Reusable Electronic Module for Disposable Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disposable drug delivery devices lack advanced functionalities like dose logging and wireless connectivity, which burden patients with additional steps and require smartphone operation, limiting their applicability, especially in elderly populations.
Innovation Solution
A semi-reusable medicament assembly with a reusable electronic module integrated into a disposable drug delivery device, featuring activation sensors and a wireless transceiver that activates only when the device is removed from packaging and used, allowing for efficient data collection and transmission without requiring patient setup or smartphone operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If disposable drug delivery devices are used, then simplicity and ease of use are improved, but advanced functionalities like dose logging and wireless connectivity are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two segments: a disposable drug delivery component and a reusable electronic module component. The reusable electronic module contains the advanced functionalities (dose logging, wireless connectivity, activation sensors) that can be separated from the disposable device, allowing the disposable portion to remain simple while the reusable portion provides advanced features.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable electronic module is designed to work with multiple disposable drug delivery devices, providing universal functionality across different device types. This allows advanced features to be shared across a family of disposable devices without complicating any single device design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reusable devices with advanced functionalities are used, then dose logging and wireless connectivity are improved, but device complexity and patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the electronic module from the disposable device, the complexity is concentrated in the reusable portion that can be set up once, while the disposable portion remains simple. This segmentation allows advanced functionalities without proportionally increasing the complexity of the disposable device the patient handles.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable electronic module is configured in advance with all necessary settings, sensors, and connectivity capabilities before being attached to a disposable device. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for patients to perform complex setup procedures each time they use a new disposable device.
3Ease of manufacture
If disposable devices are made inexpensive, then economic viability is improved, but advanced functionalities must be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive electronic components are placed in a reusable module that is manufactured once and used multiple times, while the disposable device itself remains inexpensive. This segmentation allows the high-cost components to be amortized over many uses, making the disposable device affordable while still providing access to advanced functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable device is discarded after single use, but the expensive reusable electronic module is recovered and reused with subsequent disposable devices. This recovery and reuse of expensive components significantly reduces the per-use cost while maintaining advanced functionalities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication and tracking system for disposable drug delivery devices and associated assemblies, systems, and methods are disclosed herein.