DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AN ACTUATION ACTION PERFORMABLE WITH A MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20140005950A1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Published: 01/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Groeschke, Jasmin, Juhnke, Hanno, Spengler, Jan-Peter, Scharf, Matthias, Schrack, Michael, Zeckai, Olaf, Dette, Christoph
• Granted Patent: US 10,446,269 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3126 Specific display means related to dosing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3142 Modular constructions, e.g. supplied in separate pieces to be assembled by end-user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3135 characterised by constructional features of the proximal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31525 Dosing burettes, pipettes B01L3/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31533 Dosing mechanisms, i.e. setting a dose administrating mechanisms A61M5/31565
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed, comprising a detector unit comprising a detector configured to detect an actuation action performable via the detector unit to an actuation button of a medical device to cause the medical device to eject at least a portion of a medicament comprised in the medical device. The detector is configured to detect the actuation action based on a detection of a force and/or a touch applied to the detector unit as part of the actuation action. The apparatus further comprises an electric unit connected to the detector and configured to store and/or provide information related to the detected actuation action. Furthermore, an according method and a computer program for controlling this method are disclosed.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a detector unit comprising a detector configured to detect an actuation action performable via said detector unit to an actuation button of a medical device to cause said medical device to eject at least a portion of a medicament comprised in said medical device, wherein said detector is configured to detect said actuation action based on a detection of a force and/or a touch applied to said detector unit as part of said actuation action, wherein said detector unit is placeable on top of said actuation button or forms an upper part of said actuation button itself and

an electric unit connected to said detector and configured to store and/or provide information related to said detected actuation action.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said force acts on said detector directly or via a part of said detector unit, or is detected by said detector because said detector is responsive to a movement and/or a deformation of at least a part of said detector unit caused by said force.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, comprising an attachment unit for fixedly or releasably attaching said apparatus to said medical device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said attachment unit is adapted to fit on an outer circumference of at least a portion of said medical device, in particular on at least a portion of said actuation button.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a housing of said detector unit is coupled to or integrally formed with said attachment unit, the housing having in particular a cylindrical or conical form, wherein a lower part of the housing forms the attachment unit and an upper part of the housing forms at least a part of the detector unit.

21. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said detector is one of an electric switch, a piezoelectric sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor and a touch sensor.

22. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said information related to said detected actuation action is information related to an instant of time at which said actuation action is detected.

23. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said information related to said detected actuation action is a representation of a time instant at which said actuation action is detected, or a representation of a time duration that has passed since said actuation action was detected, or an information that a pre-defined time duration since said actuation action was detected has already passed or not.

24. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said electric unit is configured to determine a length of a time interval during which said actuation action is applied, and to store and/or provide information related to said determined length of said time interval and/or to store and/or provide said information related to said detected actuation action in dependence on said determined length of said time interval.

25. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said electric unit comprises a provision unit configured to provide information on said information related to said detected actuation action optically, acoustically, haptically, by vibration, or by transmission to an electronic device that is different from said medical device.

26. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a dose determination unit configured to determine a dose of said medicament selected before said actuation action is applied, wherein said dose determination unit is connected to said electric unit and wherein said electric unit is further configured to store and/or provide information related to said determined dose and/or to store and/or provide said information related to said detected actuation action in dependence on said determined dose.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said dose determination unit is configured to determine said dose by sensing sounds that occur when a dose selector of said medical device is operated, or by sensing a movement of said dose selector.

28. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said electric unit is further configured to provide information allowing for identifying, locating or finding said medical device.

29. A method, comprising:

detecting, with a detector, an actuation action performable via a detector unit that comprises said detector to an actuation button of a medical device to cause said medical device to eject at least a portion of a medicament comprised in said medical device, wherein said detector is configured to detect said actuation action based on a detection of a force and/or a touch applied to said detector unit as part of said actuation action, wherein said detector unit is placed on top of said actuation button or forms an upper part of said actuation button itself and

storing and/or providing information related to said detected actuation action.

30. A computer program, comprising instructions operable to cause a processor to control the steps of the method of claim 29 when said computer program is executed on said processor.