Medicament Tray Assembly with Sensor Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current process of assembling medicament dispensing trays is time-consuming and laborious, especially for patients taking multiple medications, and there is a risk of incorrect medication filling, which can have serious consequences. Additionally, the preparation of tailor-made blister packs adds cost and requires pharmacists or technicians to handle tablets.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a tray housing with machine-readable identification codes and sensors to detect and record the correct mounting of drug blister strips according to a patient's prescription, assisted by software on a computational device to guide assembly and ensure accuracy, while also providing traceability and reducing the need for manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pharmacists manually count and prepare tablets for each patient, then medication can be provided to patients, but the process is time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated identification and verification. The sensor system automatically reads identification codes on blister strips and tray housings, and the software automatically verifies correctness, eliminating the need for manual counting and verification by pharmacists
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with automated systems. Sensors replace manual visual inspection, and software automation replaces manual verification procedures, significantly reducing the time and labor required for medication preparation
2Ease of operation
If pharmacists manually assemble dispensing trays with multiple containers for each day and time, then patients can receive organized medication, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback through the sensor system that automatically verifies whether the correct blister strips are placed in the correct tray housing positions. The software provides real-time verification and guidance, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual organization while ensuring correctness
Solution Approach 2:
The system handles multiple medications, dosing times, and scheduling requirements through a single automated platform. The software can manage complex prescriptions with multiple drugs and timing requirements without requiring separate manual processes for each
3Productivity
If tablets are removed from blister packs during preparation, then they can be placed in dispensing containers, but this adds time and cost to the process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by reading the identification code on the blister strip before it is placed in the tray housing. This allows verification to occur during the assembly process itself, eliminating the need for separate time-consuming steps of removing tablets and then verifying them
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the blister strip container with the dispensing system by allowing the blister strip to remain intact and be placed directly into the tray housing. The identification code on the blister strip is read by the sensor system, combining storage and identification functions in a single step
4Ease of manufacture
If dispensing trays or blister packs are filled manually, then medication can be prepared for patients, but there is a risk of incorrect medication being filled which can have serious consequences
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system provides immediate feedback by automatically reading and verifying identification codes on both the tray housing and blister strips. The software compares the scanned codes against the prescription requirements and provides real-time verification, eliminating reliance on manual accuracy and significantly reducing filling errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and verification with automated optical scanning systems. The sensor system automatically reads identification codes and the software automatically verifies correctness, eliminating human error in medication identification and placement
5Productivity
If large tailor-made blister packs are provided for weekly or monthly medication, then patients can receive organized medication supply, but this adds cost to the price of obtaining medication
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments medication into individual daily doses within a reusable tray housing. Instead of creating entirely new custom blister packs for each patient, the system uses standardized tray housings that can be filled with appropriate blister strips, reducing material costs while maintaining customization
Solution Approach 2:
The tray housing serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support, contains identification information for verification, and can be reused across different patients and prescriptions. This universal design reduces the need for disposable custom-made packs, lowering overall costs
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a system and method to assemble a medicament dispensing tray comprising a tray housing having a machine-readable tray housing identification code and a plurality of drug blister strips mounted to receptacles of the tray housing, each strip having a machine-readable strip identification code. The system typically comprises a holder to hold the tray housing while drug blister strips are mounted to the tray housing and comprising a holder housing configured to receive the tray housing, a first sensor configured to detect a tray housing identification code of the tray housing received within the holder housing, and a plurality of second sensors each configured to detect a strip identification code of the drug blister strip mounted to the tray housing received within the housing, and software executable on a computational device comprising program instructions configured to instruct an assembly operator on how to assemble the dispensing tray according to a patients prescription, to check that the prescription has been filled correctly, and/or to retain a retrievable record of the patient specific dispensing tray.