Medication Container Lid Scale for Real-Time Intake Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medication tracking systems are inadequate for accurately recording and verifying medication intake over a patient's lifetime, leading to potential errors, overdoses, and lack of reliable data for medical research.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates sensors, such as a scale, pill counter, and motion detector, into medication containers to track medication intake in real-time, using a mobile device application to log and verify medication data, and employing QR codes for initial setup and prescription linking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual recording methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of medication intake data deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical recording with automated electronic sensing systems. Sensors (weight sensors, motion detectors, light sensors) automatically detect and record medication intake events, eliminating the need for manual user input and thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The medication container system performs self-monitoring through integrated sensors that automatically detect when medication is accessed or dispensed. The system serves itself by autonomously tracking intake events without requiring user intervention, thus improving data accuracy while keeping the interface simple for users.
2Reliability
If automated sensing systems are integrated into medication containers, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (weight detection, motion detection, light detection) and communication capabilities into an integrated circuit board within the container. This merging of functions improves reliability by ensuring all sensors work together as a unified system while managing complexity through consolidation rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a medication storage vessel and an automated tracking device. The integrated sensors and communication module enable the container to perform monitoring, data transmission, and patient notification functions, improving reliability through comprehensive tracking while leveraging the existing container structure to minimize added complexity.
3Loss of information
If real-time tracking is implemented, then loss of information is reduced, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by transmitting data in cycles rather than continuously. The integrated circuit board communicates intake events and status information at scheduled intervals or upon detection of significant events (such as when the container is opened or medication is dispensed), thereby maintaining complete data tracking while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.
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
The system effectively minimizes medication errors by ensuring accurate tracking of intake, alerts patients and healthcare providers of adherence issues, and provides reliable data for medical research.
Implementation Method 1
The scale is configured to monitor the weight of the medication contained therein to determine if/when medication is dispensed
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus is equipped with sensors, including, but not limited to, a scale, a blister pack pill counter, and a motion detector, to provide insight to the system as to when the medicine bottle, medicine vial, and/or blister pack is accessed
Data Source
AI summary
A medication tracking system and apparatus, configured to facilitate the conscious self-administration of medicine by a user so as to prevent skipped doses, overdose, and missing/stolen medication. The system employs a mobile device application running on a mobile device of the user, which connects wirelessly to a tracking apparatus disposed within a lid of a medicine container or medicine vial. The system and apparatus are configured to enable patients to easily record their medication adherence without needing to rely of memory or counting pills. Scales within the vial and/or pill container detect when a dose is taken, and information is conveyed from the apparatus to the mobile device via Bluetooth™.