Wearable Drug Delivery Movement Sensing for Position Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable injectors may move or become displaced from their intended position due to patient movement, disrupting drug delivery and potentially causing interruption or mispositioning.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device equipped with sensors, such as accelerometers and contact sensors, to monitor movement and position relative to the patient's body, determining if the device remains properly positioned by comparing sensor data to thresholds, and taking actions like providing notifications or stopping delivery if displacement occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the wearable injector is applied to the patient's skin for continuous drug delivery, then the drug delivery duration is extended, but the risk of displacement and delivery interruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of the injector position and movement immediately upon application, before any displacement can disrupt drug delivery. The sensor detects movement characteristics and the processor compares them against threshold values to predict potential displacement issues before they affect delivery continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors movement through sensors and provides real-time feedback to the processor, which then adjusts delivery parameters or alerts the user when displacement thresholds are approached. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures delivery continuity by responding dynamically to position changes.
2Reliability
If the wearable injector remains stationary on the patient's body, then proper drug delivery is maintained, but patient movement naturally causes displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static position-monitoring approach to a dynamic one that continuously adapts to patient movement. The sensor continuously measures movement characteristics, and the processor dynamically adjusts its monitoring thresholds and delivery parameters to accommodate natural body movements while maintaining proper injector positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the monitoring parameters based on detected movement patterns. When movement characteristics indicate potential displacement, the processor modifies delivery parameters such as flow rate or injection timing to compensate for position changes, maintaining reliable drug delivery despite patient movement.
3Reliability
If movement sensors are added to detect injector displacement, then delivery reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential movement detection function from a complex monitoring system. Instead of using complex image processing or multiple sensors, the invention uses a single movement sensor that detects specific movement characteristics, extracting only the necessary information to determine displacement and trigger appropriate responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical or optical monitoring mechanisms with electronic sensor-based detection. Instead of using mechanical position tracking or optical cameras, the invention uses electronic movement sensors that can detect displacement through electrical signals, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining monitoring accuracy.
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
Ensures accurate and continuous drug delivery by detecting and responding to movements that could dislodge the injector, preventing interruptions and ensuring correct drug administration.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is an acceleration sensor, wherein, when receiving the data from the sensor, the at least one processor is programmed or configured to receive data associated with acceleration of the acceleration sensor from the acceleration sensor
Implementation Method 2
determine an amount of inertial force of acceleration sensor based on the data associated with acceleration of the acceleration sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device that includes a sensor to evaluate movement of the device relative to the body it is attached to and at least one processor in communication with the sensor, where the at least one processor is programmed or configured to receive data associated with the sensor from the sensor, determine a characteristic associated with the sensor based on the data received from the sensor, determine whether the characteristic associated with the sensor satisfies a threshold, and perform an action based on determining that the data received from the sensor satisfies the threshold.