Medication Adherence Cap with Multi-Sensor Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low medication adherence among outpatients, with only 20% taking their prescribed medications as instructed, leading to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

Innovation Solution

A medication adherence apparatus that includes a cap device with sensors to track the cap state, such as the weight, orientation, and temperature of a medication container, sending reminders and adherence data to a mobile application and cloud server for real-time monitoring and feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional medication management without monitoring is used, then device complexity is low, but medication adherence is poor (only 20% compliance)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication adherenceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic tracking of medication adherence through sensors that detect cap removal and container weight changes, eliminating the need for manual patient reporting. The apparatus self-monitors and communicates adherence data to healthcare providers, improving reliability while minimizing patient burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements real-time feedback loops where sensor data about medication usage is transmitted to both patients and healthcare providers. This feedback mechanism allows for immediate monitoring of adherence patterns and enables timely interventions to improve compliance rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If manual tracking methods are used, then ease of operation is high, but loss of information occurs (no real-time monitoring data)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadherence dataVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual tracking methods with automated sensor-based detection. Force sensors, proximity sensors, and weight sensors automatically detect and record medication usage events, eliminating information loss associated with manual tracking while requiring minimal patient effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus acts as an intermediary between the medication container and the monitoring system. Sensors detect physical interactions (cap removal, weight changes) and convert them into digital adherence data, ensuring accurate information transmission without requiring direct patient input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If simple container design is used, then ease of manufacture is high, but measurement precision is insufficient (cannot track adherence accurately)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap state detectionVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cap device serves multiple functions: it acts as a closure for the medication container, houses multiple types of sensors (force, proximity, weight, temperature), and provides a user interface. This multi-functionality enables precise adherence tracking while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system is nested within the cap structure. Force sensors, proximity sensors, and other detection elements are integrated into the cap housing, allowing precise measurement capabilities to be embedded within a compact, manufacturable design without requiring separate external monitoring devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances patient adherence to medication regimens by providing real-time feedback and reminders, reducing healthcare costs and improving therapeutic outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

The force sensor is operably disposed under the top portion of the bottom connector as to detect the force or weight of the container element secured into the second cap device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Implementation Method 2

The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the cap device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 3

The proximity sensor senses when the container element is present or absent from the cap device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11826314B2Medication adherence apparatus and methods of use

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 SENSAL HEALTH LLC

AI summary

Provided herein are systems, methods and apparatuses for a medication adherence apparatus and methods of use. A method of adhering to medical prescription requirements combines sensors and hardware to record a cap state including an orientation, temperature, time stamp, and location of a cap device to enhance a patient's adherence to medical prescription when operably coupled with a computing device.