Smart Plunger Head Temperature and Dosage Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drug injection devices lack accurate and automated tracking of dosage quantities and timing, often requiring manual recording and suffering from poor power management, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A 'smart' plunger head with integrated sensors and electronics that measures medication quantity using ultrasonic signals and detects force applied, switching between low-power and high-power modes to conserve energy and enable precise tracking and communication, including temperature monitoring and data logging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual measurement and recording methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of dosage tracking deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddosage tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The injection device automatically measures and records dosage quantities and timing without requiring user intervention. The system self-monitors injection parameters, eliminating manual recording while maintaining simplicity for the end user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical recording methods are replaced with electronic sensors and digital tracking systems. The device uses electronic measurement mechanisms to automatically capture dosage data, improving precision while managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If reusable pens with dosage tracking are implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage tracking accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions (injection delivery, dosage measurement, timing recording, and data storage) are merged into a single integrated device. This consolidation improves measurement precision while managing complexity by combining components rather than adding separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The injection device is designed to perform multiple functions: administering medication, measuring dosage, tracking timing, and storing data. This multi-functionality approach improves overall system efficiency and measurement accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If continuous monitoring and data logging are enabled, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage tracking reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs monitoring and data logging at periodic intervals rather than continuously. This approach maintains reliable dosage tracking by capturing key injection events while reducing overall energy consumption by keeping the system in low-power states between measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to activate intensive monitoring only when needed (e.g., during actual injection events). Normal operation uses minimal power, with enhanced monitoring triggered by detected injection parameters, thus maintaining reliability while managing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables accurate and automated tracking of drug administration, extending battery life through power conservation and ensuring medication quality by monitoring storage conditions, while reducing user burden and enhancing device functionality.

Implementation Method 1

A temperature sensor may be disposed in the plunger head and configured to measure the temperature of the fluid in the syringe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A transducer may be coupled to a microcontroller to emit ultrasonic signals into the fluid in the syringe and calculate a quantity of the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave propagation: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS11883568B2Temperature measurement via fluid injection device with plurality of operative modes

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 VERILY HEALTH INC

AI summary

A plunger head for a fluid injection device includes a transducer disposed in the plunger head to measure a compressive force when applied to the plunger head. The plunger head also includes a power source and a microcontroller disposed in the plunger head. The microcontroller is coupled to the power source and the transducer, and the microcontroller is coupled to enter a high-power mode in response to sensing application of the compressive force to the plunger head.