Temperature-Sensing Liquid Measurement for Injection Dose Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chronic disease patients, particularly those with Type I or II diabetes, face challenges in accurately logging medication doses due to tedious manual recording processes, leading to incomplete dosage records and increased healthcare costs, while temperature fluctuations affect medication efficacy and safety.

Innovation Solution

A dose measurement system integrated with a drug delivery device, such as an injection pen, that includes a temperature sensor to measure liquid volume and temperature, using electromagnetic radiation and sensors to provide accurate dose tracking and temperature monitoring, with a processing unit for normalization and communication capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual logging of dose information is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of dosage records deteriorate due to human error and forgetfulness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogging systemVSAvoiddosage record accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The injection pen automatically logs dose information without requiring manual intervention from the patient. The system self-monitors injection events, volume delivered, and temperature conditions, eliminating human error in record-keeping while maintaining simple device operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual writing/recording actions are replaced with electronic sensing and data processing. Optical sensors, temperature sensors, and microprocessors automatically capture and store dosage information, transforming a manual mechanical process into an automated electronic system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If temperature monitoring is added to the injection pen, then reliability of medication efficacy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication efficacyVSAvoidsensor system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor serves multiple functions: monitoring medication storage conditions, verifying proper injection temperature, and providing data for dose accuracy compensation. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by delivering multiple benefits from a single sensor addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors temperature as a critical parameter that affects medication stability and injection comfort. By tracking this physical parameter, the system ensures medication remains within effective temperature ranges, directly improving reliability of treatment outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If optical sensors and processing units are integrated, then measurement precision of liquid volume is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid volumeVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensors, light sources, and processing components are nested within the existing injection pen structure. The measurement system is integrated into the barrel and cap assemblies, utilizing available spaces rather than requiring separate external housings, thereby simplifying manufacturing integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances patient self-management by providing real-time dose tracking, temperature monitoring, and compliance monitoring, reducing healthcare costs by improving adherence to medication schedules and ensuring medication safety and efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the liquid disposed in the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of light sources which are disposed and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation emission:

Implementation Method 3

A plurality of sensors are optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources and are disposed and configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least a portion of the light sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12362047B2Liquid measurement systems, apparatus, and methods optimized with temperature sensing

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 BIGFOOT BIOMEDICAL INC

AI summary

An apparatus for measuring liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources for emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) toward the container, a plurality of sensors optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources, each sensor of the plurality of sensors for detecting the EMR emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources, a temperature sensor for measuring at least one temperature associated with a liquid in the container, and at least one processor for receiving data representative of the portion of the detected EMR from each of the plurality of sensors, comparing the at least one measured temperature to a temperature guideline to identify any temperature events associated with the received data; normalizing the received data based on any temperature events associated with the received data; and converting the normalized data into a signature representative of the EMR detected by the plurality of sensors.