Wiegand Wire Injection Status Sensing for Start and Hold Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices lack the capability to accurately determine the start, end, and hold times of medicament administration, which is crucial for effective self-administration of treatments like diabetes management.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device incorporating Wiegand wires affixed to movable components of the injection device, which induce voltage pulses in coils as they move relative to magnets, allowing a processor to determine these times and enter an enabled state to process data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor assembly is integrated into the injection needle hub to detect injection status, then the reliability of injection monitoring is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing mechanisms with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is embedded in the plunger, and a magnetic sensor in the hub detects the magnet's position and movement through magnetic field changes, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact sensors and reducing mechanical complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the plunger and the detection system. The magnet on the plunger creates a magnetic field that penetrates through the housing and plunger body, allowing the magnetic sensor to detect plunger position and injection status without direct physical contact, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into the housing to detect plunger position and injection completion, then the measurement precision is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional magnetic sensor assembly that can detect multiple parameters (plunger position, injection completion, injection rate) using a single integrated sensor system. This universal sensor replaces multiple separate sensors, reducing the need for precise placement of multiple components while maintaining high measurement precision through software-based multi-parameter analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors changes in magnetic field parameters (strength, direction, position) as the plunger moves, rather than requiring precise mechanical positioning of multiple sensors. By detecting dynamic parameter changes in the magnetic field, the system achieves high measurement precision with simpler manufacturing requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a magnet is incorporated into the plunger and a magnetic sensor into the hub, then the ease of operation is improved through wireless detection, but the device complexity increases due to magnetic component integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages and direct-contact sensing mechanisms with a magnetic field-based detection system. The magnet embedded in the plunger and the magnetic sensor in the hub enable wireless, contactless detection of plunger position and injection status, improving ease of operation while the modular magnetic component design keeps integration complexity manageable.
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
Enables precise tracking of injection events, reducing user error and enhancing the reliability of self-administered treatments by providing accurate start, end, and hold time data.
Implementation Method 1
a first Weigand wire (224) comprising an inner core and an outer shell, the first Weigand wire having a starting position proximate to the first magnet (402a) and a target position proximate to the second magnet (404a), wherein a magnetization polarity of the inner core of the first Weigand wire (224) is configured to switch as the first Wiegand wire (224) moves to the target position proximate to the second magnet (404a) and this switch is configured to induce a first voltage pulse in a first coil (406a) of a first sensor assembly (304)
Implementation Method 2
the magnetization polarity of the inner core of the first Weigand wire (224) is configured to switch as the first Wiegand wire (224) moves to the target position proximate to the second magnet (404a) and this switch is configured to induce a first voltage pulse in a first coil (406a)
Implementation Method 3
a first magnet (402a) and a second magnet (404a), wherein the first and second magnets are of opposite polarity
Data Source
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AI summary
A drug delivery device (102) comprising: a housing (203); a first magnet (402a) and a second magnet (404a), wherein the first and second magnets are of opposite polarity and wherein the first and second magnets are incorporated into the housing of the drug delivery device; and a first Weigand wire (224) comprising an inner core and an outer shell, the first Weigand wire having a starting position proximate to the first magnet (402a) and a target position proximate to the second magnet (404a), wherein a magnetization polarity of the inner core of the first Weigand wire (224) is configured to switch as the first Wiegand wire (224) moves to the target position proximate to the second magnet (404a) and this switch is configured to induce a first voltage pulse in a first coil (406a) of a first sensor assembly (304).