Vertical PCB Mounting for Electronic Injector Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic patch injectors with PCBs oriented parallel to the skin surface face issues such as unnecessary space occupation, difficulty in sensing needle movement, and increased device footprint, making them less accurate and more conspicuous.
Innovation Solution
Mounting the PCB vertically perpendicular to the skin contact surface, incorporating optical position sensors, and using a processor to determine needle or needle shield position based on transverse projection changes, which reduces device size and allows for more flexible component placement and easier recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the PCB is oriented parallel to the skin contact surface, then the device footprint is minimized in the planar dimension, but the device occupies unnecessary space and increases overall footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by rotating the PCB from a parallel orientation to a vertical orientation relative to the skin contact surface. This repositions the PCB in the vertical dimension, reducing its projection area on the skin contact plane while maintaining its functional area, thereby resolving the contradiction between minimizing planar footprint and reducing overall device volume.
2Device complexity
If the optical position sensor is positioned directly beneath a reflective arm and emits light beam vertically, then the sensor configuration is simple, but the accuracy of needle position detection is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by changing the orientation of the optical position sensor from vertical (perpendicular to PCB) to horizontal (parallel to PCB surface). This inverts the detection geometry, allowing the sensor to detect transverse projection changes of the reflective arm as it moves, thereby significantly improving position detection accuracy while maintaining reasonable configuration simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If the PCB is mounted vertically perpendicular to the skin contact surface, then the accuracy of needle position detection is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dimensionality change by mounting the PCB vertically rather than horizontally. This reorientation allows the optical sensor to be positioned on the PCB edge, detecting the transverse projection of the reflective arm in a different spatial plane, thereby improving detection accuracy while the increased complexity is offset by the streamlined overall device architecture.
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
This configuration enhances the accuracy of needle position detection, minimizes device size, and provides flexibility in design layout while allowing for easier component removal and recycling, making the device more inconspicuous and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical detector having a generally planar detection surface and configured to detect movement of the at least one member based on a change in a transverse projection of the at least one member onto the detection surface
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic injector including a needle insertion assembly configured to move a needle in an insertion direction from a first needle position where the needle is above the surface of a patient's skin to a second needle position where the needle pierces the patient's skin. The injector further includes a member mechanically coupled to the needle and configured to move when the needle. The injector further includes an optical detector having a generally planar detection surface and configured to detect movement of the member based on a change in a transverse projection of the member onto the detection surface and output a signal based on the change in the transverse projection. Additional, a processor is configured to determine the position of the needle based on the output signal, and the transverse projection of the member changes when the needle moves.