Smart Sensors for Efficient Drug Delivery Devices
This patent describes how drug delivery devices, like wearable pumps, can save battery power by using sensors to precisely control when their internal motor pushes medicine.
Original patent title: “Drug delivery device drive sensor”
This patent describes how drug delivery devices, like wearable pumps, can save battery power by using sensors to precisely control when their internal motor pushes medicine. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes techniques for managing the force applied by a motor, called a 'drive mechanism', in a drug delivery device. Based on the abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →, the system uses one or more driving arms to push a 'ratchet wheel'. 'Sensor contacts' are positioned to detect when a driving arm has completed its action on the ratchet wheel. This allows the device to stop the motor precisely, preventing it from running longer than needed and saving electrical power. For example, in a wearable insulin pump, this technique could extend battery life by ensuring the motor only activates exactly when required to dispense a dose, rather than running for an arbitrary, potentially longer, duration.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover drug delivery devices that use a continuous motor without a ratcheting mechanism.
- Does not cover devices where force application is determined by measuring drug flow directly, rather than sensing the drive mechanism's position.
- Does not cover drug delivery where the power saving is achieved through chemical means or passive diffusion, rather than controlling an electrical drive mechanism.
- Does not cover drug delivery devices that rely on manual activation or purely pneumatic/hydraulic systems without an electrical drive.
- Does not cover drive mechanisms that do not employ distinct driving arms and ratchet wheels, as described in the abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is using specific sensor contacts to detect the exact moment a driving arm completes its action on a ratchet wheel. This precise timing allows the device to stop the motor immediately, preventing wasted energy and significantly saving electrical power.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Wearable insulin pumps
On-body drug delivery patches
Automated injection pens
Infusion pumps for chronic conditions
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Efficient power use is critical for wearable medical devices that need to operate for long periods without frequent recharging or battery changes. This technology could make devices like insulin pumps or auto-injectors more convenient and reliable for patients by extending their operational life. Better battery life also improves patient adherence and reduces the burden of device management, especially for devices affixed to the skin.
Filed
December 18, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Medtronic, Insulet (Omnipod), and Tandem Diabetes Care are continuously innovating in the field of wearable drug delivery devices, especially for diabetes management. These companies are focused on improving battery life, miniaturization, and user convenience, making technologies like this relevant to their ongoing research and development.
Market impact
This type of invention contributes to the ongoing evolution of wearable medical devices, particularly those requiring precise, intermittent drug delivery. By enabling longer battery life, it helps reduce the size and weight of devices, making them more comfortable and less intrusive for users. This can expand the market for 'affixed to the skin' devices by addressing a key user pain point related to power management.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes techniques for managing the force applied by a motor, called a 'drive mechanism', in a drug delivery device. Based on the abstract, the system uses one or more driving arms to push a 'ratchet wheel'. 'Sensor contacts' are positioned to detect when a driving arm has completed its action on the ratchet wheel. This allows the device to stop the motor precisely, preventing it from running longer than needed and saving electrical power. For example, in a wearable insulin pump, this technique could extend battery life by ensuring the motor only activates exactly when required to dispense a dose, rather than running for an arbitrary, potentially longer, duration.
The clever bit
The clever part is using specific sensor contacts to detect the exact moment a driving arm completes its action on a ratchet wheel. This precise timing allows the device to stop the motor immediately, preventing wasted energy and significantly saving electrical power.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover drug delivery devices that use a continuous motor without a ratcheting mechanism.
- Does not cover devices where force application is determined by measuring drug flow directly, rather than sensing the drive mechanism's position.
- Does not cover drug delivery where the power saving is achieved through chemical means or passive diffusion, rather than controlling an electrical drive mechanism.
- Does not cover drug delivery devices that rely on manual activation or purely pneumatic/hydraulic systems without an electrical drive.
- Does not cover drive mechanisms that do not employ distinct driving arms and ratchet wheels, as described in the abstract.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 17.2 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Smart Sensors for Efficient Drug Delivery Devices (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,289). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734289/drug-delivery-device-drive-sensor
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Smart Sensors for Efficient Drug Delivery Devices cover?
This patent describes how drug delivery devices, like wearable pumps, can save battery power by using sensors to precisely control when their internal motor pushes medicine.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Efficient power use is critical for wearable medical devices that need to operate for long periods without frequent recharging or battery changes. This technology could make devices like insulin pumps or auto-injectors more convenient and reliable for patients by extending their operational life. Better battery life also improves patient adherence and reduces the burden of device management, especially for devices affixed to the skin.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover drug delivery devices that use a continuous motor without a ratcheting mechanism.
Patent monitoring