Liquid delivery cap devices, systems, and methods
A liquid delivery system cap device is provided. In some embodiments, an example cap device includes a body defining a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a liquid delivery device, a first sensor configured to output a first sensor signal indicative of a plunger of the liquid delivery device, and a processor configured to detect a plunger of the liquid delivery device based on a variation in the sensor signal of the first sensor.
1 . A liquid delivery system cap device, the cap device comprising:
a body defining a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a liquid delivery device; and
at least one sensor movable within the cavity,
wherein the at least one sensor is movable between a first position and a second position while the liquid delivery device is in a fixed position relative to the cavity.
2 . The cap device of claim 1 , further comprising a motor, wherein the motor is configured to drive the at least one sensor along a portion of the liquid delivery device.
3 . The cap device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a plunger sensor.
4 . The cap device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a physical feature of the liquid delivery device.
5 . The cap device of claim 4 , wherein the physical feature of the liquid delivery device is a leading end of a reservoir, a leading end of a plunger, or a trailing end of the plunger.
6 . The cap device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a plunger of the liquid delivery device while the at least one sensor moves between the first position and the second position.
7 . The cap device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is located on a sensor carriage.
8 . The cap device of claim 1 , further comprising a position sensor separate from the at least one sensor.
9 . The cap device of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is defined by a front wall and one or more side walls of the body, and the body defines an opening to the cavity.
10 . The cap device of claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve configured to receive at least a portion of the liquid delivery device.
11 . The cap device of claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to move along an outside of the sleeve.
12 . The cap device of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to detect a position of a plunger of the liquid delivery device based on a variation in a sensor signal of the at least one sensor.
13 . A liquid delivery system, comprising:
a liquid delivery device, comprising:
a reservoir;
a liquid within the reservoir; and
a plunger movable within the reservoir to dispense the liquid from the reservoir, and
a cap device, comprising:
a body defining a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the liquid delivery device; and
at least one sensor movable within the cavity,
wherein the at least one sensor is movable between a first position and a second position while the liquid delivery device is in a fixed position relative to the cavity.
14 . The liquid delivery system of claim 13 , further comprising a processor configured to detect the plunger of the liquid delivery device based on a variation in a sensor signal of the at least one sensor.
15 . The liquid delivery system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is located in the cap device.
16 . The liquid delivery system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one sensor is located on a sensor carriage.
17 . A method of evaluating a condition of a liquid delivery device, comprising:
receiving at least a portion of the liquid delivery device within a cavity of a cap device;
driving at least one sensor from a first position to a second position while the liquid delivery device remains in a fixed position within the cavity; and
evaluating an output of the at least one sensor indicative of a presence of a feature of the liquid delivery device.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein driving the at least one sensor comprises driving the at least one sensor by an electric motor.
19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising evaluating by a processor within the cap device an output of a position sensor to evaluate a position of the feature of the liquid delivery device, wherein the position sensor is separate from the at least one sensor.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the feature of the liquid delivery device is a plunger.