Electronic Module for Mechanical Medication Delivery Devices

• US 20090069742A1
• Filed: 03/20/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Original Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Inventors: Larsen, Andre
• Granted Patent: US 9,101,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3126 Specific display means related to dosing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/315 Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31593 Multi-dose, i.e. individually set dose repeatedly administered from the same medicament reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the operation of a medication delivery device. In particular, the present invention relates to a method comprising the steps of arranging an electronic module in the vicinity of the medication delivery device, detecting, using the electronic module, measurable signals generated in response to an action occurring within the associated medication delivery device, and storing, using storage means of the electronic module, information associated with or representing the measured signals. The present invention further relates to an electronic module capable of performing the above-mentioned method.

Claims

1. A method for wirelessly monitoring the operation of a mechanical medication delivery device, the method comprising:

attaching an electronic module to an associated mechanical medication delivery device using mutually cooperating coupling means for releasable coupling the electronic module to the associated mechanical medication delivery device,

detecting, using the electronic module, measurable signals generated in response to an event or action occurring within the associated medication delivery device, and associating with each event a time stamp, and

storing, using storage means of the electronic module, information associated with the detected measurable signals, and storing the associated time stamp

wherein the measurable signals are acoustical and/or vibrational signals.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein when the signals are acoustical, the acoustical signals are generated in response to setting a dose of medicament by activating a dose setting member of the associated mechanical medication delivery device.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein when the signals are acoustical, the acoustical signals are generated in response to expelling a dose of medicament from the associated mechanical medication delivery device.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting stored information to an, in relation to the electronic module, external module or unit for further processing.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein transmitting to the external module or unit is provided by wireless means.

16. A method according to claim 2, further comprising transmitting stored information to an, in relation to the electronic module, external module or unit for further processing.

17. A method according to claim 3, further comprising transmitting stored information to an, in relation to the electronic module, external module or unit for further processing.

18. A method according to claim 5, wherein the transmitting to the external module or unit by wireless means comprises utilization of the Bluetooth protocol.

6. A portable electronic module adapted to be releasable coupled on an associated mechanical medication delivery device, the portable electronic module comprising:

means for wirelessly detecting measurable signals generated in response to an event or action occurring within the associated mechanical medication delivery device, and associating with each event or action a time stamp,

mutually cooperating coupling means for releasable coupling the electronic module to the associated mechanical medication delivery device, and

means for storing information associated with the detected measurable signals, and storing the associated time stamp,

wherein the measurable signals are acoustical and/or vibrational signals.

7. A portable electronic module according to claim 6, further comprising means for transmitting stored information to an external module or unit for further processing.

8. A portable electronic module according to claim 7, further comprising a signal processor means adapted to process the detected measurable signal or signals prior to storing information associated therewith.

9. A portable electronic module according to claim 7, wherein the detecting means comprises a microphone capable of detecting acoustical signals generated in the associated mechanical medication delivery device.

10. A portable electronic module according to claim 7, wherein the detecting means comprises an accelerometer capable of detecting vibrational signals generated in the associated mechanical medication delivery device.

11. A portable electronic module according to claim 7, wherein the transmitting means comprise means for wirelessly transmitting information from the electronic module to the external module or unit.

12. A portable electronic module according to claim 11, wherein the wireless transmitting of information from the electronic module to the external module or unit is provided by utilizing the Bluetooth protocol.

13. A portable electronic module according to claim 6, further comprising display means adapted to provide visual information to the user of the electronic module.

14. A portable electronic module according to claim 6, further comprising a touch pad switch adapted to switch on the electronic module upon activation.

15. A portable electronic module according to claim 6, further comprising contact means adapted to switch on the electronic module during normal use of the medication delivery device.

19. A portable electronic module according to claim 8, wherein the detecting means comprises a microphone capable of detecting acoustical signals generated in the associated mechanical medication delivery device.

20. A portable electronic module according to claim 8, wherein the detecting means comprises an accelerometer capable of detecting vibrational signals generated in the associated mechanical medication delivery device.