Combinatorial Drug Module Verification via Serial Bus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combinatorial drug delivery devices with serially-connected modules lack a mechanism to ensure drug accuracy and correct sequencing, posing a risk of medication errors due to the absence of a tray-based safety check.
Innovation Solution
Implement a master controller with a computing processing unit that serially interrogates secondary controllers through a communication bus, using unique addresses and alphanumeric codes to verify the accuracy and sequencing of drug modules, and actuate a flow controller upon authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If serially-connected modules are used without tray-based mechanical means, then component efficiency and supply chain are improved, but the ability to prevent configuration errors and ensure drug accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tray-based configuration verification system with an electronic identification and verification system. Each module contains an RFID tag or similar electronic identifier, and the system uses a controller to read and verify these identifiers, ensuring correct module configuration without requiring a physical tray structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification system consisting of electronic identifiers (RFID tags, barcodes) and a controller that mediates between the modules and the final drug delivery process. This intermediary layer provides the safety check that would otherwise require a mechanical tray structure.
2Reliability
If tray-based mechanical safety checks are implemented, then configuration error prevention is improved, but device complexity and component efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex mechanical tray structure by substituting it with electronic identification and verification. Instead of relying on physical tray features to ensure correct module placement, the system uses electronic tags and controllers to verify module identities and configurations programmatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the verification function from the mechanical tray structure and places it into separate electronic components (RFID tags, barcodes, and controllers). This separation allows the verification logic to be independent of the physical delivery mechanism, simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Measurement precision
If serial interrogation of modules is implemented, then drug accuracy verification is improved, but communication system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal communication protocol that allows the same communication bus to perform multiple functions: identifying modules, verifying their configurations, and controlling their operation. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate communication systems for each verification task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-verification where each module contains its own electronic identifier and can be independently queried by the controller. The modules essentially verify themselves through their electronic tags, reducing the complexity of external verification systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a combinatorial drug delivery device is provided herein including: a plurality of serially connectable modules, each including at least one drug component; and, a master controller having a computing processing unit. Each of the modules includes: a non-transitory memory having stored therein an address and an alphanumeric code representative of the at least one drug component contained in the corresponding drug module; a secondary controller operatively linked to the memory of the corresponding module; and, at least one communication bus connectable in series with the communication buses of the modules serially connected with the corresponding module. The master controller is configured to serially interrogate the secondary controllers over the serially-connected communication buses, using the addresses, to request the codes of the corresponding modules. Advantageously, the subject invention provides for a system to confirm the accuracy of drugs provided with the device and the correct sequencing thereof.