Tubular Rotator Sensor Feedback for Medicament Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medicament delivery devices lack effective feedback mechanisms to indicate the completion of medicament administration, particularly for users with impaired vision, and do not provide reliable signals after the device is removed from the injection site, risking unintended reuse or incomplete administration.

Innovation Solution

A medicament delivery device incorporating a tubular rotator with a guide structure and profiled distal edge periphery that converts linear motion into rotational motion to actuate a sensor arrangement, providing visual, tactile, or audio feedback on the stages of medicament administration, including commencement, completion, and final state, even after the device is removed from the injection site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a window is provided for visual inspection of the drug cartridge, then users can determine the current state of medicament delivery, but users with impaired vision cannot use this method

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation on medicament delivery stateVSAvoidaccessibility to users with impaired vision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor arrangement acts as an intermediary between the medicament delivery system and the user. The sensor detects the rotational position of the tubular rotator and generates appropriate output signals (visual, tactile, or auditory) that convey the current state of medicament delivery, making the information accessible to all users regardless of visual capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely visual/mechanical inspection method with an electronic sensing system. The sensor arrangement electronically detects the rotational position and converts it into multiple types of output signals, substituting the need for direct visual inspection through a window with an automated detection and communication system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If no feedback mechanism is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but users cannot determine whether medicament administration is complete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure of feedback mechanismVSAvoidinformation on completion of medicament administration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrangement provides feedback about the rotational position of the tubular rotator, which corresponds to the current state of medicament delivery. This feedback mechanism informs users whether medicament administration is complete through multiple sensory channels, ensuring safe handling and preventing unintended reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor arrangement serves as an intermediary that detects the mechanical state of the system and communicates it to the user in an accessible format, bridging the gap between the internal mechanical operations and user awareness of the delivery state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If manual tactile inspection of the tubular activation member is used, then users can determine device state, but there is risk of unintended drug administration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation on device stateVSAvoidrisk of unintended drug administration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrangement provides reliable feedback about the true state of the medicament delivery system, independent of manual inspection. This eliminates the risk of misinterpretation that could lead to unintended administration, as the sensor objectively detects the rotational position and communicates the actual delivery state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual tactile inspection with an electronic sensing system that objectively detects the rotational position. This substitution eliminates human error and misinterpretation, providing reliable information about the device state and preventing unintended drug administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The device effectively indicates the completion of medicament administration to users, ensuring safe handling and preventing unintended reuse by providing clear feedback through visual, tactile, or audio signals, regardless of the user's ability to visually inspect the device.

Implementation Method 1

a guide structure arranged to convert linear motion of the medicament delivery member cover to rotational motion of the tubular rotator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a profiled distal edge periphery arranged to interact with the sensor arrangement for actuating the sensor arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor actuation:

Data Source

PatentEP3393551B1Tubular rotator for a medicament delivery device and a medicament delivery device comprising the same

Publication Date: 2021.06.23 SHL MEDICAL AG

Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3a
Figure 3b~3c

AI summary

The present disclosure relates toatubular rotator (15) for a medicament delivery device comprising a medicament delivery member cover and a sensor arrangement, wherein the tubular rotator (15) comprises: a guide structure (16) arranged to convert linear motion of the medicament delivery member cover to rotational motion of the tubular rotator (15), anda profiled distal edge periphery (15b) arranged to interact with the sensor arrangement for actuating the sensor arrangement.There is also provided a medicament delivery device comprising such a tubular rotator.