Sensor Assembly for Injection Device Data Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Many injection devices lack a mechanism to capture and transfer data related to drug injection operations, such as movement detection and communication of injection parameters.

Innovation Solution

A sensor assembly for injection devices, comprising a housing with a sensor to detect movement components associated with injection operations and a wireless communication device to transmit this data to a computing device, along with a mechanical interface for attachment to the injection device, enabling the capture and transfer of data like start time, duration, speed, and back pressure profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a sensor assembly is added to an injection device to detect and communicate injection data, then data capture and transmission capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection data captureVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor assembly is nested within a housing that attaches to the exterior of the injection device. The housing contains the sensor, wireless communication device, and battery in a compact integrated structure that attaches to the outer surface of the injection device, adding functionality without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as an intermediary structure that houses the sensor and communication components separately from the main injection device mechanism. This modular approach allows data capture functionality to be added without directly complicating the core injection mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If a sensor and wireless communication device are integrated in a housing attached to the injection device, then data transmission capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection data transmissionVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into separate functional modules: the main injection device, the sensor assembly in its housing, and the wireless communication device. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, then assembled together, improving ease of manufacture overall

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it protects the sensor and communication components, provides a mounting structure for attachment to the injection device, and houses the battery. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230233774A1Sensor Assembly and System

Publication Date: 2023.07.27 BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A sensor assembly for an injection device may include a housing and/or a mechanical interface. The housing may include a sensor and/or a wireless communication device. The sensor may be configured to detect a movement of a component of the injection device associated with an injection operation of the injection device. The wireless communication device may be configured to communicate, to a computing device, information associated with the movement of the component of the injection device. The mechanical interface may be configured to attach the housing to an exterior surface of the injection device. A system may include the sensor assembly and the injection device.