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Publication Number
US-11715391-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A needle-free injector conditionally detects a training cartridge based on the detected response to linear actuation of a plunger and enters a training mode instead of an injection mode.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is an injector for needle-free injection that includes a chamber configured to receive a cartridge and a plunger positioned to engage the cartridge when placed in the chamber. A drive system applies a linear force to drive the plunger into the chamber, where the drive system includes a rotary motor and a controller that controls a drive current to the rotary motor. A sensor system provides signals indicative of a rotary position of the rotary motor and a drive signal indicative of the drive current supplied to the rotary motor, and the controller evaluates the plunger’s response based on these signals.
A controller selects, based on information received from the sensor system, between a training mode for training a user of the injector in proper operation and an injection mode for delivering a needle-free injection from the cartridge. The selection is performed using information including the signal from the rotary encoder used by the controller to determine a linear position of the plunger and the drive signal used by the controller to determine a linear force applied by the drive system to the plunger, wherein the controller evaluates the manner in which the linear position of the plunger changes in response to the drive signal. The injector thereby conditionally switches operating behavior according to how the plunger position changes in response to applied linear force.
The invention further includes a training cartridge that is shaped and sized for insertion into a chamber of the needle-free injector and includes a feature that causes a force resisting distal plunger displacement along an axis, where the force varies with position along the axis. This position-dependent resistance enables the injector to determine that the cartridge is a training cartridge. In the selected training mode, the controller operates the plunger to simulate injectate displacement, and the training cartridge response can include a substantially incompressible response at a predetermined position.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover four core areas of the invention: injector hardware architecture with rotary motor sensing and mode switching, injector mode selection based on plunger position response to applied linear force, injector operating-mode selection based on plunger response to linear actuation, and a training cartridge having a position-dependent force-resisting feature that enables cartridge identification.
Conditionally selecting training mode versus injection mode using rotary-encoder-derived plunger linear position and rotary-motor drive-current-derived linear force response
An injector with a chamber receiving a cartridge and a plunger engaging the cartridge, where a drive system includes a rotary motor and a controller controls drive current to the rotary motor; a sensor system includes a rotary encoder and provides a signal indicative of rotary position and a drive signal indicative of drive current; the controller selects between a training mode and an injection mode based on information received from the sensor system, including encoder-derived linear position and drive-signal-derived linear force, and evaluates the manner in which the linear position of the plunger changes in response to the drive signal.
Selecting training mode versus injection mode based on change in plunger position in response to applied linear force
An injector with a chamber receiving a cartridge and a plunger engaging the cartridge, a drive system coupled to the plunger for applying a linear force to drive the plunger, and a sensor system configured to detect a position of a plunger and a linear force applied by the drive system; with a controller configured by computer executable code to select between a training mode and an injection mode based on a change in the position of the plunger in response to the linear force.
Selecting an operating mode based on response of the plunger to linear actuation
An injector including a chamber, a plunger positioned to engage a cartridge received in the chamber, a drive system that applies a force to the plunger, a sensor system configured to detect a position of the plunger, and a controller configured to select an operating mode for the injector based on a response of the plunger to linear actuation by the drive system.
Training cartridge producing position-dependent resistance to distal plunger displacement for cartridge identification
A training cartridge for a needle-free injector, comprising a body with an exterior surface shaped and sized for insertion into a chamber of the needle-free injector and a feature that causes a force that resists displacement of a plunger moved distally along an axis of the training cartridge, where the force varies with position along the axis, and where the force enables the injector to determine that the cartridge is a training cartridge.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on using sensed plunger response, particularly plunger position change relative to applied linear force, including rotary-encoder-derived linear position and drive-current-derived linear force, to select between training mode and injection mode and to select operating modes more generally. The training cartridge complements the injector by providing position-dependent resistance that enables the injector to determine that the inserted cartridge is a training cartridge.
Stated Advantages
Enables the injector to determine that the cartridge is a training cartridge.
Provides a training mode for training a user of the injector in proper operation of the injector.
Delivers a needle-free injection from the cartridge in the injection mode.
Allows simulation of injectate displacement in the training mode.
Documented Applications
Training a user of the injector in proper operation of the injector using a training mode.
Delivering a needle-free injection from a cartridge in an injection mode.
Using a training cartridge for a needle-free injector to enable cartridge identification by position-dependent resistance to distal plunger displacement.
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