Torque Sensor Add-On for Injection Device Dose Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current injection devices, both manual and auto-injectors, face challenges such as user error in administering correct doses due to mechanical complexity, potential for incomplete doses, and difficulties in adhering to prescribed treatment schedules, particularly for patients with dexterity issues or memory-related challenges.
Innovation Solution
A reusable add-on device that attaches to auto-injectors, enabling dose selection and recording injection history, using mechanical coupling and sensors to ensure accurate dosage delivery and timely administration, with features like torque measurement and electronic processing for deviation alerts and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual injection device uses a button/plunger mechanism, then the user can control the injection process, but the user may deliver an underdose if the plunger is not fully pressed to its end position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor that detects the position of the plunger and provides feedback to the control unit. When the plunger reaches its end position, the sensor generates a signal that prevents further injection, ensuring the correct dose is delivered without requiring the user to manually stop the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical button/plunger system with an electromechanical system that includes sensors and electronic control. This substitution eliminates the reliability issue by using electronic detection rather than relying solely on mechanical positioning and user judgment.
2Reliability
If the button/plunger extension is made greater to ensure full dose delivery, then dose accuracy improves, but it causes trembling/shaking of the hand which increases discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides real-time feedback on plunger position, allowing the system to detect when the correct dose has been delivered. This eliminates the need for excessive button extension, as the injection stops automatically when the sensor detects the end position, reducing hand trembling and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from manual button extension distance to electronic detection of plunger position. This parameter change allows for precise dose delivery without requiring large mechanical movements, thereby reducing hand shaking and discomfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reusable auto-injector allows multiple parenteral drug deliveries, then device versatility improves, but the complexity of tracking dosage selection and administration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tracking of dosage selection with an electronic system that uses sensors to detect plunger position and control unit to manage injection history. This electronic system automatically tracks which doses have been administered, reducing the complexity of manual record-keeping while enabling multiple deliveries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-tracking of dosage selection and administration through its sensor and control unit. The device automatically records injection history and can communicate this information to external devices, eliminating the need for users to manually track and manage multiple doses.
4Reliability
If electronic monitoring and communication features are added to track injection history, then user compliance improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single device: the sensor system tracks plunger position for dose accuracy, the control unit manages injection history, and the communication interface enables data exchange with external devices. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate devices into one unified system, managing complexity while improving compliance.
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 user compliance by ensuring accurate and timely medication administration, reducing errors and improving adherence to treatment schedules through electronic monitoring and communication with external devices.
Implementation Method 1
third means being adapted to mechanically couple the second means to the first means such that a dosage selection made with the second means generates a torque being transferred via the third means to the first means; a sensor configured to output signals indicative of the generated torque
Data Source
AI summary
A supplementary device configured to be attached to a drug delivery device, the supplementary device including: first means being adapted to mechanically couple the supplementary device to a dosage selector of the drug delivery device; second means being adapted to select a dosage to be delivered by the drug delivery device; third means being adapted to mechanically couple the second means to the first means such that a dosage selection made with the second means generates a torque being transferred via the third means to the first means; a sensor configured to output signals indicative of the generated torque; and electronics configured to receive the signals output from the sensor and to determine based on the signals the selected dosage.