Attachable Sensor for Medication Container Opening Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medication adherence systems fail to effectively detect the opening of conventional medication containers and provide timely reminders for patients to take their medications, leading to non-adherence issues that result in significant health consequences.
Innovation Solution
A device that can be attached to a conventional container, such as a pill bottle, to detect when it is opened and send notifications to the user or medical provider, tracking adherence and providing reminders for scheduled doses through a user device, which can be configured via software applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a sensor is integrated into a conventional medication container, then the ability to detect container opening is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the medication container into two functional parts: the conventional container body and a separate attachable device. The attachable device contains the sensor, processor, and communication module as distinct functional segments that can be independently manufactured and attached to the container, reducing the complexity of modifying the original container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachable device serves as an intermediary component between the conventional medication container and the user's mobile device. It bridges the gap by providing detection and communication capabilities without requiring modification of the container itself, allowing the container to remain simple while adding intelligent functions through the intermediary attachable device.
2Reliability
If an attachable device with sensor is used, then the adherence tracking capability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachable device automatically detects when the medication container is opened and autonomously transmits this information to the user's mobile device without requiring manual intervention. The system self-monitors adherence by detecting container opening events and automatically reports them, eliminating the need for users to manually log their medication taking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to users and healthcare providers about medication adherence status through automatic notifications. When the container is opened, the system sends real-time feedback to the mobile device, creating a closed-loop system that continuously monitors and reports adherence without requiring active user participation in the monitoring process.
3Reliability
If notifications are sent to user and provider, then the adherence monitoring effectiveness is improved, but the loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the critical adherence information (container opening events) from the overall usage pattern and transmits this filtered data to the mobile device and healthcare provider. By focusing on key events rather than continuous data streams, the system minimizes information loss while maintaining effective adherence monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachable device creates a digital copy of the adherence data (container opening events) and transmits this copy to the mobile device and healthcare provider's systems. This copying approach allows the original physical container to remain unchanged while creating persistent digital records of adherence behavior that can be reviewed without affecting the physical medication supply.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are provided for assisting users with adherence to a medication regimen. An attachable device includes a sensor module releasably attached to an adapter, which is in turn attached to a medication container using a connector, such as adhesive tape. The sensor module can be removed from the adapter to change an included battery without removing the adapter from the medication container. The sensor module is in communication with a user device, such as a smart phone. A user can use an app on the user device to create a medicine regimen, or schedule, and send the schedule to the sensor module. The user can also set notification preferences on the user device to be sent to the sensor module. The sensor module includes audio and/or visual transducers that notify the user to take the medication at the scheduled times. The sensor module further includes one or more buttons that are pressed when a user opens the medication container. The button(s) are configured so the push action of the user required to open the container also presses at least one button. The sensor module records the actions of the user, including when the medication container is opened and when a dose of the medication is missed. The user actions can be transmitted to the user device, which can then transmit the recorded actions to a server. The sensor module may be configured to attempt communication with the user device on a periodic basis to conserve battery life.