Electronic System for a Drug Delivery Device

Abstract

The present disclosure refers to a switch assembly for an electronic system of a drug delivery device. The switch assembly comprises a chassis supporting a PCBA which has a distal surface comprising at least a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact and a third electrical contact, and a ring. The chassis moves axially relative to the ring from a first axial position to a second axial position during a first switch operation mode. The chassis and the ring are configured such that the ring rotates relative to the chassis during a second switch operation mode. The ring comprises an annular continuous first electrically conductive area and an annular segmented second electrically conductive area which is connected to the first area.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. A switch assembly for an electronic system of a drug delivery device, the switch assembly comprising: a chassis supporting a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) which has a distal surface comprising at least a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact and a third electrical contact; and a ring, wherein that the chassis moves axially relative to the ring from a first axial position to a second axial position during a first switch operation mode, and wherein the chassis and the ring are configured such that the ring rotates relative to the chassis during a second switch operation mode, wherein that the ring comprises a first area that is an annular continuous electrically conductive area and a second area that is an annular segmented electrically conductive area connected to the first area, and wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are arranged such that axial movement of the chassis towards the ring during the first switch operation mode closes an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact via the first area, and the third electrical contact is arranged such that a rotational movement between the ring and the chassis during the second switch operation mode alternately opens and closes an electrical connection between the second electrical contact and the third electrical contact via the second area.

15. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the first electrical contact, the second electrical contact and the third electrical contact is formed as electrically conductive and elastically deformable arm extending distally from the distal surface of the PCBA towards the ring.

16. The switch assembly of claim 15, wherein the arm forming the third electrical contact is elastically deformable in a radial direction and extends beyond the arms forming the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact in the distal direction which are elastically deformable in an axial direction.

17. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the first area and the second area are formed as a unitary metal component.

18. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the first area is provided on a proximal surface of the ring facing towards the PCBA and wherein the second area is provided on an inner cylindrical surface of the ring.

19. The switch assembly of claim 18, wherein the arm forming the third electrical contact is arranged radially inwards of the arms forming the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

20. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the first area is provided on a proximal surface of the ring facing towards the PCBA and wherein the second area is provided on the same proximal surface of the ring radially outside of the first area

21. The switch assembly of claim 15, wherein the arms forming the electrical contacts are elastically deformable in an axial direction.

22. The switch assembly of claim 20, wherein the arm forming the third electrical contact is arranged radially outwards of the arms forming the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

23. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the second area is formed by a plurality of equispaced segments hinged to the first area.

24. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the chassis is closer to the ring in the first axial position than in the second axial position.

25. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the first switch operation mode occurs during a transition from the dose setting operation to the dose delivery operation of the drug delivery device or when the chassis is pressed in a 0U dialed condition of the drug delivery device.

26. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the second switch operation mode occurs during the dose delivery operation of the drug delivery device.

27. A drug delivery device comprising: an electronic system having a switch assembly, the switch assembly comprising: a chassis supporting a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) which has a distal surface comprising at least a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact and a third electrical contact; and a ring, wherein that the chassis moves axially relative to the ring from a first axial position to a second axial position during a first switch operation mode, and wherein the chassis and the ring are configured such that the ring rotates relative to the chassis during a second switch operation mode, wherein that the ring comprises a first area that is an annular continuous electrically conductive area and a second area that is an annular segmented electrically conductive area connected to the first area, and wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are arranged such that axial movement of the chassis towards the ring during the first switch operation mode closes an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact via the first area, and the third electrical contact is arranged such that a rotational movement between the ring and the chassis during the second switch operation mode alternately opens and closes an electrical connection between the second electrical contact and the third electrical contact via the second area; a dose setting and drive mechanism which is configured to perform a dose setting operation for setting a dose to be delivered by the drug delivery device and a dose delivery operation for delivering the set dose, the dose setting and drive mechanism comprising the ring; and a button module comprising an electronic control unit on the PCBA, a rotary sensor, a communication unit with a wireless communication interface for communicating with another device, and a use detection unit comprising the switch assembly, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control an operation of the electronic system, wherein the button module and the dose setting and drive mechanism are configured such that the dose dial assembly rotates relative to the button module during the dose delivery operation but does not rotate relative to the button module during the dose setting operation and that the button module moves axially relative to the dose dial assembly during the transition from the dose setting operation to the dose delivery operation, or when the button module is pressed in a 0U dialled condition, wherein the electronic system is configured such that the communication unit is switched from a sleeping mode into an operation mode inducing the communication unit to initiate a manual synchronisation and/or a pairing with another device upon closing an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact via the first area during the first switch operation mode, and wherein the electronic system is configured such that the rotary sensor is switched from a sleeping mode into an operation mode inducing the rotary sensor to initiate a motion detection upon closing an electrical connection between the second electrical contact and the third electrical contact via the second area during the second switch operation mode.

28. The drug delivery device of claim 27, wherein the rotary sensor comprises an encoder ring.

29. The drug delivery device of claim 27, further comprising a container receptacle which is permanently or releasably connected to the dose setting and drive mechanism and which is adapted to receive a container containing a medicament.

30. The drug delivery device of claim 27, wherein the rotary sensor comprises an optical sensor.

31. The drug delivery device of claim 27, wherein each of the first electrical contact, the second electrical contact and the third electrical contact is formed as electrically conductive and elastically deformable arm extending distally from the distal surface of the PCBA towards the ring.

32. The drug delivery device of claim 27, wherein the arm forming the third electrical contact is elastically deformable in a radial direction and extends beyond the arms forming the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact in the distal direction which are elastically deformable in an axial direction.

33. The drug delivery device of claim 27, wherein the first area is provided on a proximal surface of the ring facing towards the PCBA and wherein the second area is provided on an inner cylindrical surface of the ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0069] Non-limiting, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0070] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a drug delivery device;

[0071] FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of a ring of the switch assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0072] FIG. 2b shows a sectional view of the switch assembly according to the first embodiment in a default state;

[0073] FIG. 2c shows a sectional view of the switch assembly according to the first embodiment in the first switch operation mode;

[0074] FIG. 2d shows a sectional view of the switch assembly according to the first embodiment in the second switch operation mode;

[0075] FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of a ring of the switch assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0076] FIG. 3b shows a sectional view of the switch assembly according to the second embodiment in a default state;

[0077] FIG. 3c shows a sectional view of the switch assembly according to the second embodiment in the first switch operation mode;

[0078] FIG. 3d shows a sectional view of the switch assembly according to the second embodiment in the second switch operation mode; and

[0079] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically an embodiment of an electronic system for a drug delivery device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] In the figures, identical elements, identically acting elements or elements of the same kind may be provided with the same reference numerals.

[0081] In the following, some embodiments will be described with reference to an insulin injection device. The present disclosure is however not limited to such application and may equally well be deployed with injection devices that are configured to eject other medicaments or drug delivery devices in general, preferably pen-type devices and/or injection devices.

[0082] Embodiments are provided in relation to injection devices, in particular to variable dose injection devices, which record and/or track data on doses delivered thereby. These data may include the size of the selected dose and/or the size of the actually delivered dose, the time and date of administration, the duration of the administration and the like. Features described herein include the arrangement of sensing elements and power management techniques (e.g. to facilitate small batteries and/or to enable efficient power usage).

[0083] Certain embodiments in this document are illustrated with respect to the injection device disclosed in EP 2 890 435 where an injection button and grip (dose setting member or dose setter) are combined. The injection button may provide the user interface member for initiating and/or performing a dose delivery operation of the drug delivery device. The grip or knob may provide the user interface member for initiating and/or performing a dose setting operation.

[0084] These devices are of the dial extension type, i.e. their length increases during dose setting. Other injection devices with the same kinematical behaviour of the dial extension and button during dose setting and dose expelling operational mode are known as, for example, the Kwikpen® device marketed by Eli Lilly and the Novopen® 4 device marketed by Novo Nordisk. An application of the general principles to these devices therefore appears straightforward and further explanations will be omitted. However, the general principles of the present disclosure are not limited to that kinematical behaviour. Certain other embodiments may be conceived for application to Sanofi's SoloSTAR® injection device where there are separate injection button and grip components/dose setting members. Thus, there may be two separate user interface members, one for the dose setting operation and one for the dose delivery operation.

[0085] “Distal” is used herein to specify directions, ends or surfaces which are arranged or are to be arranged to face or point towards a dispensing end of the drug delivery device or components thereof and/or point away from, are to be arranged to face away from or face away from the proximal end. On the other hand, “proximal” is used to specify directions, ends or surfaces which are arranged or are to be arranged to face away from or point away from the dispensing end and/or from the distal end of the drug delivery device or components thereof. The distal end may be the end closest to the dispensing and/or furthest away from the proximal end and the proximal end may be the end furthest away from the dispensing end. A proximal surface may face away from the distal end and/or towards the proximal end. A distal surface may face towards the distal end and/or away from the proximal end. The dispensing end may be the needle end where a needle unit is or is to be mounted to the device, for example.

[0086] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a medicament delivery device or drug delivery device. In this example, the medicament delivery device is an injection device 1, e.g. a pen-type injector, such an injection pen disclosed in EP 2 890 435.

[0087] The injection device 1 of FIG. 1 is an injection pen that comprises a housing 10 and contains a container 14, e.g. an insulin container, or a receptacle for such a container. The container may contain a drug. A needle 15 can be affixed to the container or the receptacle. The container may be a cartridge and the receptacle may be a cartridge holder. The needle is protected by an inner needle cap 16 and either an outer needle cap 17 or another cap 18. An insulin dose to be ejected from injection device 1 can be set, programmed, or ‘dialled in’ by turning a dosage knob 12, and a currently programmed or set dose is then displayed via dosage window 13, for instance in multiples of units. The indicia displayed in the window may be provided on a number sleeve or dial sleeve. For example, where the injection device 1 is configured to administer human insulin, the dosage may be displayed in so-called International Units (IU), wherein one IU is the biological equivalent of about 45.5 micrograms of pure crystalline insulin ( 1/22 mg). Other units may be employed in injection devices for delivering analogue insulin or other medicaments. It should be noted that the selected dose may equally well be displayed differently than as shown in the dosage window 13 in FIG. 1.

[0088] The dosage window 13 may be in the form of an aperture in the housing 10, which permits a user to view a limited portion of a dial sleeve assembly that is configured to move when the dial grip 12 is turned, to provide a visual indication of a currently set dose. The dial grip 12 is rotated on a helical path with respect to the housing 10 when setting a dose.

[0089] In this example, the dial grip 12 includes one or more formations to facilitate attachment of a data collection device. Especially, the dial grip 12 may be arranged to attach a button module 11 onto the dial grip 12. As an alternative, the dial grip may comprise such a button module of an electronic system.

[0090] The injection device 1 may be configured so that turning the dial grip 12 causes a mechanical click sound to provide acoustic feedback to a user. In this embodiment, the dial grip 12 also acts as an injection button. When needle 15 is stuck into a skin portion of a patient, and then dial grip 12 and/or the attached button module 11 is pushed in an axial direction, the insulin dose displayed in display window 13 will be ejected from injection device 1. When the needle 15 of injection device 1 remains for a certain time in the skin portion after the dial grip 12 is pushed, the dose is injected into the patient's body. Ejection of the insulin dose may also cause a mechanical click sound, which may be different from the sounds produced when rotating the dial grip 12 during dialing of the dose.

[0091] In this embodiment, during delivery of the insulin dose, the dial grip 12 is returned to its initial position in an axial movement, without rotation, while the dial sleeve assembly is rotated to return to its initial position, e.g. to display a dose of zero units. FIG. 1 shows the injection device 1 in this 0U dialled condition. As noted already, the disclosure is not restricted to insulin but should encompass all drugs in the drug container 14, especially liquid drugs or drug formulations.

[0092] Injection device 1 may be used for several injection processes until either the insulin container 14 is empty or the expiration date of the medicament in the injection device 1 (e.g. 28 days after the first use) is reached. In the case of a resuable device, it is possible to replace the insulin container.

[0093] Furthermore, before using injection device 1 for the first time, it may be necessary to perform a so-called “prime shot” to remove air from insulin container 14 and needle 15, for instance by selecting two units of insulin and pressing dial grip 12 while holding injection device 1 with the needle 15 upwards. For simplicity of presentation, in the following, it will be assumed that the ejected amounts substantially correspond to the injected doses, so that, for instance the amount of medicament ejected from the injection device 1 is equal to the dose received by the user. Nevertheless, differences (e.g. losses) between the ejected amounts and the injected doses may need to be taken into account.

[0094] As explained above, the dial grip 12 also functions as an injection button so that the same component is used for dialling/setting the dose and dispensing/delivering the dose. As an alternative (not shown), a separate injection button may be used which is axially displaceable, at least a limited distance, relative to the dial grip 12 to effect or trigger dose dispensing.

[0095] In the following, an electronic system 100 according to the disclosure will be described with respect to exemplary embodiments and with reference to FIG. 4. The electronic system 100 comprises a dose setting and drive mechanism which may be part of an injection device 1 as depicted in FIG. 1 and an electrical power supply 150, e.g. a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery, as shown in FIG. 4. The electronic system 100 further comprises an electronic control unit 110, e.g. comprising or consisting or being part of a PCBA, configured to control an operation of the electronic system 100 which has a first state and a second state, wherein the electronic system 100 has an increased electrical power consumption in the second state as compared to the first state. The electronic system 100 further comprises an encoding and motion sensing unit 120, e.g. a rotary sensor, and an electrical use detector unit 130 which is operatively connected to the electronic control unit 110 and which is configured to generate at least a first signal which is indicative that the user performs an operation. An example of such an operation is that the user of the injection device and/or the electronic system enters a manual synchronization or pairing mode of the electronic system 100 and/or that a user starts dose dispensing. The electronic system 100 is configured such that it is switched from the first state into the second state by the electronic control unit 110 in response to said first signal. The electronic system further comprises a communication unit 140 for communicating with another device. When the communication unit 140 is active to perform the manual synchronization or pairing mode, the electronic system 100 is in its second state. The PCBA of the electronic control unit 110 may be arranged on and/or in a module chassis 19 of the button module 11 (see FIGS. 2b and 3b).

[0096] Although not explicitly depicted, the electronic system 100 may comprise a, preferably permanent and/or non-volatile, storage or memory unit, which may store data related to the operation of the drug delivery device such as dose history data, for example.

[0097] Unless specifically disclosed otherwise in the following, the electronic system 100 may have the functions and may be arranged and/or designed as described in unpublished EP 20315066.9 and EP 20315357.2, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0098] A first embodiment of a switch assembly 20 is depicted in FIGS. 2a to 2d.

[0099] In the switch assembly 20, the button module 11 is arranged within the dial grip 12 and comprises the module chassis 19 on which the PCBA of the electronic control unit 110 is located. The module chassis 19 has an outer annual a portion held in the dial grip 12 and an inner tubular portion extending into an encoder ring 21 of a dial sleeve assembly. In the depicted embodiment the encoder ring 21 is a separate component part as shown in FIG. 2a fixed on the proximal end of a dial sleeve. As an alternative, the encoder ring 21 may be an integral part of a dial sleeve.

[0100] The encoder ring 21 comprises a metal component 22 located at or near a proximal end of the encoder ring 21. The metal component comprises a first area 22a which has a circular shape, e.g. in the form of a flat disc, and which is located facing proximally towards the distal surface of the PCBA of the electronic control unit 110. The first area 22a is continuously formed, i.e. uninterrupted. The metal component further comprises a second area 22b provided on an inner surface of the encoder ring 21. The second area 22b comprises several segments interrupted by free spaces, i.e. non-conducting spaces.

[0101] The distal surface of the PCBA of the electronic control unit 110 comprises a first electrical contact 23a, a second electrical contact 23b, a third electrical contact 23c and a fourth electrical contact 23d. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, each of the electrical contacts 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d is formed as an elastically deflectable arm having one end which is permanently attached and connected to the PCBA 110 and an opposite free end which may be deflected. In FIG. 2a, the letters a, b, c denote a position in which the first electrical contact 23a, the second electrical contact 23b and the third electrical contact 23c may abut the first and second area 22a, 22b, respectively, depending on the relative orientation of the encoder ring 21 with respect to the PCBA 110. FIGS. 2b to 2d show that the arms forming the third electrical contact 23c and the fourth electrical contact 23d are arranged radially inwards of the arms forming the first electrical contact 23a and the second electrical contact 23b and extend beyond the arms forming the first electrical contact 23a and the second electrical contact 23b in the distal direction. The first electrical contact 23a and the second electrical contact 23b constitute together with the first area 22a a first axial switch, whereas one of the first electrical contact 23a and the second electrical contact 23b together with at least one of the third electrical contact 23c and the fourth electrical contact 23d and the second area 22b form a second rotary switch. While FIGS. 2b to 2d show a dual set of arms for the rotary switch, one of the arms 23c, 23d would be sufficient.

[0102] In a default state of the drug delivery device, i.e. when the drug delivery device is not operated or manipulated by a user, the chassis 19, the ring 21 and the spring arms are arranged and in a state as depicted in FIG. 2b. In this a default state the axial switch and the rotary switch of the switch assembly 20 are both open as will be explained in the following.

[0103] In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, in the default position, the first electrical contact 23a and the second electrical contact 23b is spaced from the first area 22a such that a circuit between the first electrical contact 23a and the second electrical contact 23b is open. Further, the third electrical contact 23c and the fourth electrical contact 23d are in abutment with a free space between the segments of the second area 22b such that a circuit between one of the first electrical contact 23a and the second electrical contact 23b and the third electrical contact 23c and/or the fourth electrical contact 23d is open

[0104] During dose setting, i.e. when a user selects a higher or lower dose to be dispensed from the drug delivery device 1, the dial grip 12 is rotated by a user with respect to the housing 10. This causes the simultaneous rotation of the chassis 19 and the encoder ring 21 which are rotationally coupled to each other in the dose setting mode of the drug delivery device 1 via a clutch (not shown) of the dose setting and drive mechanism. Due to the simultaneous rotational movement of the chassis 19 and the encoder ring 21, the relative arrangement of the chassis 19, the ring 21 and the spring arms with respect to each other remains the same as in the default state depicted in FIG. 2b. During dose setting the dial grip 12 with the chassis 19 and the encoder ring 21 travel on a helical path thereby winding out of the housing 10 as of the selected dose is increased.

[0105] With the dose dialed, a user may start dose dispensing by axially pushing on the proximal end of the dial grip 12. This causes disengagement of the clutch to rotationally decouple the chassis 19 and the encoder ring 21 and causes rotationally coupling the dial grip 12 with the chassis 19 to the housing 10 of the drug delivery device 1. This axial movement includes a limited relative axial movement of the chassis 19 with respect to the encoder ring 21. FIG. 2c shows the switch assembly 20 after this limited relative axial movement.

[0106] Due to this limited axial movement of the chassis 19 with respect to the encoder ring 21, the first electrical contact 23a and the second electrical contact 23b are brought into abutment with the first area 22a, thereby closing the axial switch. The third electrical contact 23c and the fourth electrical contact 23d are axially shifted with respect to the encoder ring 21 and the metal component 22, too, but remain in the same relative rotational orientation with respect to the encoder ring 21, i.e. they remain in abutment with the free spaces between the conductive segments forming the second area 22b. Thus, the rotary switch remains open.

[0107] Closing the axial switch of the switch assembly 20 may not only occur during this transition from the dose setting operation to the dose delivery operation of the drug delivery device 1 but may also occur when the dial grip 12, and thus the chassis 19, is pressed to move axially with respect to the encoder ring 21 in a 0U dialled condition of the drug delivery device 1, i.e. prior to dose setting.

[0108] This first switch operation mode is preferably used to wake up the communication unit 140, i.e. to switch the communication unit 140 from a sleeping mode into an operation mode inducing the communication unit 140 to initiate a manual synchronisation and/or a pairing with another device. This may occur by means of the electronic control unit 110 in response to the signal generated by closing the axial switch between the arms forming the first contact 23a and the second contact 23b via the first area 22a.

[0109] Further depression of the dial grip 12 causes of the dial grip 12 with the chassis 19 to be pushed axially back into the housing 10 while the encoder ring 21 rotates back into the housing 10 along the helical path. In other words, dose dispensing causes a relative rotational movement of the encoder ring 21 with respect to the chassis 19. During this rotational movement the first and second contacts 23a, 23b remain connected via the first area 22a. However, during this rotation the rotary switch changes between the open state in which the arms 23c, 23d are not in contact with the segments of the second area 22b and the closed state in which the arms 23c, 23d are in contact with the conductive segments of the second area 22b, thereby establishing a connection with the arms 23a, 23b. This constitutes a second switch operation mode of the switch assembly 20.

[0110] The electronic system is preferably configured such that the rotary sensor 120 is switched from a sleeping mode into an operation mode inducing the rotary sensor 120 to initiate a motion detection upon closing the electrical connection between one of the third electrical contact 23c and the fourth electrical contact 23d with one of the first electrical contact 23a and the second contact 23b during this second switch operation mode. This may occur by means of the electronic control unit 110 in response to the signal generated by alternatdely closing the rotary switch. The axial switch remains engaged continuously throughout the rotational motion of the encoder ring 21.

[0111] The axial switch and the rotational switch of the switch assembly 20 both open as the user releases the dial grip 12 which causes the above described actions to be successively reversed.

[0112] A second embodiment of a switch assembly 30 is depicted in FIGS. 3a to 3d.

[0113] In the switch assembly 30, the arrangement of the button module 11, the dial grip 12 and the module chassis 19 with the PCBA of the electronic control unit 110 is as well as the arrangement of an encoder ring 31 is identical to the switch assembly 20. In addition, the relative movements of the module chassis 19 and the encoder ring 31 during the different operational stages of the drug delivery device 1 are identical. The encoder ring 31 comprises a metal component 32 similar to the metal component 22 of the first embodiment. Again, the metal component 32 comprises a first area 32a which has a circular shape, e.g. in the form of a flat disc, and which is located facing proximally towards the distal surface of the PCBA of the electronic control unit 110. The first area 22a is continuously formed, i.e. uninterrupted. However, in the second embodiment the metal component further comprises a second area 32b provided radially outwards of the first area 32a, i.e. located facing proximally towards the distal surface of the PCBA of the electronic control unit 110. The second area 32b comprises several segments interrupted by free spaces, i.e. non-conducting spaces.

[0114] In the switch assembly 30, the distal surface of the PCBA of the electronic control unit 110 comprises a first electrical contact 33a, a second electrical contact 33b, a third electrical contact 33c and a fourth electrical contact 33d which are again formed as elastically deflectable arms having one end which is permanently attached and connected to the PCBA 110 and an opposite free end which may be deflected. In FIG. 3a, the letters a, b, c denote a position in which the first electrical contact 33a, the second electrical contact 33b and the third electrical contact 33c may abut the first and second area 32a, 32b, respectively, depending on the relative orientation of the encoder ring 31 with respect to the PCBA 110. In the second embodiment, the arms have substantially the same length in the axial direction and the arms forming the third electrical contact 33c and the fourth electrical contact 33d are arranged radially outwards of the arms forming the first electrical contact 33a and the second electrical contact 33b. The first electrical contact 33a and the second electrical contact 33b constitute together with the first area 32a a first axial switch, whereas one of the first electrical contact 33a and the second electrical contact 33b together with at least one of the third electrical contact 33c and the fourth electrical contact 33d and the second area 32b form a second rotary switch. While FIGS. 3b to 3d show a dual set of arms for the rotary switch, one of the arms 33c, 33d would be sufficient.

[0115] It will be understood that the operation of the switch assembly 30 is substantially the same as described above for the switch assembly 20.

[0116] In other words, the axial switch and the rotary switch are both open in the default state and during dose setting.

[0117] Further, while the rotary switch 32b, 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d remains open, the axial switch is closed during transition from the dose setting operation to the dose delivery operation of the drug delivery device 1 or when the dial grip 12, and thus the chassis 19, is pressed to move axially with respect to the encoder ring 21 in a 0U dialled condition of the drug delivery device 1, i.e. prior to dose setting. This first switch operation mode is preferably used to wake up the communication unit 140, i.e. to switch the communication unit 140 from a sleeping mode into an operation mode inducing the communication unit 140 to initiate a manual synchronisation and/or a pairing with another device.

[0118] Still further, while the axial switch 32a, 33a, 33b remains closed, the rotary switch alternatedly opens and closes during dose delivery operation. The electronic system is preferably configured such that the rotary sensor 120 is switched from a sleeping mode into an operation mode inducing the rotary sensor 120 to initiate a motion detection upon closing the electrical connection between one of the third electrical contact 33c and the fourth electrical contact 33d with one of the first electrical contact 33a and the second contact 33b during this second switch operation mode.

[0119] The arrangement of the first area 22a, 32a and the second area 22b, 32b in the exemplary embodiments depicted in the Figures is not limiting. For example, the first area may be arranged radially outside the second area or the first area may be arranged on an inner or outer cylindrical surface of the encoder ring 21, 31 with the second area being arranged on a proximal face of the encoder ring.

[0120] Although described mainly with respect to a drug delivery device having a similar working principle as the device disclosed in EP 2 890 435, the electronic system is applicable to any other type of drug delivery device having component parts performing a relative axial and/or rotational movement in defined conditions or states.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0121] 1 device [0122] 10 housing [0123] 11 button module [0124] 12 dial grip [0125] 13 dosage window [0126] 14 container/container receptacle [0127] 15 needle [0128] 16 inner needle cap [0129] 17 outer needle cap [0130] 18 cap [0131] 19 module chassis [0132] 20 switch assembly [0133] 21 encoder ring [0134] 22 metal component [0135] 22a first area [0136] 22b second area [0137] 23a-d electrical contact [0138] 30 switch assembly [0139] 31 encoder ring [0140] 32 metal component [0141] 32a first area [0142] 32b second area [0143] 33a-c electrical contact [0144] 100 electronic system [0145] 110 electronic control unit (PCBA) [0146] 120 encoding and motion sensing unit [0147] 130 use detection unit [0148] 140 communication unit [0149] 150 electrical power supply