External Blister Sensor for Medication Dispensing Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for monitoring and dispensing medication from blisters are complex and costly to produce, particularly those with electrical circuits printed on blisters, and lack flexibility for use with various blister types.
Innovation Solution
A device that attaches to blisters, featuring a sound sensor to register medication dispensing, a time system to track dispensing times, and a memory to store data, along with an authentication system to verify the authenticity of the blister, and a warning system to remind users when to take medication, allowing for use on multiple blister types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical circuits are printed on the blister to monitor dispensing, then dispensing monitoring capability is achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical circuits with a simple acoustic sensor system. Instead of using electrical circuits printed on the blister, the invention uses a sound sensor to detect the characteristic sound of blister rupture, thereby monitoring dispensing through acoustic signals rather than electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sound as an intermediary medium to transfer information about dispensing. The characteristic sound of blister rupture serves as a mediator that carries information from the blister to the sensor, enabling monitoring without direct electrical contact or complex circuitry.
2Reliability
If electrical circuits are printed on the blister to monitor dispensing, then dispensing monitoring capability is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive electrical circuit printing with a simple acoustic detection system. The sound sensor and processing electronics are separate from the blister, eliminating the need for complex circuit printing on the blister itself and reducing overall production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats the blister as a disposable component that does not require expensive embedded electronics. Instead of making the blister itself intelligent with printed circuits, the invention uses a reusable external device with the sensor, making the disposable blister simple and cheap to manufacture.
3Measurement precision
If a device is designed for specific blister types, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but adaptability to various blister types decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal monitoring device that can work with different blister types. The sound sensor detects the characteristic rupture sound common to various blisters, and the system can be configured to recognize different sound patterns, enabling one device to monitor multiple blister types without requiring type-specific design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the acoustic domain to achieve versatility. By detecting different sound frequency, amplitude, or temporal characteristics of blister rupture, the system can adapt to various blister types while maintaining accurate monitoring through acoustic parameter analysis rather than physical structure matching.
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 simplifies medication tracking and authentication, providing flexibility across various blister types, ensuring users take medications correctly and ensuring authenticity, while being cost-effective and easy to produce.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor arrangement including at least one first sensor arranged to register the sound of the dispense of a piece of medicament
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention concerns a device (14) adapted to be releasable attached to a blister (10) including at least one piece of medicament (13). The device (14) comprises means for releasable attachment to said blister (10) a sensor arrangement including at least one first sensor arranged to register the sound of the dispense of a piece of medicament (13), a time system arranged to register the time and/or date of the dispensing of said piece of medicament (13) and a memory for storing data, such as time and/or date data, related to the dispense of said piece of medicament.