Electronic modules for a syringe

Abstract

An injection monitoring device includes a syringe having a barrel configured to contain a medicament and a plunger configured to be displaced linearly into the interior of the barrel to dispense the medicament, a flange positioned between a proximal end and a distal end of the injection monitoring device and configured to be gripped during performance of the injection, and one or more force sensors positioned to detect data associated with an amount of force applied to the injection monitoring device during performance of an injection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic injection monitoring system for a syringe having a needle, a flange, and a plunger, the electronic injection monitoring system comprising:
 a body configured to mate with the flange;   a safety shield being deployable to cover at least a portion of the needle of the syringe;   one or more deployment sensors configured to detect deployment of the safety shield; and   a communication module configured to transmit data to an external device from the one or more deployment sensors.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a sensor mounting surface comprising a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the external device comprises a mobile device, a computer, or a server. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to transmit data to the external device via wireless communication. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to transmit data to the external device via wired communication. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more deployment sensors comprise a switch positioned to detect deployment of the safety shield. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 6 , wherein the switch is positioned to be activated by movement of the safety shield relative to the needle. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 7 , wherein the switch is positioned to be activated by movement of the safety shield towards the needle. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 6 , wherein the switch is a microswitch. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 6 , wherein the switch is positioned to extend inwardly into a recess of the safety shield prior to deployment of the safety shield. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 6 , further comprising a housing member disposed about an external surface of the syringe, wherein the housing member is configured to move relative to the safety shield when the safety shield is deployed and activate the switch. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more deployment sensors are positioned within the body configured to mate with the flange. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield is configured to deploy upon completion of a dose delivery. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to read data from the one or more deployment sensors and determine a state of the safety shield of the syringe. 
     
     
         15 . An electronic injection monitoring system for a syringe having a needle, a flange, and a plunger, the electronic injection monitoring system comprising:
 a safety shield being deployable to cover at least a portion of the needle of the syringe;   a body disposed about an external surface of the safety shield and housing one or more deployment sensors configured to detect deployment of the safety shield; and   a communication module configured to transmit data to an external device from the one or more deployment sensors.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more deployment sensors comprise a switch positioned to detect deployment of the safety shield. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 16 , wherein the switch is positioned to be activated by movement of the safety shield relative to the needle. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 16 , wherein the switch is positioned to extend inwardly into a recess of the safety shield prior to deployment of the safety shield. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 16 , further comprising a housing member disposed about an external surface of the syringe, wherein the housing member is configured to move relative to the safety shield when the safety shield is deployed and activate the switch. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 15 , wherein the safety shield is configured to deploy upon completion of a dose delivery. 
     
     
         21 . The electronic injection monitoring system of  claim 15 , further comprising a processor configured to read data from the one or more deployment sensors and determine a state of the safety shield of the syringe.