Service life timer for a device for administering a product in doses

• US 7,749,186 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ypsomed AG (Ypsomed Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG (Ypsomed Holding AG)
• Inventors: Meier, Christof, Wittwer, Martin, Stettler, Peter, Wittmann, Juergen, Kuenzli, Daniel, Kohlbrenner, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOHARSKI, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US11/316,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20070021715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,657 Days
• Field of Search: 604 65- 68, 604207-211, 604/154, 604/232
• US Class Current: 604/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3125 specific display means, e.g. to indicate dose setting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/20 Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically A61M5/142 , A61M5/46 take precedence; hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31535 Means improving security or handling thereof, e.g. blocking means, means preventing insufficient dosing, means allowing correction of overset dose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3155 by rotational movement of dose setting member, e.g. during setting or filling of a syringe
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31553 without axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31568 Means keeping track of the total dose administered, e.g. since the cartridge was inserted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31583 based on rotational translation, i.e. movement of piston rod is caused by relative rotation between the user activated actuator and the piston rod

Abstract

An injection device including at least one sensor for detecting an operating process of the injection device, an electronic circuit connected to the sensor for establishing the beginning and elapsed time of a service life, based on one or more sensor signals, and an output device connected to the circuit for providing a signal indicating the end of the service life. The invention encompasses a method for determining a service life of an injection device, wherein the beginning of the service life is established by one or more sensors for detecting an operating process of the device, a signal is generated which signals the end of the service life, and at least one of an optical, acoustic or tactile output device is associated with the injection device for providing a signal which indicates the end of the service life.

Claims

1. An injection device comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting at least one setting or operating process of the injection device;

an electronic circuit coupled to the at least one sensor for establishing a beginning and an end of service life of the injection device, wherein an algorithm implemented on the electronic circuit calculates the end of service life based on receiving sensor signals relating to the beginning of the service life in combination with at least one of a number of dosage setting processes, a number of ampoule changes and a number of delivery processes; and

at least one of an electronic, optical or acoustic output device coupled to the circuit for providing a signal which indicates to a user the end of the service life.

2. The injection device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor for detecting a setting or operating process is one of a pressure switch, a Reed contact, a rotational sensor, or an encoder coupled to one of a dosing element, triggering element or a moveable mechanism of the injection device.

3. The injection device according to claim 1, further comprising a timer coupled to the electronic circuit for detecting one of the service life or operating time of the injection device.

4. The injection device according to claim 1, wherein the output device comprises at least one light emitting device for generating light having various colors or intensities.

5. The injection device according to claim 1, further comprising one of an optical, electronic and mechanical display for displaying a selected dosage.

6. The injection device according to claim 5, wherein the output device comprises at least one light emitting device arranged relative to the display such that the display is illuminated or transilluminated by the at least one light emitting device.

7. The injection device according to claim 6, wherein the display comprises at least one transparent counting ring.

8. The injection device according to claim 7, further comprising at least one energy source for supplying power to electrical or electronic components associated with in the injection device.

9. The injection device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one actuator connected to the electronic circuit and controlled by the circuit after an ascertained end of the service life to place the injection device in a state in which no further dosages can be dispensed.

10. The injection device according to claim 1, wherein the service life comprises a predetermined service life, and wherein for each operating process of the injection device detected by the at least one sensor, a predetermined time period is deducted from the predetermined service life.

11. The injection device according to claim 10, wherein the operating process comprises one or more of an injection process or an ampoule exchange.

12. The injection device according to claim 10, further comprising at least one actuator connected to the electronic circuit and controlled by the circuit after an ascertained end of the service life to place the injection device in a state in which no further dosages can be dispensed.

13. The injection device according to claim 1, wherein the beginning of the service life is ascertained by the at least one sensor detecting an operating process by the user.

14. The injection device according to claim 12, wherein the operating process comprises one or more of an injection process or an ampoule exchange.

15. The injection device according to claim 1, wherein the signal indicating to the user the end of the service life is outputted continuously or for a predetermined time period after the at least one sensor detects an attempted operating process.

16. The injection device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to receive signals related to the beginning of the service life, dosage setting processes, ampoule changes and delivery processes.