Rotation Sensor for Injection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in accurately and reliably measuring the rotation of rotatable components, particularly in mechanically and electronically implemented injection devices, which is crucial for precise dose setting and dispensing, especially for users with impaired vision or dexterity.
Innovation Solution
A rotation sensor system that includes a rotatable element with a ratchet mechanism, equipped with sensors to measure mechanical force, pressure, or strain, and a processor to calculate the angle of rotation, allowing for precise detection and quantification of torque variations across the rotatable element, enabling accurate dose measurement and data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotation sensor system with multiple sensors and a processor is implemented, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation sensor system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a rotatable element with ratchet mechanism for mechanical input, multiple independent sensors (force sensor, pressure sensor, strain sensor) for parallel measurement, and a processor for data integration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to measure various physical quantities (mechanical force, pressure, strain) simultaneously through different sensor types. This universal approach enables the same system architecture to accurately detect rotation through multiple measurement modalities, improving reliability without requiring separate dedicated systems for each measurement type.
2Ease of manufacture
If a compact rotation sensor system is implemented, then ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness are improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor types (force sensor, pressure sensor, strain sensor) and the processor are merged into a single integrated rotation sensor system housed within one compact structure. This consolidation reduces the overall footprint and simplifies manufacturing compared to having separate measurement systems, while the combined data from multiple sensors maintains high measurement precision through cross-validation and data fusion.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to measure mechanical force, pressure, or strain, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives and integrates data from multiple independent sensors (force sensor, pressure sensor, strain sensor). This intermediary component consolidates the measurement data through algorithms that cross-validate and fuse information from different sensor types, achieving high reliability through redundant measurement paths while managing the complexity of multiple sensors through centralized data processing.
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 rotation sensor system provides a compact, cost-effective solution for universally applicable injection devices, ensuring precise and reliable measurement of rotatable components, enhancing user safety and data accuracy in drug delivery processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor attached to the rotatable element and configured to measure at least one of a mechanical force, a mechanical pressure or a mechanical strain at a portion of the rotatable element during a rotation of the rotatable element
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor attached to the rotatable element and configured to measure at least one of a mechanical force, a mechanical pressure or a mechanical strain
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a rotation sensor for an injection device (1), the rotation sensor comprising: - a rotatable element (201) configured for a mechanical engagement with a ratchet mechanism (90; 190), the rotatable element (201) comprising an outer rim (208) and a hub (210) is configured for transmission of a torque between the outer rim (208) and the hub (210), - at least one sensor (220, 222, 224) attached to the rotatable element (201) and configured to measure at least one of a mechanical force, a mechanical pressure or a mechanical strain at a portion of the rotatable element (201) during a rotation of the rotatable element (201), - a processor (112) connected to the at least one sensor (220, 222, 224) and configured to calculate an angle of rotation of the rotatable element on the basis of a sensor output of the at least one sensor (220, 222, 224).