# US 2014/0193788 A1 · Method, a device and a computer program product for training the use of an auto-injector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193788 A1 - Document ID: US20140193788A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/129,499 - Filed: 2012-06-28 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-01-10 - Assignees: Alk AG - Inventors: Bryce Vernon Groves; Henry Samuel Yeates; Gareth Michael Coady; Stephen Lombardelli - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193788A1 ## CPC - G09B 23/28: for medicine - G09B 5/06: with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied - G09B 19/003: {Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements} - G09B 19/24: Use of tools - G09B 23/285: {for injections, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, sigmoidscopy, insertion of contraceptive devices or enemas} - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract The invention provides a handheld device for training a user in operating an auto-injector. The device has a screen and a sensor which can quantify a physical activity of the device. A visual representation of the auto-injector and a visual instruction for a desired use of the auto-injector are presented on the screen while the user is requested to manipulate the handheld device as if it was the auto-injector. By use of the sensor date, the device evaluates the performance of the user and determines a level of compliance with the instructions. Accordingly, the invention provides an increased safety in the use of auto-injectors e.g. for epinephrine (adrenaline). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for training the use of an auto-injector, the method comprising: providing a handheld computer device, a motion sensor, and an electronic circuit, the handheld computer device having a screen, the motion sensor being configured to generate motion sensor data based on a motion of the handheld computer device, and the electronic circuit being configured to recognise a gesture based on the motion sensor data; providing instructions on the screen, the instructions being for a desired use of the auto-injector; representing the auto-injector visually on the screen; providing, via the handheld computer device, a request for the user to manipulate the handheld computer device as if the handheld device was the auto-injector; manipulating the handheld computer device such that the motion sensor provides the motion sensor data, the manipulating comprising pressing the device against a bodily surface; and determining, by the electronic circuit, a level of compliance with the instructions based on the manipulating. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: informing the user about the level of compliance with the instructions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: detecting, by the electronic circuit the manipulating. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the detecting is determined from the motion sensor data, the motion sensor data indicating whether a movement of the device in a specific direction is stopped. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: activating a timer upon recognition of a gesture indicating that the handheld device has been pressed against the bodily surface, the timer being included in the handheld computer device, wherein the determining is based on an output of the timer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the pressing of the handheld computer device against the bodily surface is maintained for a period of time, the counter is configured to count the period of time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, further comprising: holding the handheld computer device in a desired orientation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, further comprising: detecting, by the electronic circuit, the holding. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, further comprising: activating the electronic circuit to establish the recognition of the holding prior to the pressing of the handheld computer device against the bodily surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, further comprising: activating the electronic circuit to establish the recognition of the holding after the pressing of the handheld device against the bodily surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, further comprising: activating the electronic circuit to establish the recognition of the holding prior to the activation of the timer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the timer is activated throughout the holding. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining the level of compliance is carried out by comparing the motion sensor data with target reference data, the target reference data expressing desired manipulation of the handheld computer device, the target reference data being preloaded into the handheld computer device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the determining the level of compliance further comprises informing the user of whether the motion sensor data is in accordance with the target reference data. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the handheld device includes an elongated, flat box with two substantially parallel main faces, two substantially parallel side portions, and substantially parallel bottom and top end portions, and wherein the manipulating occurs when the user grabs the handheld computer device by pressing a hand at least against the side portions and subsequently moves the handheld computer device until the bottom end portion is pressed against the bodily surface. ### Claim 16 A handheld computer device for training a user in operating an auto-injector, the device comprising: a screen; a motion sensor configured to provide motion sensor data based on a motion of the handheld computer device; and an electronic circuit configured to, recognise a gesture based on the motion sensor data, provide instructions on the screen for a desired use of the auto-injector, the instructions comprising, a request for the user to manipulate the handheld computer device as if the handheld computer device was the auto-injector, and a request to press the handheld computer device against a bodily surface, and determine a level of compliance with e instructions based on the manipulation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The handheld computer device according to claim 16, further comprising: a memory including preloaded data, the preloaded data expressing at least one desired gesture corresponding to the instructions, the electronic circuit being configured to sample, using said motion sensor, data expressing obtained movement of the handheld computer device while the user moves the handheld computer device, said sampled data comprising at least an angle of the handheld computer device, the electronic circuit being configured to determine a deviation between the sampled data and the preloaded data and to provide an output representing said deviation to the user. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The handheld computer device according to claim 16, wherein the motion sensor comprises a three-axis acceleration sensor configured to provide acceleration in three distinct directions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The handheld computer device according to claim 16, further comprising: a timer configured to activate upon recognition of a gesture indicating that a user has pressed the device against the bodily surface, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to determine a level of compliance with the instructions based on an output of the timer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The handheld computer device according to claim 19, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to recognise a gesture of holding the device in the desired orientation. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The handheld computer device according to claim 16, wherein the memory includes a library of predefined instructions, and the electronic circuit is configured to select the instructions from the library of predefined instructions based on an instruction sequence. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The handheld computer device according to claim 21, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to control the handheld computer device to express the instructions audibly. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The handheld computer device according to claim 21, wherein the instructions are selected from the library based on a recognised gesture. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The handheld computer device according to claim 16, wherein the instructions are for the desired use of an epinephrine auto-injector. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The handheld computer device according to claim 16, further comprising: a device configured to read an identification insignia obtainable on a real auto-injector, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to provide instructions and visual representation of the real auto-injector being identified by the insignia. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The handheld computer device according to claim 25, wherein the identification insignia includes information regarding the lifetime of the real auto-injector, and the handheld computer device is configured to to alert the user when the real auto-injector should be replaced. ### Claim 27 A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer program product, the computer prop am product being readable by a handheld computer device, the handheld computer device comprising a screen, a motion sensor adapted to provide motion sensor data, and an electronic circuit, the computer program product comprising a set of instructions for the handheld computer device, the instructions enabling the handheld computer device to: represent an auto-injector visually on the screen; provide instructions on the screen for a desired use of the auto-injector, the instructions comprising a request for the user to manipulate the handheld computer device itself as if the handheld computer device was the auto-injector; and evaluate the motion sensor data to recognise a gesture; and determine a level of compliance with the instructions based on the gesture. ### Claim 28 (canceled)