Wireless Medicament Pen Tracking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no effective automated way to track and communicate the doses given with an insulin (or other medication delivery) pen, making it difficult for patients to remember if a dose has been administered.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery system comprising a pen with sensors to detect usage and dose size, a processor to record and process dose information, and a wireless transmitter to communicate with a companion device or internet service, enabling dose tracking and remote communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pen-based medicament delivery system is used, then simplicity and ease of operation are improved, but automated tracking and communication of doses is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A companion device serves as an intermediary between the simple pen delivery system and the patient's digital ecosystem. The companion device receives dose information from the pen via wireless communication and stores it in a cloud-based database, enabling automated tracking without complicating the actual medication administration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where dose information flows from the pen to the companion device and cloud database, then back to the patient through mobile applications and to healthcare providers through web portals. This closed-loop feedback enables automated tracking and communication while maintaining the simplicity of the original pen system.
2Reliability
If pill reminders are used, then dose remembering is improved, but no solution exists for pen-based therapies
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal solution that works across multiple medication delivery methods. The cloud-based database and companion device can track doses from various sources including pens, pumps, and traditional pill organizers, making the dose reminder functionality adaptable to different therapy types rather than being limited to pen-based systems alone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If syringes are used for medicament delivery, then dosing flexibility is improved, but more steps and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the dosing flexibility of syringes with automated tracking capabilities by integrating a sensor system into the syringe assembly. The sensor automatically detects when a dose is administered and communicates this information wirelessly to the companion device, combining the versatility of manual dosing with automated record-keeping in a single integrated system.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If pumps are used for medicament delivery, then continuous delivery is improved, but constant tether and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the tracking and communication functionality from the pump itself, placing it in a separate companion device that communicates wirelessly. This separation allows the pump to focus on its primary function of continuous medication delivery while the extracted tracking system provides automated monitoring without requiring constant physical tethers or increasing pump complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system for delivering and recording a dose of a medicament to a patient. Also provided is a method of administering a medicament to a patient. Additionally provided is a method of tracking usage of a medicament by a patient through a pen.