Frangible Circuit Sheet for Accurate Dosage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for storing and dispensing medical and dietary dosage forms are prone to human error, inefficiencies, and inadequate tracking and billing, particularly in automated dispensing systems, leading to incorrect distribution and administration of medications.
Innovation Solution
A frangible electrical circuit sheet integrated into dosage form packages, featuring interconnected electrically conductive trace subnetworks and unique circuit elements, which break when a dosage form is removed, allowing for real-time tracking and monitoring through changes in resistance measured by a connected computer system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual procedures are used for inventory, processing, packaging, and distributing dosage forms, then flexibility in handling various dosage forms is maintained, but human error occurs leading to incorrect distribution and administration
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit sheet is divided into multiple electrically conductive trace subnetworks, with each subnetwork associated with a specific cavity. This segmentation allows individual tracking of each dosage form location while maintaining system-wide monitoring capability, resolving the contradiction between reliable tracking and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each circuit element has unique values that differ from one another, creating local differentiation in the circuit network. This allows the system to identify specific cavity openings through local electrical property changes, enabling precise tracking without requiring complex centralized control for each individual location.
2Reliability
If automated dispensing systems are implemented to reduce human error, then accuracy of medication administration improves, but inefficiencies and inadequate tracking persist
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible electrical circuit sheet is pre-integrated into the dosage form package during manufacturing, with circuit elements positioned to break upon cavity opening. This preliminary integration ensures automatic tracking is already in place before the dispensing process begins, eliminating the need for separate tracking systems and improving overall efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical process of manual tracking and monitoring is replaced with an electrical sensing system. The frangible circuit elements provide automatic electrical signals when broken, substituting manual verification processes with automated electrical detection, thereby improving both accuracy and efficiency.
3Loss of information
If frangible electrical circuit sheet with multiple circuit elements is integrated into dosage form package, then real-time tracking of dosage form removal is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible electrical circuit sheet is merged with the dosage form package as a unitary structure, with the circuit sheet integrated directly into the package assembly. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled during manufacturing, offsetting the increased complexity of the circuit integration itself.
4Measurement precision
If unique circuit element values are assigned to each subnetwork, then precise identification of opened cavities is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit elements utilize variable electrical parameters (resistance, capacitance, or inductance values) that can be adjusted within tolerances to provide unique identification. This approach allows for precise cavity identification through parameter differentiation rather than requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on physical placement, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
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 system ensures accurate tracking and recording of dosage form administration, reducing errors and enhancing efficiency in dispensing, especially in emergency situations or multiple medication dispensing scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A frangible electrical circuit sheet integrated into dosage form packages, featuring interconnected electrically conductive trace subnetworks and unique circuit elements, which break when a dosage form is removed
Implementation Method 2
allowing for real-time tracking and monitoring through changes in resistance measured by a connected computer system
Data Source
AI summary
A frangible electrical circuit sheet for a dosage form package includes a first plurality of electrically conductive trace subnetworks interconnected with one another to form a network of electrically conductive traces and disposed on the sheet. The sheet further includes a second plurality of circuit elements connected to the network of electrically conductive traces such that each circuit element is associated with one of the subnetworks. At least some of the circuit elements have element values that differ from one another.