Communication module for an autoinjector
The invention provides a communication module for an autoinjector comprising a detector component configured to detect an injector usage event to obtain injector usage information and a transmitter component configured to wirelessly transmit injector usage information to a receiving device.
1 . Communication module for an autoinjector comprising:
a. a detector component configured to detect an injector usage event to obtain injector usage information, and
b. a transmitter component configured to wirelessly transmit the injector usage information to a receiving device, and
c. a main board comprising a printed circuit board to which components of the communication module are attached, a power source for powering the communication module, and a processor configured to process an injector usage signal to detect an injector usage event, the main board comprising at least one component having a memory, the detector component comprising at least one contact switch positioned along a first axis of the communication module, wherein operating states of the at least one contact switch are indicative of a state of the autoinjector, wherein the at least one contact switch comprises three contact switches distributed along the first axis of the communication module.
2 . Communication module according to claim 1 , the communication module having a low power mode in which the detector component is configured to detect removal of a cap of the autoinjector and, upon detection of the removal of a cap of the autoinjector, to change the communication module from the low power mode to a use mode by enabling one or more elements of the communication module enabling detection of further injector usage events and/or data transmission.
3 . Communication module according to claim 1 , wherein the detector component is configured to detect electrical, magnetic, acoustical, optical, orientation and/or acceleration signals and is configured obtain an injector usage signal upon detection of an injector usage event.
4 . Communication module according to claim 1 , wherein the injector usage event is one of:
a. an injection preparatory event including at least one of uncasing the autoinjector or removal of a cap of the autoinjector, and
b. an injection event including at least one of placement of the autoinjector onto an injection site, start of movement of an injection needle towards puncture, start of dispensing a fluid product, completion of dispensing a fluid product, or removal of the autoinjector from an injection site.
5 . Communication module according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitter component is configured for transmission via Bluetooth, WLAN, LPWAN, RFID or mobile communications network.
6 . Communication module according to claim 1 , comprising a battery for powering the detector component and/or the transmitter component and an activation mechanism to activate the detector component and/or the transmitter component.
7 . Drive module for an autoinjector, the drive module comprising a drive mechanism and a communication module comprising:
a. a detector component configured to detect an injector usage event to obtain injector usage information, and
b. a transmitter component configured to wirelessly transmit the injector usage information to a receiving device,
the drive mechanism including a trigger element which is movable to control an operation of the drive mechanism, and the detector component including at least one contact switch arranged to contact the trigger element as the trigger element moves during an operation of the drive mechanism, the at least one contact switch comprising a first contact switch to contact the trigger element in a forward position, and a second contact switch to contact the trigger element in a rearmost position.
8 . Drive module according to claim 7 , wherein the drive mechanism includes an indicator element which is movable to indicate a state of operation of the drive mechanism, and wherein the detector component includes at least one contact switch arranged to contact the indicator element as the indicator element moves during an operation of the drive mechanism.
9 . Drive module according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one contact switch is arranged to contact the indicator element in an initial position, and not in an indication position.
10 . Drive module for an autoinjector, the drive module comprising a drive mechanism and a communication module comprising:
a. a detector component configured to detect an injector usage event to obtain injector usage information, and
b. a transmitter component configured to wirelessly transmit the injector usage information to a receiving device, wherein at least a portion of the communication module is releasably secured to a component of the drive mechanism, the component of the drive mechanism securing the communication module to the drive mechanism when in an initial position prior to use of the drive mechanism and the component of the drive mechanism moving during use of the drive mechanism to release at least the portion of the communication module, wherein the communication module comprises a main board, the main board comprising a board feature, and wherein the component of the drive mechanism includes a component feature which, when engaged with the board feature, secures the communication module to the drive mechanism, the component of the drive mechanism moving during use of the drive mechanism to move the component feature out of engagement with the board feature.
11 . Drive module according to claim 10 , wherein the component of the drive mechanism including the component feature is an indicator element which is movable to indicate a state of operation of the drive mechanism.
12 . Autoinjector comprising a drive module comprising a drive mechanism and a communication module comprising:
a. a detector component configured to detect an injector usage event to obtain injector usage information, and
b. a transmitter component configured to wirelessly transmit the injector usage information to a receiving device,
wherein the communication module is mounted within a housing of the autoinjector such that the communication module is disposed entirely within an interior of the housing,
wherein at least a portion of the communication module is releasably secured to a component of a drive mechanism of the autoinjector, the component of the drive mechanism being configured to secure the communication module to the drive mechanism when in an initial position prior to use of the drive mechanism and being configured to move during use of the drive mechanism to release at least the portion of the communication module.
13 . Autoinjector according to claim 12 , wherein the communication module is located so that the communication module is removable via an opening in a wall of the autoinjector housing, and wherein the opening in the housing is covered by a moveable portion.
14 . Autoinjector comprising a drive module comprising a drive mechanism and a communication module comprising:
a. a detector component configured to detect an injector usage event to obtain injector usage information, and
b. a transmitter component configured to wirelessly transmit the injector usage information to a receiving device,
wherein the communication module is mounted within a housing of the autoinjector,
wherein at least a portion of the communication module is releasably secured to a component of a drive mechanism of the autoinjector, the component of the drive mechanism securing the communication module to the drive mechanism when in an initial position prior to use of the drive mechanism and moving during use of the drive mechanism to release at least the portion of the communication module.