Smart Medication Delivery Device with Flow Sensor and Wireless Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medication delivery devices, such as medication pens, often suffer from inefficiencies and inaccuracies due to misuse or malfunction, lacking real-time feedback on delivered doses and adherence to prescribed regimens.
Innovation Solution
A medication delivery device equipped with sensors to monitor medication flow, a processing unit for data analysis, and wireless communication capabilities to transmit data to external devices, enabling real-time monitoring and confirmation of dose delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medication delivery devices are designed for safety and sterility with basic functionality, then device reliability is improved, but device complexity and information capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by equipping the medication delivery device with sensors that detect medication flow and delivery status, then transmit this information wirelessly to external devices. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring of delivery accuracy without requiring complex manual verification systems, thus improving reliability while keeping the device architecture manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary external device (such as a smartphone or computer) that mediates between the simple medication delivery device and the user. The sensor data is transmitted to this intermediary, which then processes and presents the information to the user, allowing the delivery device itself to remain relatively simple while gaining enhanced information capabilities through the intermediary.
2Loss of information
If medication delivery devices include sensors and wireless communication capabilities, then information capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a multi-functional external device that can serve multiple purposes: receiving sensor data, processing information, displaying delivery status, and potentially controlling the medication delivery device. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single universal component rather than requiring separate specialized components for each function, thereby improving information capability while managing manufacturing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If real-time sensor data transmission is implemented, then delivery monitoring accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by transmitting sensor data at specific intervals or at key delivery milestones rather than continuously. The processor determines when data transmission is necessary based on delivery progress, ensuring accurate monitoring while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from constant wireless communication.
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
Ensures accurate and reliable medication delivery by providing real-time data on flow rates and total doses, reducing user errors and ensuring adherence to prescribed regimens.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to sense flow of medication from a medication delivery device (MDD) to patient
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is at least one of a flow sensor, a thermal flow sensor, a pressure sensor, and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensor
Implementation Method 3
a wireless communication circuit configured to transmit the sensor data from the MDD to an external device on a wireless link
Data Source
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Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A medication delivery device (MDD) (e.g., injection pen, wearable pump) is paired with an external device (e.g., smart phone, iPad, computer) via wireless link or wireline connection. The MDD provides to the external device captured data from the flow sensor relating to medicine delivery to a patient to ensure complete delivery and minimize MDD misuse or malfunction or inaccuracies in dosing. The MDD can have BluetoothTM and/or near field communication (NFC) communication circuits for proximity-based pairing and connectivity with the external device for real-time or deferred transfer of captured data to the external device, depending on memory and power availability at the MDD. The MDD or external device can use captured data and corresponding time stamps to determine flow infomatics such as flow rate, total dose delivered, and dose completion status. An LED on the MDD indicates states such as powered on, paired, delivery in progress and delivery completion.