Cover for liquid delivery system with integrated plunger position sensing using focused optical beam and linear potentiometer
US11529471B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2017 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/52
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sliding cover for a liquid delivery device, such as a cap (100) for a pen injector (200), incorporates a set of sensors including an optical sensor (110) with an output which changes during uncapping or capping motions on passing of a plunger (220) of the pen injector. This output is used together with a position sensor (120) to determine the position of the plunger along a cylinder (210) of the liquid delivery device. By monitoring changes in the plunger position, the quantity of dosages delivered by the liquid delivery device can be determined, displayed, stored and/or transmitted to an external device for further data processing or storage. Preferred implementations of the invention employ optical sensors with a converging beam (115), and/or position sensors employing linear potentiometer strips (132).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.