Medical Package Tracking for Remaining Lifetime and Traceability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for managing medical packages, such as blood and vaccines, face challenges in accurately identifying and tracking products, leading to potential exposure to adverse storage conditions, confusion between packages, and unnecessary discarding due to incomplete or incorrect data entry, resulting in inefficiencies and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A sensor-based real-time temperature monitoring system is implemented, with each package equipped with a unique identifier and a tracking device that logs environmental parameters, calculates remaining product lifetime, and provides visual indicators, ensuring accurate tracking and minimization of data entry errors through a database-linked system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual data entry is used for tracking medical packages, then system complexity is reduced, but identification accuracy and tracking reliability deteriorate due to errors and incomplete entries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoididentification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device automatically performs data collection, storage, and transmission functions without requiring manual data entry. The device self-manages environmental parameter monitoring, calculation of remaining lifetime, and communication with the system, eliminating human error while maintaining simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical data entry operations are replaced by electronic sensing and automated data processing systems. Sensors automatically capture environmental parameters, and the tracking device's processor automatically calculates and stores data, replacing the manual writing and interpretation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual data entry is required at each movement, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming entries and frequent package movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidhandling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device continuously monitors environmental parameters and automatically logs data throughout the package's journey. This continuous automated operation eliminates interruptions for manual data entry at each movement, maintaining uninterrupted workflow and improving handling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking device acts as an intermediary between the package and the central system, automatically transmitting data when needed. This eliminates the need for manual data transfer at each movement point, reducing handling time while maintaining systematic tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If comprehensive tracking is implemented, then product quality assurance improves, but device complexity and data management requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality assuranceVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device performs multiple functions within a single integrated unit: environmental sensing, data logging, calculation of remaining lifetime, indicator control, and wireless communication. This multi-functionality provides comprehensive quality assurance without requiring multiple separate devices or complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Previously separate functions (temperature monitoring, data storage, calculation, indication, and communication) are merged into a single integrated tracking device. This consolidation maintains comprehensive quality assurance capabilities while simplifying the overall system structure and reducing data management complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11404151B2Medical package, system and method for managing medical package

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 TRIDENTIFY

AI summary

System for handling medical packages provided with at least one unique identifier and other relevant information. The system includes at least one tracking device arranged to accompany said package from the entry of the package in the system to a decision on administration of the package-specific product content to a recipient. The tracking device comprises an integrated data logger that records data on at least one environmental parameter affecting remaining lifetime of the product content, a calculation function that calculates a value for the remaining lifetime, and an integrated indicator device showing if the product content has a remaining useful lifetime. The tracking device has a unique device identity that can be read and associated with said unique identity code and the other relevant information so that all relevant data concerning the product content can be handled and transferred between system devices without risk of confusion.