Medication Dispenser Rotating Disk Schedule Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medication dispensers lack mechanisms to regulate medication consumption according to a scheduled plan and do not provide data reporting capabilities to ensure adherence and accountability.

Innovation Solution

A medication dispenser with a rotatable distribution disk and a mobile computing device that indexes compartments based on user inputs and stored schedules, allowing controlled access and tracking of medication consumption, along with an auxiliary motor for door operation to manage compartment access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a patient can access multiple compartments at once, then the patient has flexibility to take medications as needed, but the patient may consume medication at a rate higher than the established consumption schedule and develop addiction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of medication accessVSAvoidadherence to consumption schedule

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The medication storage system is segmented into multiple compartments arranged in annular arrays, with each compartment designated for specific medications and time periods. The distribution disk segments the medication access chronologically, allowing only one compartment to be accessed at a time based on the current index position, thereby preventing premature or excessive consumption while maintaining organized flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates consumption tracking mechanisms that monitor which compartments have been accessed and provide feedback to both the patient and medical personnel. This feedback loop ensures adherence to the consumption schedule by tracking usage patterns and alerting relevant parties if deviations occur, thus maintaining reliability while allowing operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If there are no mechanisms to track consumption, then the system is simple to operate, but there is no way to report consumption data to medical personnel to confirm adherence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of system operationVSAvoidconsumption data reporting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The medication dispenser automatically tracks consumption data through its indexing mechanism and compartment access detection, eliminating the need for manual logging by the patient. The system self-monitors which compartments are accessed and when, then automatically reports this information to medical personnel, maintaining ease of operation while preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual consumption tracking with automated electronic or digital tracking systems integrated into the dispenser. Sensors, motors, and communication modules substitute for manual record-keeping, automatically capturing and transmitting consumption data to medical personnel, thus maintaining simplicity for the patient while ensuring complete data reporting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the distribution disk is manually rotated, then the patient can access different compartments, but there is no control over when specific compartments become accessible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of compartmentsVSAvoidcontrolled indexing of distribution disk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution disk rotates in periodic intervals corresponding to the consumption schedule, with each rotation bringing the next appropriate compartment into the access position. This periodic indexing ensures that compartments become accessible only at the correct time intervals, providing controlled automation while maintaining regular operational patterns that are easy to understand and follow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual rotation of the distribution disk is replaced with an automated motorized indexing system that rotates the disk according to the programmed consumption schedule. The motorized system provides precise, controlled positioning of compartments without requiring patient intervention, thereby increasing automation while ensuring accurate timing of medication access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20220013207A1Medication dispenser and method of dispensing medication

Publication Date: 2022.01.13 KELLETT ROBERT

AI summary

Medication dispensers and methods of dispensing medication are provided. A medication dispenser includes an exterior body defining an interior, and a distribution disk disposed within the interior, the distribution disk defining a plurality of compartments, the plurality of compartments disposed in at least one annular array, the distribution disk rotatably indexable about a central axis. The medication dispenser further includes a dispenser drawer in selective communication with one of the plurality of compartments disposed in the at least one annular array. The medication dispenser further includes a motor connected to the distribution disk, the motor operable to rotatably index the distribution disk about the central axis. Rotatable indexing of the distribution disk causes an adjustment in the one of the plurality of compartments disposed in the at least one annular array which is in communication with the dispenser drawer.