Optical Sensor Accessory for Injection Device Dose Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection devices often inaccurately measure the dose of medicament delivered due to discrepancies between the intended dose set and the actual dose dispensed, caused by flexing of device components and variations in component sizes and shapes, leading to user concerns about under or over-administration.

Innovation Solution

An accessory with an optical sensor arrangement is attached to the injection device to monitor the displacement of the dose dispensing mechanism's part, allowing for accurate measurement of the delivered dose by comparing pre- and post-injection images, thereby eliminating reliance on the medicament cartridge stopper's displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the dose is measured by monitoring the displacement of the stopper in the medicament cartridge, then the measurement is simpler to implement, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to flexing of device components and variations in component sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implementationVSAvoiddose measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical sensor arrangement as an intermediary measurement element that indirectly measures the dose by detecting the position of a component in the dose dispensing mechanism rather than directly measuring the stopper displacement. This intermediary measurement approach allows accurate dose detection while avoiding the flexing and tolerance issues associated with direct stopper measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement approach (directly measuring stopper displacement) with an optical measurement system. The optical sensor arrangement uses light to detect the position of a component in the dose dispensing mechanism, substituting mechanical contact and measurement with optical detection to eliminate errors from mechanical flexing and component variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the accessory optically monitors the displacement of a part of the dose dispensing mechanism, then the measurement precision improves by directly measuring the drive mechanism displacement, but the device complexity increases due to the optical sensor arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedose measurement accuracyVSAvoidaccessory structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical copying principles where the optical sensor arrangement captures visual information about the position of a component in the dose dispensing mechanism. Instead of complex mechanical linkages to transfer motion, the system creates an optical copy or image of the component's position and processes this information to determine the delivered dose, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If the optical sensor arrangement views the dose dispensing mechanism part through a window, then the ease of operation improves by allowing external monitoring, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal monitoring capabilityVSAvoidwindow and sensor alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the window and optical sensor arrangement to serve multiple functions: it allows optical monitoring of the dose dispensing mechanism while also providing a user interface element and maintaining structural integrity. This multi-functional design reduces the need for extremely tight alignment tolerances, as the window serves both optical and structural purposes, thereby easing manufacturing requirements while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 accurate electronic recording of the administered dose, reducing user concerns and ensuring precise dosing management, as it directly measures the displacement of the dose dispensing mechanism's part, thus aligning with the intended dose setting.

Implementation Method 1

the accessory optically monitors the displacement of a part of the injection device's dose dispensing mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20220241512A1Apparatus for Detecting a Dose of Medicament Delivered from an Injection Device

Publication Date: 2022.08.04 SANOFI SYNTHELABO INC

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus for detecting a dose delivered from an injection device having a dose setting mechanism that allows different dosages to be delivered. The accessory has an attachment portion configured to attach the accessory to the injection device, and a body that houses an optical sensor arrangement of the injection device includes a cartridge assembly and a housing, the housing contains a dose dispensing mechanism and a dose setting mechanism, the dose dispensing mechanism includes a part that moves in response to movement of the dose setting mechanism and indicates a dose dialed by the dose setting mechanism. The housing further includes a window aligned with the part of the dose dispensing mechanism to allow the optical sensor arrangement to detect a location of the part that moves in response to movement of the dose setting mechanism to determine the dose dialed by the dose setting mechanism.