Medication Magazine with Integrated Electronics for Usage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medication management systems lack effective real-time notification and recording of medication usage, leading to potential errors in dosing and administration.
Innovation Solution
A medication magazine with integrated control electronics, blister sleeves, and blister cards that provides notifications and automatically records medication usage, ensuring accurate tracking and administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional medication storage containers are used, then simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but real-time notification and recording of medication usage cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional medication storage (blister cards in sleeves within compartments) with electronic notification and recording systems into a unified medication management device. The control electronics are integrated with the physical storage structure, merging passive storage with active monitoring and communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The medication storage container serves multiple functions: it physically stores medication in organized compartments, provides real-time notifications when medication should be taken, automatically records usage data, and communicates with remote systems. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding complexity only where needed to achieve reliable tracking.
2Reliability
If manual medication tracking is used, then device complexity is minimized, but errors in dosing and administration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when medication is removed from compartments, records the usage data, and sends notifications without requiring manual input from users. The automated detection and recording mechanisms eliminate human error while minimizing the need for complex user interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback through notifications when medication should be taken and automatically records when medication is actually taken. This closed-loop feedback system ensures dosing accuracy by comparing prescribed regimens with actual usage and alerting users or providers to any discrepancies.
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring and notification systems are implemented, then medication administration accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: physical storage compartments, electronic control systems, notification mechanisms, and communication modules. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled into the complete system, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Medication magazines including one or more compartments that hold respective sleeves of medication, as well as a respective blister card, are provided. The blister card(s) include blisters of medication, and the blister sleeve(s) include openings designed to align with the blisters of the blister card(s). The removal of medication from each blister may be automatically detected and digitally recorded, along with the time and the individual who removed the medication. In addition to permitting alignment of each blister on the blister card, the openings on the sleeve also permit the ejection of the medicine through the openings without being removed from the sleeve. Intelligent medication management systems configured to provide end-to-end management and monitoring for patient dosing regimens are also provided.