INJECTOR WITH ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESTRUCTIBLE DUE TO USE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for administering a medicament, comprising a first appliance part; at least a second appliance part, which can be moved from a first state to at least a second state relative to the first appliance part before, during or after administration; an activatable identification element having a carrier; a RFID circuit with an antenna port and at least one signal terminal; at least one sensor which comprises at least two operatively linked sensor elements; at least one sensor element being connected to the at least one signal terminal, as well as an antenna which is connected to the antenna port. According to the invention, the carrier receives or connects the RFID circuit, the antenna and the at least one sensor element, wherein at least a region or section of the carrier is connected at least to the first appliance part.

Claims

1. An administration device for a medicine comprising: a first device part, at least one second device part movable relative to the first device part from a first state into at least one second state before or during or after an administration, and an activatable identifying element comprising: a carrier, an RFID circuit with an antenna terminal and at least one signal terminal, at least one pickup having at least two operatively connected pickup parts, of which at least one pickup part is connected to the at least one signal terminal, and an antenna that is connected to the antenna terminal, wherein the carrier receives or connects the RFID circuit, the antenna and the at least one pickup part and at least one region or portion of the carrier is connected to at least the first device part.

2. An administration device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one region or portion of the carrier has the at least one pickup part, and the second pickup part is connected to the second device part.

3. An administration device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one region or portion of the carrier also receives the second pickup part and is thus connected to the second device part such that a movement of the at least one second device part relative to the first device part from a first into a second state deforms or separates the at least one region or portion of the carrier mechanically.

4. An administration device according to claim 3, wherein the deformation or separation of the at least one region or portion of the carrier influences the operative connection of the at least two pickup parts and effects a signal change of the at least one pickup.

5. An administration device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one pickup has a separable conductor or a variable resistor or a piezoelectric transducer for effecting the signal change.

6. An administration device according to claim 2, wherein the operative connection between the two pickup parts is established galvanically or via a magnetic or electrical or electromagnetic field, and wherein the at least one pickup has respective corresponding contacts and mating contacts or respective corresponding detectors and transmitters.

7. An administration device according to claim 6, wherein a movement of the at least one second device part relative to the first device part from the first stated to the at least one second state effects a signal change of the at least one pickup.

8. An administration device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second device parts each comprise one of: housing, protective cap, protective means, design shell, grip shell, mechanism holder, packaging, sleeve, blister film, needle adapter, needle, hollow cannula, carpule or syringe holder, cap, needle protection sleeve, pull tab, carpule, septum, syringe, piston, flange, piston rod, plunger, metering sleeve, metering ring drive element, drive spring, motive spring, scale element, counter, locking element, drive spring, drive motor, ratchet, click element, catch arm, blocking element, holding arm, guide, trigger element, trigger, coupling, button, thread, gear unit, or stop.

9. An administration device according to claim 1, wherein the device is an autoinjector, injection pen, autopen, infusion pump, patch pump, inhaler or bolus injector.

10. An administration device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is two-dimensional, can carry readable information, and is applied at least in part to the outer surface of the administration device or to a surface of the administration device that is visible from outside.

11. An administration device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is attached with a form fit or frictional fit to at least the first device part and at least in part in an interior of the administration device.

12. An administration device according to claim 11, wherein the carrier is attached in an annular gap formed between device parts.

13. An administration device according to any claim 1, wherein the RFID circuit provides codes distinguishable by a read-out device, which are a function of a signal that is present at the at least one signal terminal.

14. An administration device according to claim 1, wherein the RFID circuit is compatible with devices and systems that operate according to a near field communication (NFC) protocol.

15. A method performed with an administration device for a medicine, comprising the following steps: providing in the administration device a first device part, at least one second device part movable relative to the first device part from a first state into at least one second state before or during or after an administration, and an activatable identifying element comprising: an RFID circuit with an antenna terminal and at least one signal terminal, at least one pickup having at least two operatively connected pickup parts, of which at least one pickup part is connected to the at least one signal terminal, and an antenna that is connected to the antenna terminal; and with a read out device, reading a first code signaled from the RFID circuit, if the second device part is in the first state; or reading a second code distinguishable from the first code signaled from the RFID circuit if the second device part is in the second state.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising at least one of the following steps: outputting a message depending on the code read, linking the code read or a message to a time stamp, storing a code read or a message in the read-out device or a network-attached storage site, a database or cloud storage, comparing a code read or a message to one or more specified values and outputting a corresponding confirmation or warning, transmitting a code read or a message to a host system or a network or a database or a remote control unit or a blood sugar measuring device or a telemedicine system, or querying databases and outputting corresponding responses.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein in the case of outputting a message, the message takes the form of one or more of a text or image on a display or a video or audio message or an URL.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the read out device provides a code that is communicated to a system that uses the code to assess compliance with a therapy associated with a patient associated with the administration device.

19. A method performed with an administration device for a medicine, the device comprising: a first device part, at least one second device part movable relative to the first device part from a first state into at least one second state before or during or after an administration, and an activatable identifying element comprising: an RFID circuit with an antenna terminal and at least one signal terminal, at least one pickup having at least two operatively connected pickup parts, of which at least one pickup part is connected to the at least one signal terminal, and an antenna that is connected to the antenna terminal; the method comprising the following steps: controlling a read out device to supply energy temporarily to the RFID circuit; reading a code signaled from the RFID circuit, that indicates whether the second device part is in the first state; or the second device part is in the second state; and using the code to assess compliance with a therapy associated with a service provider using the administration device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] FIG. 1 illustrates, on the example of an autoinjector, the device parts on which the invention can be performed, with an activatable identifying element.

[0089] FIG. 2 illustrates, on the example of a pen injector, the device parts on which the invention can be performed. with an activatable identifying element.

[0090] FIGS. 3a-3c show an administration device according to the invention in different usage states.

[0091] FIG. 4a-4b show a modification according to the invention of the pickup in a first and a second state.

[0092] FIG. 5 shows a modification according to the invention of the activatable identifying element in a first and a second state.

[0093] FIGS. 6a-6b show an additional modification according to the invention of the activatable identifying element in a first and a second state.

[0094] FIGS. 7a-7b show an additional modification according to the invention of the activatable identifying element in a first and a second state.

[0095] FIGS. 8a-8c show an additional administration device according to the invention in different usage states.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] FIG. 1 illustrates, on the example of an autoinjector, the device parts on which the invention can be performed, with an activatable identifying element. In principle, the invention can be performed on all device parts of the autoinjector or of a comparable administration device that can assume differentiable positions and characterize significant states or statuses, in particular before, during or after use. According to the invention, at least two of the individual parts described below can be the respective first and second device part of the autoinjector shown in each case, so long as they move relatively to one another and thereby establish a change of the usage state:

[0097] In a first phase, when the autoinjector is being prepared for use by opening, the protective cap 4 and at the same time the needle-covering sleeve (not shown), which are removed from the syringe (not shown), preferably move relative to the housing 2 or parts fixed to the housing, in particular syringe holder 1, the syringe (not shown), end cap 12 and mechanism holder 5. Then the autoinjector can be positioned at and pressed onto the injection point. In this second phase, the needle protection sleeve 3, together with the front blocking sleeve 15 and the rear blocking sleeve 8 and under compression of the needle protection spring 10, preferably moves relative to the above-mentioned parts fixed to the housing and releases the connection between plunger 7 and retaining pin 6. The discharge then follows as the third phase, which is initiated by a proximal displacement of the retaining pin 6 with the rear blocking sleeve 8 and the striking thereof onto the mechanism holder 5. The now-released plunger 7 is displaced axially, driving the click sleeve 11 over a portion of the distance, whereby the needle protection spring 10 is further compressed. This distal displacement of the plunger 7 is effected by the now decompressing discharge spring 9 and results in a distal displacement of the piston (not shown) in the syringe. At the end of this distal displacement of the plunger 7 and the displacement of the medicine effected thereby, the plunger 7 again releases the click sleeve 11, whereby the latter is moved proximally by the force of the needle protection spring and strikes against the end cap 12, which is fixed relative to the housing. In the subsequent fourth phase, the autoinjector is removed from the injection point, and the needle protection sleeve 3, together with the front blocking sleeve 15, is moved distally by the needle protection spring 10. The needle protection sleeve 3 now again covers the needle on the syringe (not shown) and the front blocking sleeve 15 locks together with the rear blocking sleeve 8 such that the extended telescope formed thereby reliably prevents another pressing of the needle protection sleeve 3 into the housing.

[0098] FIGS. 3a, b, c show an administration device according to the invention in different usage states. For the sake of simplicity and as an example, the only parts of the administration device that are shown are the housing 102 as the first device part and the needle protection sleeve 103 as the second device part. Other device parts, particularly those as described above, are also suitable for carrying out the invention if modified.

[0099] FIG. 3a shows an administration device according to the invention in a first state with an activatable identifying element 100 having the carrier 108, wherein the carrier 108 mechanically accommodates the RFID circuit 106, the antenna 107 and the pickup 104, 105, and connects them electrically to the antenna terminal 106b and the signal terminal 106a. As shown, one region or portion 105 is operatively connected to the first device part 102 and another region or portion 104 is operatively connected to the second device part 103.

[0100] FIG. 3b shows the administration device according to the invention in a second state, wherein the integrity of the pickup 104, 105 has been disrupted by the movement of the first device part 102 relative to the second device part 103 and the above-mentioned operative connection has been disrupted, in particular, the illustrated conductor or conductor loop 104 has been permanently interrupted mechanically and electrically at a separation point 109 in the third state, as can be seen in FIG. 3c.

[0101] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a modification of the pickup 104, 105 according to the invention in a first and a second state, wherein a reversible or irreversible deformation 109 of the carrier and electrical elements 110 mounted thereon has taken place due to the movement of the first device part 102 relative to the second device part 103, whereby electrical parameters, in particular resistance or impedance values, are changed measurably.

[0102] FIG. 5 shows another modification of the activatable identifying element 100 according to the invention, wherein here a first receiver with a first pickup 111 on the carrier 108 and with a corresponding transmitter 112 on the second device part 103 preferably has a magnet or paramagnetic element, an electrical, inductive or electromagnetic source, a reflector, a damping element or an optical fiber or refractor, for example, whereby the corresponding field coupling or operative connection between pickup 111 and transmitter 112 is measurably changed by the movement of the first device part 102 relative to the second device part 103.

[0103] FIGS. 6a and 6b show an additional modification of the activatable identifying element according to the invention in a first and second state, wherein preferably a galvanic connection by means of contacts 113 with corresponding mating contacts, preferably on a conductor 114, are opened or closed as a function of the movement of a first device part 102 relative to a second device part 103.

[0104] FIGS. 7a and 7b show an additional modification of the activatable identifying element according to the invention in a first and a second state, wherein contacts 113 preferably sense a conductor having a resistive coating, whereby a variable resistance value results, which is a function of the position of the first device part 102 relative to the second device part 103.

[0105] FIG. 2 illustrates, on the example of an pen injector, the device parts on which the invention can be performed with an activatable identifying element. In principle, the invention can be performed on all device parts of the pen injector or of a comparable administration device that can assume differentiable positions and characterize significant statuses, in particular before, during or after use. According to the invention, at least two of the individual parts described below can be the respective first and second device part of the autoinjector shown in each case, so long as they move relatively to one another and thereby establish a change of the usage state:

[0106] In a first phase during preparation of the autoinjector for use by opening, the protective cap 51 preferably moves relative to the housing 55 having a longitudinal axis L and/or relative to parts fixed to the housing, in particular carpule holder 52, carpule 53, threaded insert 59, or mechanism holder 56. A needle having a hollow cannula (not shown) can be placed on the distal end of the carpule holder 52. A dosage to be administered can be increased or corrected in a second phase by rotating the metering ring 61, whereby the drive sleeve 60 screws out of or into the housing 55 by means of the threaded insert 59. The freely rotatable button 64 is not pressed during this second phase and the coupling ring 66 therefore is loosely situated between the drive sleeve 60 and the coupling sleeve 62, whereby the coupling sleeve 62 is not co-rotated. In a third phase, medicine is discharged by pressing a button 64 by applying an axial force in the distal direction, whereby the coupling ring 66 is pressed on both sides with a frictional engagement between the drive sleeve 60 and the coupling sleeve 62, and the drive sleeve 60 screws back into the housing 55 due to the threaded insert 59. Due to the frictional connection, the coupling sleeve 62 is co-rotated and simultaneously moved distally along the axis L. The coupling sleeve 62, for its part, rotates the axially fixed output drive sleeve 57 by means of a sliding guide. The piston rod 58 is moved distally because of an engagement with a longitudinal guide and by threaded engagement with the output drive sleeve 57 and the housing 55, whereby the flange 54 presses against the piston (not shown) of the carpule 53 and medicine is displaced through the hollow needle.

[0107] FIG. 8a shows an administration device according to the invention in a first state with an activatable identifying element 100 having the carrier 108, wherein the carrier 108 mechanically accommodates the RFID circuit 106, the antenna 107 and the pickup 104, 105, and connects them electrically to the antenna terminal 106b and the signal terminal 106a. As shown, a region or portion or pickup part 105 is operatively connected to the first device part 120 and another region or portion or pickup part 104 is operatively connected to the second device part 130.

[0108] FIG. 8b shows the administration device according to the invention in a second state, wherein the integrity of the carrier, or the pickup 104, 105, has been disrupted by the movement of the first device part 120 relative to the second device by 130, and the above-mentioned operative connection has been disrupted, in particular, the illustrated conductor or conductor loop 104 has been permanently interrupted mechanically and electrically at a separation point 109 in the third state, as can be seen in FIG. 8c.