Ypsomed Ag

Tecpharma Licensing Ag

Michael Gentz

Ursina Streit

Leos Urbanek

Jonas Rihs

Thomas Rufer

Stefan Lindegger

Thomas Buri

Markus Oberli

Dominic Frutiger

Bernhard Rytz

Daniel Burgener

Marcel Derungs

A space-saving, autonomous power supply enables a monitoring unit to monitor a minimum number of delivery events of a drug delivery device. The monitoring unit has delivery status sensing means for monitoring a device delivery status, a status indicator with an indicator element such as an LED controllable to indicate delivery or module status to a user, and a power supply supplying power to the status sensing means and status indicator of the monitoring unit. The power supply has a peak current source, in particular a rechargeable battery or accumulator, providing a load current for operating the status sensing means and status indicator of the monitoring unit. The power supply has a recharge circuit with a converter and a charging resistor for providing a limited recharge current to the peak current source, plus a recharge source for repeatedly providing an optimized recharge source current to the recharge circuit.

Power supply for drug delivery systems

Electronic modules for attachment to a drug delivery device include delivery status sensing means () for monitoring a delivery status of the device, a status indicator () with an indicator element controllable to indicate a delivery or module status, and a status indicator controller (), which generates an indicator control signal on behalf of the status indicator element, which in turn produces a status signal. The indicator control signal has an amplitude varying monotonically in time between a minimum value and a maximum value in a first interval of a base cycle, and between the maximum value and the minimum value in a second interval of the base cycle. In at least one of the first and the second interval, the mean value of the indicator control signal is below the average of the maximum and the minimum values of the indicator control signal to realize increased energy savings.

Status indicator for drug delivery systems

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.

Electronic add-on module for injection appliances

Disclosed is a measuring bridge arrangement containing: a measuring bridge comprising at least one first half bridge having a first measuring connection and a second half bridge having a second measuring connection; a reference voltage divider having at least one first and a second test connection; a differential amplifier having at least one first and a second amplifier input and at least one amplifier output, a voltage amplification, and having an output voltage working range. In the arrangement, the first amplifier input is wired to a first capacitor and the second amplifier input is wired to a second capacitor, and the amplifier inputs can be selectively connected to the measuring connections or to the test connections.

Growing community of inventors

Burgdorf, Switzerland

Michael Gentz