Ypsomed Ag

Jonas Rihs

Ursina Streit

Leos Urbanek

Michael Gentz

Bernhard Rytz

Marcel Derungs

Daniel Burgener

Shown is a simple, reliable manner of monitoring a process of expelling a variable dose of medicament from an injection device by analyzing mechanical feedback of the injection device with reduced requirements on signal data memory space and processing power. Specific measurand and mechanical user feedback sensor configurations enable sensor signal data from which individual dosage units of expelled drug are identifiable at moderate sampling rates. Preferred configurations include a force sensor adapted to measure an axial force component as applied to the device by a user pressing a proximal injection button, and a direction sensor adapted to measure an azimuth angle of an orientation of the device. The specific measurands, or process quantities observed, relate to feedback means of the device including a resilient element that produces a number of successive mechanical feedback events proportionate to a dose or quantity of drug expelled from a medicament reservoir.

Monitoring an injection process

The invention is concerned with a simple and reliable manner of monitoring a handling or use of injection devices by means of a reusable electronic module. According to the invention, a displacement of a component of the injection device between an initial position and an intermediate position, and a subsequent displacement of the same component between the intermediate position and a final position essentially identical with the initial position is observed by one and the same sensor comprised in an electronic module separate from the injection device. A status or state of the injection device is then inferred in the electronic module from these two observations by way of digitally processing sensor output information. The invention thus enables secure, easy and cost-effective operation of components, devices and systems for the generation, collection and distribution of data associated with the handling or use of the injection devices.

Electronic module for monitoring injection devices

The invention relates to an electronic add-on module which is fitted releasably onto an automatic injection appliance before the start of injection. The add-on module comprises a force sensor for measuring a time-variable axial force component exerted on or transmitted to the attached add-on module by the injection appliance during an injection procedure. The add-on module also comprises a grip or a preferred grip position for gripping and holding the add-on module and the inserted injection appliance. The add-on module can additionally have a microphone for detection of acoustic signals. A state of the injection appliance can be determined by the add-on module solely on the basis of measurements of the axial force sensor, optionally supplemented by microphone measurements. The invention thus affords a straightforward and cost-effective way of monitoring or controlling the correct performance of an injection procedure carried out with an automatic injection appliance.

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Pieterlen, Switzerland

Jonas Rihs