frequent adjustments based on patient condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual observation and estimation methods with automated optical measurement and image processing. This substitution provides more reliable and accurate data on actual dosage delivery, reducing human error in monitoring and enabling more confident dosage adjustments while maintaining ease of use.
Data Source
AI summary
A data collection apparatus comprises a camera configured to obtain first and second recordings of at least a portion of a medicament delivery device, said portion including a first component and a second component, the first component being configured to move relative to the second component as medicament is expelled from the medicament delivery device. The data collection apparatus also comprises a processing arrangement configured to determine, from said first and second recordings, positions in the first and second recordings of the first component relative to the second component, and determine an amount of medicament that has been expelled by the medicament delivery device by comparing the position, in the first recording, of the first component relative to the second component with a position, in the second recording, of the first component relative to the second component.