Addressed Drug Module Interrogation for Sequence Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combinatorial drug delivery devices with serially-connected modules lack a mechanism to ensure the accuracy of drug components and their sequencing, posing a risk of medication errors due to the absence of a tray-based safety check.

Innovation Solution

A system with a master controller and secondary controllers, each equipped with non-transitory memory and communication buses, verifies the accuracy of drug components by interrogating serially-connected modules using unique addresses and alphanumeric codes, ensuring correct sequencing and enabling drug delivery only upon authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If serially-connected modules are used without tray-based mechanical safety checks, then device complexity and supply chain efficiency are improved, but the reliability of drug configuration accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tray-based safety check system with an electronic identification and verification system. Each drug module is equipped with an identification element (such as a barcode, RFID tag, or other machine-readable identifier) that allows the master controller to electronically verify the module's identity, drug type, and configuration accuracy through automated scanning and data processing, thereby eliminating the need for complex mechanical tray designs while maintaining or improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-verification through automated identification and validation processes. When a drug module is connected to the master controller, the controller automatically scans the module's identification element, retrieves its stored information, verifies its authenticity and compatibility, and confirms correct configuration without requiring manual intervention or external verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If tray-based mechanical safety checks are used, then reliability of drug configuration is improved, but device complexity and component efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If serially-connected modules without verification system are used, then ease of manufacture and supply chain efficiency are improved, but the risk of medication errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmedication errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical verification mechanisms with electronic identification and validation systems. Each drug module contains an identification element that can be automatically scanned and verified by the master controller, which retrieves module information, validates its authenticity, and confirms correct configuration through electronic data processing, thereby preventing medication errors without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the master controller continuously monitors and verifies the identity and configuration of each drug module through its identification element. The controller receives data from the modules, validates it against predefined criteria, and provides immediate feedback to confirm correct configuration or alert operators to potential errors, thereby preventing medication errors through real-time verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250352725A1System for interrogating serially-connected drug modules in a combinatorial drug delivery device

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB CO

AI summary

In one aspect, a combinatorial drug delivery device is provided herein including: a plurality of serially connectable modules, each including at least one drug component; and, a master controller having a computing processing unit. Each of the modules includes: a non-transitory memory having stored therein an address and an alphanumeric code representative of the at least one drug component contained in the corresponding drug module; a secondary controller operatively linked to the memory of the corresponding module; and, at least one communication bus connectable in series with the communication buses of the modules serially connected with the corresponding module. The master controller is configured to serially interrogate the secondary controllers over the serially-connected communication buses, using the addresses, to request the codes of the corresponding modules. Advantageously, the subject invention provides for a system to confirm the accuracy of drugs provided with the device and the correct sequencing thereof.