Blister Package Compliance Holder with Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blister packaging systems rely on patient compliance for administering medication, which can lead to overdosing or missed doses, especially in elderly patients, as they may forget to take medication at the correct time, and existing compliance checking methods do not provide information on when specific blisters were opened.
Innovation Solution
A device with a holder and embedded circuitry that uses light-sensitive elements and an adjustable light source to detect the rupture of foil backing strips, ensuring accurate compliance monitoring by comparing the state of the foil regions with a stored prescription schedule, and allowing remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual checking methods are used to monitor blister package compliance, then the pharmacist can check if blisters have been opened, but the system does not provide information on when specific blisters were opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual checking with an automated optical detection system. Light-sensitive elements detect whether blisters have been opened by sensing changes in light transmission through the blister pack, automatically recording compliance status without requiring pharmacist intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light-sensitive elements as intermediaries between the blister pack and the detection system. These elements convert physical changes in the blister pack (opened vs. closed) into detectable electrical signals, enabling automated monitoring and timing recording.
2Device complexity
If ambient light is used to illuminate the blister package for detection, then no additional light source is needed, but ambient light intensity may adversely affect the detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic lighting system that can adapt to ambient light conditions. The adjustable light source intensity allows the system to maintain optimal detection accuracy regardless of whether the device is used in bright or dim environments, while still having the option to use only ambient light when sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameter (light intensity) to optimize detection. By adjusting the light source intensity, the system ensures that sufficient light reaches the light-sensitive elements to detect blister opening status accurately, compensating for variations in ambient light conditions.
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 device effectively checks for non-compliance by determining if blisters have been opened and records the time of non-compliance, providing critical information for patient health management and enabling timely medical intervention.
Implementation Method 1
uses light-sensitive elements and an adjustable light source to detect the rupture of foil backing strips
Data Source
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AI summary
A holder (12) for checking non-compliance of a blister package, has a pocket (60) into which the blister package is inserted for carrying out the check. The holder comprises a shallow box (121) with its front face providing the back of the pocket (60). The front of the pocket is provided by a transparent plate (128) spaced from the box and supported by transparent side walls (122,123). The side walls are formed with opposed channels (124) which engage respective marginal edges of a blister package when it is slid downwards to a predetermined position inside the pocket (60). An array of rectangular openings or wells (133) are formed in the front face of the box (121) and are positioned to respectively locate behind the blisters of the blister package when at the predetermined position. Each well contains eight light-sensitive elements (134). Non-compliance occurs when one of the blisters of a used blister package returned by the patient is still in an unopened condition. The sensing elements (134) detect this by ambient light in the pocket not reaching the elements (134) as it is blocked off by an intact region of a friable foil backing strip provided on the blister package. An electrical circuit in the box (121) monitors the elements (134) and provides an output signal indicating that a non- compliance condition exists if a particular blister in the returned package is unopened. Information identifying the position of the unopened blister and the time at which the check occurred is stored in the circuit so that it can be accessed by interrogating the holder. If the ambient illumination is found to be inadequate to produce a clear distinction between compliance and non-compliance, a variable light source (not shown) can be provided to transmit supplementary light into the interior of the pocket by way of the transparent side walls (122,123) and plate (128).