Medication Dispensing Lid with Segmented Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prescription medication containers fail to prevent misuse of opioids by allowing users to access all pills at once, leading to potential abuse and misuse, especially in the context of the opioid epidemic.
Innovation Solution
A container locking lid system that includes a lid assembly with a dispensing structure and a processing device to control the dispensing of medication, ensuring that only a prescribed dosage is accessible at a time, using a unique tool to secure the lid and prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional prescription medication containers allow users to access all pills at once, then ease of operation is improved, but medication misuse and abuse increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container lid is divided into multiple segments or positions, each corresponding to a specific dosage interval. The lid can only be opened to specific segmented positions that align with prescribed dosing times, physically preventing access to all pills at once while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate use.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid assembly incorporates a dynamic mechanism that changes its state based on time or usage conditions. The lid transitions between locked and unlocked states automatically or through controlled movement, allowing access only at appropriate intervals while preventing misuse at inappropriate times.
2Reliability
If a locking lid system is implemented to prevent medication misuse, then medication safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly incorporates automatic mechanisms such as time-based sensors, motorized actuators, or mechanical timers that control lid opening without requiring complex user authentication or intervention. The system serves itself by automatically locking and unlocking at predetermined intervals, reducing the need for complex control systems while maintaining high safety standards.
3Measurement precision
If a processing device is added to control dispensing intervals, then dosage precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic processing devices with simpler mechanical timing mechanisms, such as mechanical timers, spring-loaded indicators, or gear-based interval counters. These mechanical systems provide sufficient dosage timing precision without requiring microprocessors, sensors, or complex control algorithms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a container forming an interior volume configured to store products and a lid assembly configured to secure to the container. The lid assembly includes a lid housing forming an opening. The products are to be dispensed from the interior volume via the opening. The lid assembly further includes a dispensing structure configured to load a portion of the products to be dispensed. The lid assembly further includes a cover structure configured to selectively unblock the opening to allow the portion of the products to be dispensed. The lid assembly further includes a processing device configured to determine that the portion of the products is to be dispensed and cause the cover structure to be actuated to unblock the opening to allow dispensing of the portion of the products.