Digital Caliper Database Automation for Medication Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medication measurement processes are time-consuming and prone to errors due to manual handling with mechanical calipers, lacking guidance on which measurements to take and how to take them accurately.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for electronically collecting dimension measurements of medications or containers using a digital caliper connected to a computer, which provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for guiding operators, processing measurements for errors, and automatically storing them, including the ability to calculate derived values based on tolerance thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement with mechanical calipers is used, then measurement capability is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to operator errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical caliper operations with an automated digital measurement system. The system uses a digital caliper connected to a computer that automatically captures measurement data, eliminating manual reading and transcription errors while maintaining measurement capability through electronic data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system performs self-verification through automated error checking and validation routines. The computer automatically checks measured values against expected ranges and flags anomalies, enabling the system to self-correct and validate measurements without requiring operator expertise or intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If automated digital measurement system is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computer system performs multiple functions: it collects measurement data from the digital caliper, displays measurement guides and instructions, automatically processes and validates measurements, stores data in a database, and generates reports. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The computer acts as an intermediary between the digital caliper and the database, handling all processing, validation, and data management tasks. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing control and eliminating the need for complex direct connections between measurement devices and storage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual data entry is used, then time consumption is high, but error rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual data entry operations with automated electronic data capture. The digital caliper directly transmits measurement values to the computer, eliminating the manual transcription process that causes both time delays and transcription errors, thereby simultaneously improving productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback loops where measurement data is immediately validated against predefined criteria, and error messages are automatically generated if measurements fall outside acceptable ranges. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures data accuracy without requiring manual verification, improving both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If comprehensive measurement guidance is provided, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidsoftware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The software acts as an intermediary that translates complex measurement requirements into simple, step-by-step visual instructions displayed on the computer screen. The measurement guide shows operators exactly which dimensions to measure and how to position the caliper, reducing the cognitive load on operators while maintaining comprehensive measurement control through the software layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9909849B2Method and system for measuring medication and automatic loading of a database

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 OMNICELL INC

AI summary

A system and method for measuring medication includes providing a graphical user interface (GUI) including a representation of a medication or a medication container. An indication to measure at least one dimension of the medication or the medication container is provided in the GUI. At least one signal including at least one measured dimension of the medication or the medication container is received by one or more processors that process and store the at least one measured dimension. The at least one measured dimension is provided in the GUI in association with the indication to measure the at least one dimension of the medication or the medication container.