Wireless Drug Delivery Device Verification via Proximity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of drug delivery devices face challenges in ensuring the correct device is used for medication administration, particularly in environments where multiple similar devices are present, and there is a risk of unauthorized use or incorrect medicament application due to lack of verification of device compatibility and proximity.

Innovation Solution

A user equipment with an electronic control unit and wireless communication unit that determines characteristics of a drug delivery device, such as proximity and compatibility, to unlock usability functions only when the correct device is identified, ensuring safe and proper use by authorizing the user through proximity and compatibility checks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If device complexity is increased to add verification functions, then user safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a separate user equipment (smartphone, tablet, or wearable device) as an intermediary to perform verification functions. This external device communicates wirelessly with the drug delivery device to determine characteristics such as proximity, compatibility, and authorization status, thereby enhancing user safety without significantly complicating the drug delivery device itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification system leverages the multi-functionality of common user equipment devices that users already possess. These devices can serve multiple purposes including verification, communication, and data storage, eliminating the need for dedicated verification hardware and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If verification functions are added to ensure correct device use, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The verification process operates automatically through wireless communication between the user equipment and the drug delivery device. The system self-verify characteristics such as proximity, compatibility, and authorization status without requiring manual intervention from the user, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The verification functions are executed automatically in the background before the dosing operation commences. By performing proximity detection, compatibility verification, and authorization checks preliminarily, the system ensures reliability without adding steps to the user's操作流程, as the verification occurs seamlessly before the user needs to administer the dose

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication and verification systems are integrated, then functionality is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication and verification functions are activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The user equipment communicates with the drug delivery device at specific moments such as when the device is brought into proximity, when a dosing operation is initiated, or when verification is required, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining enhanced functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces potential high-power mechanical or contact-based verification systems with wireless communication technologies. By using wireless signals for proximity detection, compatibility verification, and data exchange, the system achieves enhanced functionality with lower energy consumption compared to mechanical alternatives that would require physical contact and higher power actuators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250018124A1User equipment, electronic system, drug delivery device, method, machine-readable code, data storage medium, and set

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 SANOFI SA(FR)

AI summary

A user equipment is proposed comprising an electronic control unit (42) and a wireless communication unit (44) operatively connected to the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit (42) being configured to control operation of the wireless communication unit (44), the wireless communication unit being operable to determine at least one characteristic associated with at least one component of a drug delivery device (10). Furthermore, an electronic system, a drug delivery device, a method, a machine-readable code, a data storage medium, and a set are provided.