Caregiver-Controlled Medication Dispensing via Wireless Schedule Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication dispensing devices are often cumbersome, confusing, and prone to errors, posing serious health risks due to incorrect medication administration.
Innovation Solution
A caregiver system and method that interfaces with and controls a medication dispensing device using wireless communication, allowing for user authentication, dose schedule management, and error mitigation through software applications on mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patients manually change medication reminders or products in existing dispensing devices, then the device can be operated, but the process becomes complicated and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless device (mobile phone, tablet, or computer) as an intermediary between the user and the medication dispensing device. This intermediary communicates wirelessly with the dispensing device, allowing users to control medication reminders and dispensing operations remotely through a user interface on the wireless device, thereby simplifying the interaction and reducing errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automated medication dispensing where the dispensing device automatically releases medications based on pre-programmed schedules and user authentication, eliminating the need for manual intervention in the dispensing process itself. The wireless device allows users to manage their own medication schedules independently
2Reliability
If existing dispensing devices rely on manual patient operation, then the device structure can be simple, but mistakes and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device serves as an intermediary that handles complex operations remotely, allowing the physical dispensing device to maintain a relatively simple structure while achieving high reliability through wireless communication and automated control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates authentication mechanisms and schedule verification feedback loops where the wireless device communicates with the dispensing device to verify user identity, check medication schedules, and confirm proper dispensing, thereby ensuring accuracy without requiring complex manual verification procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If medication reminders are manually adjusted by patients, then flexibility is provided, but complicated steps and potential errors are created
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device provides a user-friendly interface for modifying medication schedules, acting as an intermediary that translates simple user actions into precise schedule adjustments communicated to the dispensing device, making the process both flexible and easy to operate
Solution Approach 2:
Users can independently modify their own medication schedules through the wireless device without requiring assistance from healthcare providers or complex procedures, enabling flexible schedule adjustments while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a caregiver system and method for interfacing with and controlling an oral medication dispensing device. The system registers the caregiver and provides the caregiver a list of patients under the caregiver's care, as well as associated medication dose schedules for each of the one or more patients. The caregiver is provided reminders regarding doses and allowed to modify the dose schedule to generate a modified dose schedule. The modified does schedule is pushed to a patient system associated with a medication dispensing device.