Smart Injector Plunger Monitoring via Magnetic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mechanical large-volume injectors lack smart features such as injection progression monitoring, wireless communication, and control, leading to uncertainty and potential user error during medication administration.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an injector and a monitor assembly that includes a resistance unit with a soft link, a gear connected to the plunger, and a control unit to monitor and regulate the injection process, providing real-time data on injection progress and allowing for controlled injection rates and pause/resume functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional mechanical large-volume injectors are used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to monitor injection progress and provide data is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkages with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic drive mechanism uses magnetic fields to transmit rotational motion from the drive shaft to the plunger, eliminating the need for rigid mechanical links. This substitution enables the integration of electronic sensors and monitoring systems while maintaining mechanical functionality, thereby reducing information loss about injection progress without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic coupling as an intermediary between the drive mechanism and the plunger. This magnetic intermediary transmits motion without direct mechanical contact, allowing for the insertion of sensors and monitoring components in the pathway. The magnetic coupling serves as a mediator that enables data collection on injection progress while maintaining the mechanical injection function, thus addressing the information loss problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid links are used to regulate injection rate, then the connection is stable, but the positioning and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a magnetic coupling system that provides dynamic adaptability in positioning. The magnetic field can be adjusted to accommodate different positions and orientations of the plunger during injection, allowing the drive mechanism to maintain reliable connection regardless of the plunger's exact position. This dynamic magnetic coupling replaces rigid links with a flexible yet stable magnetic connection, simultaneously achieving positioning adaptability and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system allows for changes in magnetic field strength and orientation parameters to adapt to different positioning requirements. By adjusting these magnetic parameters, the system can maintain stable connection and effective force transmission across various positions, thereby achieving both adaptability and reliability without the limitations of rigid mechanical links.
3Volume of moving object
If rigid links are used to connect plunger, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the device requires more room for operation and becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid mechanical linkages with a magnetic coupling system that transmits force and motion through magnetic fields. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky rigid links while maintaining the necessary structural integrity for plunger control. The magnetic coupling provides sufficient force transmission without requiring the physical space needed for rigid mechanical connections, thereby reducing the overall injector volume while preserving linkage integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rigid link component from the traditional mechanical assembly. By removing this bulky element and replacing it with a magnetic coupling system, the design achieves compactness without sacrificing the functional integrity of the plunger connection. The magnetic field provides the necessary coupling strength without the physical bulk of rigid mechanical links.
Data Source
AI summary
A device that regulates, monitors, and provides data on the progress of a large-volume injector during its injection sequence. The device comprises an injector and a monitor assembly. The injector has a syringe having a plunger, and a biasing device that biases the plunger through the syringe. The monitor assembly comprises a resistance unit configured to resist movement of the plunger, a gear connected to the plunger by the resistance unit, and a control unit configured to monitor the position, and regulate the rotation, of the gear. Wherein linear movement of the plunger causes the gear to rotate so that the control unit generates information on the position of the plunger.