Injection Pen Stop Wheel Sensing for Dose and Mode Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices lack mechanisms to provide users with clear feedback on their operation mode and dose information, particularly for disposable and reusable pen-type devices, which are essential for effective self-treatment by untrained individuals.
Innovation Solution
An injection device with a stop wheel and movable sleeves, equipped with detectors and a data processing unit, provides feedback on operation mode and dose information through detection of rotational movements, allowing for integration of sensors like magnetic or inductive sensors and MEMS gyroscopes to track dose setting and dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pen-type drug delivery device is designed to be simple and disposable, then ease of operation and manufacturing are improved, but the ability to provide feedback and monitoring information to users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms including acoustic signals (beeps) to indicate dose setting completion, visual displays showing remaining doses and dosing history, and wireless communication capabilities to transmit data to external devices. This resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive feedback information while maintaining the simplicity and disposability of the pen-type device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical feedback mechanisms with electronic and wireless communication systems. Sensors detect dosing parameters, microprocessors process this data, and wireless modules transmit information externally, substituting complex mechanical feedback systems with integrated electronic solutions that maintain device simplicity.
2Loss of information
If detectors and data processing units are added to provide feedback, then information availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into single components. The processor handles sensor data acquisition, dose calculation, display control, and wireless communication coordination. The display system serves both as a visual indicator and a data communication interface, reducing overall device complexity while providing comprehensive feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines detectors, processors, displays, and wireless communication modules into an integrated control unit within the dosing mechanism. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts, simplifies assembly, and maintains the compact pen-type structure while enabling sophisticated feedback and monitoring capabilities.
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
Enables users to accurately monitor and understand the device's operation mode and dose settings, enhancing user experience and ensuring proper medication administration.
Implementation Method 1
integration of sensors like magnetic or inductive sensors
Implementation Method 2
integration of sensors like magnetic or inductive sensors
Implementation Method 3
integration of sensors like magnetic or inductive sensors and MEMS gyroscopes to track dose setting and dispensing
Data Source
AI summary
An injection device comprises a housing with a receptacle for the product, a dosing mechanism for setting a product dosage, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the product, at least one sleeve, which is rotatable relative to the housing in order to eject the set product dosage, and a stop wheel coupled to the at least one sleeve such that the stop wheel is rotatable relative to the housing and the at least one sleeve for setting a product dosage and together with the at least one sleeve relative to the housing in order to eject the set product dosage. The device further comprises a first detector for detecting movement of the stop wheel relative to the housing and/or the at least one sleeve and a data processing unit connected to the first detector reading, storing, processing, transmitting, and/or displaying signals received from the first detector.