Transmission of data associated with an injection device usage using passive RF modulation

#The present application is the national stage entry of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2018/085110, filed on Dec. 17, 2018, and claims priority to Application No. EP 17306866.9, filed on Dec. 21, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

#Electronic injection devices allow patients to safely administer a medicament, without the need for constant supervision by medical staff, while enabling transmission of treatment data to the medical staff. Electronic injection devices can include a medicament reservoir like a cartridge or syringe, an electric component, a drive system, and an energy supply. The electronic component can be configured to detect the usage of the electronic injection device and to transmit the data. The usage detection and data transmission can require a significant amount of energy supply. The energy supply can be provided by a battery. However, a low battery condition can lead to no- or malfunction of the electronic injection device, an incorrect dosage, a missed dosage, or it can even make the electronic injection device unusable by stopping the operation of the electronic components.

#Implementations of the present disclosure include injection devices and systems using passive radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit injection device data. In some implementations, an injection device includes a reservoir including a wall defining a proximal end, a distal end and a side wall, a plunger rod configured to be movable within the reservoir in a direction from the distal end to the proximal end, the injection device having a tubular side being defined by either a housing component, an inner or outer body component, or the medicament reservoir, a radio frequency (RF) antenna attached to the tubular side and configured to receive an interrogation signal from an external device, and a resonating assembly configured to receive the interrogation signal from the RF antenna and to generate a modulated RF signal having a frequency associated with a position of the plunger rod. In some implementations, the resonating assembly includes a magnet attached to the plunger rod and one or more resonators attached to the tubular side and configured to change their RF characteristics based on at least one of a linear and angular position relative to the magnet. In some implementations, the resonating assembly includes a mechanical link attached to the plunger rod and a strain sensitive resonator attached to the tubular side, the strain sensitive resonator being configured to change its RF characteristics based on at least one of a linear and angular position relative to the mechanical link. In some implementations, the mechanical link includes at least one of a spring, an eccentric element, and an eccentric disc. In some implementations, the resonating assembly includes a mechanical link attached to the plunger rod and an oscillator attached to the tubular side, the oscillator being configured to change its RF characteristics based on at least one of a linear and angular position relative to the mechanical link. In some implementations, the mechanical link includes a beam that is attached through a membrane to a cantilever of the oscillator. In some implementations, the resonating assembly includes a multi-slot patch resonator such that the RF signal includes at least one of an identifier of the injection device and a medicament type. In some implementations, the interrogation signal includes a plurality of interrogation signals received at regular time intervals. In some implementations, in response to receiving the plurality of interrogation signals, the resonating assembly generates a plurality of RF signals, such that a frequency shift between two of the plurality of RF signals is associated with an amount of medicament within the reservoir. In some implementations, the interrogation signal is generated in response to a trigger signal transmitted by the injection device. In some implementations, the position of the plunger rod is indicative of an amount of medicament within the reservoir.

#FIGS. 1A-1F are exploded views of examples of systems in accordance with the present disclosure.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example system architecture that can execute implementations of the present disclosure.

#FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example process that can be executed to perform operations of the present disclosure.

#Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

#Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to mechanisms and systems configured for measuring an amount of medicament within injection devices. More particularly, implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a technique for using passive transmission of modulated radio frequency (RF) signals to determine a volume of a medicament reservoir.

#Among other things, we describe techniques for powering an injection device without, for example, using a battery. In some injection devices, transmission of injection device data is based on technologies such as Bluetooth, ANT+ or passive RF identifier/near field communications that can be associated with high power consumption. As described in further detail herein, implementations of the present disclosure address this challenge. For example, in accordance with implementations, the injection device has the sensing functionality integrated into the RF-circuit and transfers the sensing information by analog approach without requiring a battery or a wired connection for energy supply. The injection device does not require energy harvesting or energy conversions for the injection device or for communication, which enables meter-long communication range. The transmission technology allows a simple system setup on injection device side. The components of the injection device do not have an impact on the user operation of the injection device. For example, the patient does not have to replace batteries, or plug in the injection device for RF signal transmission. An electronic injection device configured to operate without a battery has a low environmental footprint and can be manufactured as a disposable item.