# US 10,869,967 B2 · Rigid sensor stopper for use in drug delivery devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,869,967 B2 - Document ID: US10869967B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/862,375 - Filed: 2018-01-04 - Published: 2018-07-12 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-06 - Assignees: Verily Life Sciences LLC - Applicants: Verily Life Sciences LLC - Inventors: Brett Schleicher; Chuangang Lin; James Etzkorn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869967B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/31565: {Administration mechanisms, i.e. constructional features, modes of administering a dose (dosing mechanisms for setting a dose A61M5/31533)} - A61M 5/1684: {by detecting the amount of infusate remaining, e.g. signalling end of infusion} - A61M 5/31511: {Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod (A61M5/5066 takes precedence)} - A61M 5/31525: {Dosing (burettes, pipettes B01L3/02)} - A61M 5/31568: {Means keeping track of the total dose administered, e.g. since the cartridge was inserted} - A61M 5/344: {using additional parts, e.g. clamping rings or collets} - A61M 5/24: Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or cartridges, e.g. automatic - A61M 2205/3327: Measuring - A61M 2205/3375: Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means - A61M 2205/3576: with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver - A61M 2205/50: with microprocessors or computers - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a rigid sensor stopper adapted for use in a drug delivery device. In one implementation, a rigid sensor stopper may include a transducer, a power source, a rigid molding or casing, and at least one elastomeric seal. The molding may be formed from overmolding or insert molding, and the casing may be formed from injection molding, machining, or forged casing. The at least one elastomeric seal may include at least two o-rings. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rigid sensor stopper adapted for a drug delivery device, comprising: a transducer; a power source coupled to the transducer; a rigid casing, wherein the transducer and the power source are disposed within the rigid casing; at least one seal disposed around the rigid casing, the at least one seal comprising an elastomeric material; and a phase-change material disposed within the rigid casing and having a chemical structure to change phase at a temperature lower than a degradation temperature of the power source, wherein the power source is disposed within the phase change material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one seal comprises at least two o-rings. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one seal comprises at least one of: an overmolding or an insert molding. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the at least two o-rings are each distinct components and sit within glands on the rigid casing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one seal coats the rigid casing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one seal includes one or more ridges that encircle the rigid casing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of: a microcontroller, an amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, a radio transmitter, or an antenna disposed within the rigid casing and coupled to the power source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rigid sensor stopper of claim 1, wherein the degradation temperature is a temperature at which the power source is at least one of physically damaged, has a permanent reduction in specific energy, or has a permanent reduction in specific power. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rigid sensor stopper of claim 1, wherein the chemical structure of the phase-change material undergoes a solid-to-liquid transition or a solid-to-gas transition at the temperature lower than the degradation temperature of the power source, and wherein the phase change material is in contact with the power source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The rigid sensor stopper of claim 9, wherein the phase-change material includes at least one of a polymer or a hydrocarbon. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rigid sensor stopper of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes a plurality of materials, and wherein each material in the plurality of materials has a different phase transition temperature. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The rigid sensor stopper of claim 1, wherein the power source includes at least one of a battery including silver oxide, alkaline zinc, Li, CFx, or SOCl2. ### Claim 13 A rigid sensor stopper adapted for a drug delivery device, comprising: a power source; a transducer, wherein the transducer is configured to emit ultrasonic signals along a length of, and through a fluid in, a drug delivery device when the rigid sensor stopper is positioned in the drug delivery device, and wherein the power source is coupled to the transducer to supply power to the transducer; a rigid casing, wherein the transducer and the power source are disposed within the rigid casing; a seal disposed around the rigid casing, the seal comprising an elastomeric material; and a controller coupled to the transducer and the power source, wherein the controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the rigid sensor stopper to perform operations including: calculating a time of flight for the ultrasonic signals to travel from the transducer and return to the rigid sensor stopper. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The rigid sensor stopper of claim 13, wherein the power source comprises a battery disposed within the rigid casing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The rigid sensor stopper of claim 13, further comprising: a phase-change material disposed within the rigid casing and having a chemical structure to change phase at a temperature lower than a degradation temperature of the power source, wherein the power source is disposed within the phase change material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The rigid sensor stopper of claim 13, wherein the seal comprises at least one o-ring. ### Claim 17 A sensor stopper adapted for a drug delivery device, comprising: a transducer; a controller; a battery coupled to the transducer and the controller; a housing, wherein the transducer, the battery, and the controller are disposed within the housing; an elastomeric material disposed around the housing; and a phase-change material disposed within the housing and having a chemical structure to change phase at a temperature lower than a degradation temperature of the power source, wherein the battery and the controller are disposed within the phase change material.