Vibration Sensor Dosage Tracking for Pen Injectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulin injection tracking devices lack accurate and user-friendly methods to monitor dosage adjustments and discharge events, often relying on complex interfaces or requiring direct user input, which can lead to errors in tracking and recording injection data.
Innovation Solution
A dosage tracking device for pen injectors that utilizes vibration sensors to detect and differentiate between dosage adjustments (incrementing/decrementing) and discharge events, with a processor adjusting a dosage counter accordingly and displaying the data on a digital display, allowing for simultaneous viewing of the dosage indicator and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex interfaces or direct user input are used for tracking insulin injections, then user control and customization are improved, but tracking accuracy and error reduction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects dosage adjustments and discharge events through vibration sensors without requiring user input. The system self-monitors injection actions by detecting characteristic vibrations from dial rotation and discharge button pressing, eliminating manual tracking while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual user input mechanisms with automated vibration detection. Vibration sensors substitute for user-facing interfaces like buttons or displays that would require direct interaction, detecting injection events through mechanical vibrations instead
2Measurement precision
If automated vibration detection is used to monitor dosage adjustments, then tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration sensor acts as an intermediary between the injection device mechanics and the monitoring system. It translates physical vibrations from dosage adjustment and discharge actions into detectable signals, enabling accurate tracking without complex direct measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex user interfaces and manual input systems with simple vibration detection. The vibration sensor and processing system substitute for complicated user interaction mechanisms, achieving accurate tracking through passive mechanical detection
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to differentiate between dosage adjustments and discharge events, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the vibration sensor to detect vibrations from different locations and orientations corresponding to different injection actions. By analyzing vibration characteristics from specific locations, the system differentiates between dosage adjustment and discharge events using a single sensor
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 provides accurate and user-friendly tracking of insulin injections, reducing errors by automatically recording dosage changes and discharge events, ensuring precise monitoring and recording of injection data without the need for direct user input.
Implementation Method 1
one or more vibration sensors held to the injector by the connector, the one or more vibration sensors producing: a first output in response to rotating the dial to add a unit to a dosage of the injector, a second output in response to rotating the dial to subtract a unit from a dosage of the injector and a third output in response to discharge of the dosage by the injector
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an adjunct device for tracks time and/or dosage of a medicine. The device may include a connector for mounting the device to a deposable pen injector. The device may be configured to allow use of the native controls and injectors of the injector. For example the device may include a view port for viewing a dose indicator of the injector. The device may include one or more vibration sensors. A processor may be configured to differentiate increasing a dose, decreasing a dose and/or discharging the medicine based on the output of the sensors. Optionally a display of the device may be positioned for simultaneous viewing with the dosage indicator of the injector. For example a user may verify the accuracy of the adjunct device before performing a discharge.