Battery-Powered Locking Cap for Prescription Adherence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug receptacles lack effective mechanisms to enforce adherence to prescription regimens, particularly in situations where abuse is likely or users have difficulty tracking administration, and there are no active systems to prevent access to expired prescription drugs once dispensed.
Innovation Solution
A charge adjustment device with a container identification module, charge determination module, and charge control module that wirelessly communicates with a remote data source to manage the battery charge of a cap locking mechanism, ensuring access to the prescription container is restricted based on regimen instructions, transit time, and prescription status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with battery is used to control access to the prescription container, then adherence to prescription regimen is improved and access control is enforced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional modules: a cap portion with battery and locking mechanism, and a container portion with data storage. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability for adherence control.
Solution Approach 2:
A microprocessor acts as an intermediary between the battery, locking mechanism, and regimen data. The microprocessor manages the interaction between components, controlling when the locking mechanism engages or disengages based on regimen instructions, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the battery charge duration is extended to cover the entire prescription period, then continuous access control is maintained, but the initial charge requirement becomes impractically large
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is pre-charged at the pharmacy before the prescription container is dispensed to the patient. This preliminary charging action ensures the battery has sufficient charge to cover the entire prescription period or until the next pharmacy visit, eliminating the need for large battery capacity while maintaining continuous access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes charge level detection that provides feedback to both the control mechanism and the pharmacy system. When the battery charge drops below a threshold, the locking mechanism prevents access and notifies the pharmacy, which can then recharge the battery remotely or instruct the patient to return for recharging.
3Measurement precision
If the locking mechanism requires precise charge level management to control access timing, then regimen adherence is enforced accurately, but the system complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically manages charge level monitoring and access control without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting charge levels and automatically engaging or disengaging the lock based on regimen timing, eliminating complex user operations while maintaining precise adherence enforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual charge monitoring and access control operations are replaced with electronic sensing and automated control. The system uses electronic charge level detection and automated locking/unlocking mechanisms controlled by a microprocessor, replacing what would otherwise require complex manual tracking and operation by the user.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures that the prescription container can only be accessed when authorized, preventing misuse and ensuring that expired or recalled prescriptions are no longer usable, thereby enhancing adherence to prescribed regimens and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a battery configured to store a charge
Implementation Method 2
The cap includes a solenoid that selectively prevents movement of the cap with respect to the container
Data Source
AI summary
A charge adjustment device, located at a residence, includes a container identification module, a charge determination module, and a charge control module. The container identification module is configured to determine a prescription identifier (RX ID) of a cap attached to a container. The charge determination module is configured to establish a connection with a remote data source over a network and, according to the RX ID, obtain information indicating a desired charge amount of a battery of the cap. The charge control module is configured to selectively control additional charge to be supplied to the battery based on the desired charge amount.