Supplementary Device Optical Coupling for Injection Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices lack a cost-effective and intuitive way to visualize device-specific or medicament-specific information, handle instructions, and provide user feedback, while maintaining a compact and attractive design, especially for disposable devices.
Innovation Solution
A supplementary device with optical couplings that attach to the injection device, providing illumination and feedback without requiring a light source or electric energy source in the device, using a processor to control light sources and sensors to monitor and record injection data, and communicate wirelessly for data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a supplementary device is added to provide monitoring and visualization functions, then user feedback and data monitoring capabilities are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: a simple injection device and a separate supplementary device. The supplementary device contains all electronic components (processor, light sources, sensors, wireless communication), while the injection device remains mechanically simple. This segmentation allows the injection device to maintain low complexity while the supplementary device provides advanced monitoring and visualization functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical couplings serve as intermediaries to transmit light signals from the supplementary device to external indicators. This optical intermediary approach allows data visualization without requiring direct electronic integration between the supplementary device and injection device, maintaining system simplicity while enabling comprehensive monitoring.
2Ease of operation
If a light source is integrated into the injection device for illumination and feedback, then user feedback capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the injection device and placed in the separate supplementary device. This extraction eliminates the need to integrate light sources, power supplies, and control circuits into the injection device, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while still providing illumination and visual feedback functions through the supplementary device.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of integrating a light source into the injection device, the system uses optical couplings to transmit light signals from the supplementary device to external indicators on the injection device. This copying approach provides visual feedback without requiring physical integration of light-generating components into the injection device structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the supplementary device is miniaturized to maintain compact design, then device size is reduced, but visualization capability and user interaction are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The visualization is extended from the supplementary device to the injection device housing through optical couplings and external indicators. By projecting visual information onto the larger surface area of the injection device housing, the system maintains excellent user interaction and visibility while keeping the supplementary device itself compact and portable.
4Loss of information
If electronic components are added to the injection device for data monitoring, then data collection capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
All electronic components for data monitoring (processor, sensors, wireless communication modules) are segregated into the supplementary device, while the injection device maintains its simple mechanical structure. This segmentation enables comprehensive data collection and monitoring capabilities without complicating the injection device design, making it suitable for disposable use while preserving full data monitoring functionality in the reusable supplementary device.
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 cost-effective production of disposable injection devices with enhanced user interaction and feedback, allowing for intuitive operation and comprehensive data monitoring without increasing device size or cost.
Implementation Method 1
The optical coupling is connected to the at least one light source in a light transmissive way
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7
AI summary
In one aspect the present disclosure refers to a supplementary device (50;150) for an injection device (1), the supplementary device comprising: - a body (51; 151) attachable to a housing (2) of the injection device (1), the body (51; 51) having a first portion (68) facing towards the housing (2) when attached to the housing (2), - at least one light source (52) attached to the body (51; 151), and - at least a first optical coupling (54) located in or at the first portion (68), connected to the at least one light source (52) in a light transmissive way and optically connectable to a second optical coupling (14) arranged in or on the housing (2).