Ultrasound tracking of medication delivery by medication injection devices
US10413676B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2017 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/8206
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medication injection device includes a plunger head having an elastomer housing that fits within a barrel. The plunger head includes an ultrasonic transducer that sends and receives ultrasonic signals in the form of ultrasonic waves, an antenna, a microcontroller that interfaces with the ultrasonic transducer and the antenna, and a power source that powers the microcontroller and the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer, the antenna, the microcontroller, and the power source may be at least partially encapsulated in the elastomer housing. The microcontroller may be programmed to measure echo times of the ultrasonic waves, compare consecutive echo times, and apply a compensation factor. The microcontroller may also be programmed to calculate a volume of medication dispensed from the barrel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.