Supplementary Device for Attachment to an Injection Device

Abstract

A device configured to be attached to an injection device includes a wireless communication unit and a sensor. The device is configured to activate the sensor in response to a receipt via the wireless communication unit of a wireless communication from an external device. The device is also configured, following activation of the sensor, to use the sensor to detect one or both of a start and an end of an injection by the injection device. The device is also configured to communicate, via the wireless communication unit, one or both of the start and the end of the injection to the external device.

1 . A device configured to be attached to an injection device, the device comprising:
 a wireless communication unit; and   a sensor;   wherein the device is configured: 
 to activate the sensor in response to a receipt via the wireless communication unit of a wireless communication from an external device, 
 following activation of the sensor, to use the sensor to detect one or both of a start and an end of an injection by the injection device, and 
 to communicate via the wireless communication unit one or both of the start and the end of the injection to the external device. 
   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to indicate that the start of the injection by the injection device has not been detected. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to indicate that the start of the injection by the injection device has been detected and that the end of the injection by the injection device has not been detected. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to indicate that the start of the injection by the injection device has been detected and that the end of the injection by the injection device has not been detected within a predetermined time of the start of the injection. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to indicate whether the communication to the external device was successful. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the device is configured to indicate whether medicament included in the injection device meets a predetermined temperature parameter. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the device is configured to start a timer in response to determining that medicament included in the injection device does not meet a predetermined temperature parameter and to provide an indication when the timer expires. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an extension, wherein the sensor is positioned upon the extension. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to communicate via the wireless communication unit the end of the injection to the external device. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be releasably attached to an injection device. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receipt of a wireless communication from the external device is based on an optical transmission. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the same sensor is configured to detect both the start and the end of the injection. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plunger, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the movement of the plunger or of a component linked to or associated with the plunger. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plunger, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a movement of a component associated with the plunger into a position associated with the end of the injection. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a switch configured to detect the movement of a component of the injection device involved in an injection procedure so as to detect the start of an injection. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the switch is configured to detect the start of the injection. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the switch is configured such that, when the device is attached to the injection device, the switch is depressed prior to the start of the injection by a projection of a plunger of the injection device or by a component associated with the plunger of the injection device. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the switch comprises a protrusion which, when the device is attached to the injection device, is located so as to be depressed by a plunger of the injection device or a component attached to or associated with the plunger. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the device is configured such that, when the plunger of the injection device moves, a part pressing onto the protrusion of the switch moves away from the switch, and so releases the protrusion, allowing the protrusion to relax away from the switch so as to indicate the start of the injection. 
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the switch comprises a conductive rubber pad. 
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the start or the end of the injection is communicated to the external device after the start of the injection has been detected or after the end of the injection has been detected. 
     
     
         23 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the start and the end of the injection is communicated to the external device via near-field communication or Bluetooth. 
     
     
         24 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is a supplementary device. 
     
     
         25 . A system comprising:
 a device configured to be attached to an injection device, the device comprising: 
 a wireless communication unit, and 
 a sensor, 
 wherein the device is configured: 
 to activate the sensor in response to a receipt via the wireless communication unit of a wireless communication from an external device, 
 following activation of the sensor, to use the sensor to detect one or both of a start and an end of an injection by the injection device, and 
 to communicate via the wireless communication unit one or both of the start and the end of the injection to the external device; and 
 
   the injection device, wherein the device is attached to the injection device.   
     
     
         26 . A system according to  claim 25 , wherein the injection device is a disposable autoinjector. 
     
     
         27 . A system according to  claim 25 , wherein the device comprises a housing shaped so that, upon attachment to the injection device, the housing of the device is flush with a housing of the injection device. 
     
     
         28 . A system according to  claim 25 , wherein the system is of a uniform width, but has a greater longitudinal length than that of the injection device. 
     
     
         29 . A system according to  claim 25 , wherein the device is configured to attach within a recess located at a distal end of the injection device.