Blister Pack Foil Integrity Detection Using Electromagnetic Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting tablet removal from drug blister packs are complex, costly, and not suitable for mass market use, as they require destruction of electrical structures integrated into the blister pack foil, leading to high production costs and regulatory issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a main body that accommodates the blister pack, featuring holes with transmission and reception coils to detect foil integrity, allowing for non-destructive monitoring of tablet removal and data transmission via a short-range radio module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If structure elements (conductor paths, antennas) are integrated directly into the blister pack sealing foil, then detection capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into separate components: the blister pack contains only simple conductor paths in the sealing foil, while the evaluation device contains the complex electronics, antennas, and processing units. This segmentation allows the simple foil to be manufactured easily while the complex detection functionality is concentrated in a separate, manageable device.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary evaluation device is introduced between the simple blister pack and the complex detection system. This intermediary device receives signals from the simple conductor paths in the foil and performs the complex evaluation functions, separating the simple packaging from the complex detection electronics.
2Reliability
If structure elements are applied onto the sealing foil with precise fit, then detection capability is improved, but costs increase linearly with the number of blister packs required
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation device is designed as a universal system that can detect multiple blister packs sequentially. Instead of requiring a new specialized foil for each pack, the same evaluation device with its complex electronics and antennas can be reused to detect multiple simple conductor path configurations in different blister packs, eliminating linear cost increase.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive specialized foils with integrated structures for each blister pack, the system uses simple, inexpensive conductor paths in standard foils and creates the complex detection functionality through software and electronics in the evaluation device, effectively copying the detection capability without copying the expensive hardware.
3Measurement precision
If destruction of electrical conductor paths is used for detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but the blister pack foil is damaged making it unsuitable for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electromagnetic electromagnetic fields generated by antennas to interact with the conductor paths in the sealing foil. By using electromagnetic induction and resonance effects, the system can detect the presence, position, and integrity of the conductor paths without requiring physical contact or mechanical destruction, thus avoiding foil damage while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical destruction approach is replaced with an electromagnetic detection system. Antennas generate electromagnetic fields that interact with the conductor paths through electromagnetic induction, allowing non-contact detection of foil integrity and tablet removal without any mechanical damage to the foil or its contents.
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
Enables simple, automated, and cost-effective detection of tablet removal without damaging the blister pack foil, facilitating mass market adoption and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
one transmission coil and at least two reception coils are arranged in the region of the holes in each case, said coils surrounding the respective hole, and wherein the reception coils are assigned to one another in respect of the transmission coil and arranged in such a way that, in the case where the foil resting on the main body in the region of the respective hole is undamaged, in particular free from rips, the difference of the voltages induced in the reception coils as a result of an electric current in the transmission coil lies below a predetermined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A device detects the removal of drugs from a drug blister pack. The device contains a base for receiving the drug blister pack which has a base surface which is configured for contact with the electrically conducting, metal foil that closes the pockets. In the region of the pockets, the base has holes that are configured for the passage of the drugs present in the pocket. In the region of the holes one transmitting coil and at least two receiving coils are each arranged and extend around the respective hole. The receiving coils are associated with each other with respect to the transmitting coil and are arranged such that when the foil resting against the base in the region of the respective hole is undamaged the difference of the voltages induced in the receiving coils by an electric current in the transmitting coil lies below a predetermined threshold value.