Dispensing Lock Control With Timed Relocking and Dose Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product distribution devices, particularly for medications like opioid painkillers, lock after a full dose is delivered, preventing double dosing but require a dose to be dispensed before relocking, and lack mechanisms to prevent accidental or unwanted dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A device with locking means that unlock for a predetermined time, automatically relock if no product is dispensed, and engage if a threshold is reached, incorporating fingerprint or voice authentication for activation, and includes timers and counters to manage dosing intervals and quantities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the assistance device locks after a full dose is delivered for the entire scheduled interval between doses, then overdosing and unauthorized use are prevented, but the patient cannot take a double dose when pain is too severe and the device requires a dose to be dispensed before relocking
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic system with multiple states: locked, unlocked with timer active, and unlocked with threshold monitoring. This allows the device to adapt its behavior based on real-time conditions, enabling double dosing when medically necessary while maintaining safety through automatic relocking after a predetermined period or when a threshold quantity is reached
2Ease of operation
If the locking means remain unlocked indefinitely after activation, then the patient can access the product when needed, but product waste occurs if no product is dispensed and unauthorized use risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system预先 sets a predetermined time period and threshold quantity before the user activates the device. When the device is activated, these pre-set parameters automatically trigger the relocking action, ensuring that if the patient does not use the product within the expected timeframe or exceeds the threshold, the device automatically locks to prevent waste and unauthorized use
Solution Approach 2:
The device continuously monitors the quantity of product dispensed and the elapsed time since activation. This feedback mechanism compares real-time data against the pre-set threshold and time period, automatically triggering the locking mechanism when either limit is reached, thereby preventing product waste and unauthorized access
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device allows repeated actuations until the end of the predetermined period, then the patient has flexibility in dosing, but the risk of overdose increases if the locking mechanisms are accidentally unlocked
Solution Approach 1:
The device pre-establishes a threshold quantity that represents the maximum safe dose within the predetermined period. This preliminary safety threshold acts as a countermeasure against potential overdose, automatically preventing further dispensing even if the device is accidentally unlocked or repeatedly actuated, thereby neutralizing the harmful effect before it can occur
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
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AI summary
The device for assisting (2) in the use of a device (1) for dispensing a product comprises: - means for rigidly securing it to the dispensing device (1), - means for locking (17) the dispensing device (1) which are capable of preventing or permitting dispensing of the product, and - means for measuring a quantity of product dispensed by the dispensing device (1). Said device (2) is designed such that the locking means (17) remain unlocked for a preset period of time starting from a a preset activation of the assistance device (2) and then lock automatically at the end of the preset period. Said device is further designed such that the locking means (17) lock automatically when a quantity of product dispensed during the preset period reaches or exceeds a preset threshold.