Medication Return Sensing for Diversion Risk Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inaccurate recording and mismanagement of unused or leftover prescription medications, leading to potential diversion, misuse, and safety issues in healthcare settings, as well as improper handling and disposal by patients, result in medication waste and increased risks.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a receiving unit with sensors and an analysis engine to detect and assess the risk of medication diversion, coupled with a scoring system for quantifying the probability of diversion, and a method for tracking medication use and return to ensure proper handling and disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual recording methods are used for medication tracking, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but accuracy and reliability of medication management deteriorate due to human error and intentional misrecording

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of medication recordingVSAvoidcomplexity of medication tracking system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical recording systems with automated sensor-based detection systems. Sensors detect medication presence, weight changes, and usage patterns automatically, eliminating human error in recording while maintaining system simplicity through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-monitoring through automated sensors that track medication without requiring active user input. The sensors automatically detect and record medication status, providing accurate tracking while reducing operational complexity for healthcare providers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automated sensor-based detection is implemented, then medication tracking accuracy improves, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of medication managementVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sensor technology to replace manual monitoring processes, achieving high reliability through automated detection of medication presence and status. The sensors provide consistent, objective data that improves reliability while the automated nature of the system actually reduces operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates real-time feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor medication status and provide immediate data to the management system. This feedback mechanism ensures high reliability by detecting issues promptly while streamlining the monitoring process through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If comprehensive medication tracking is implemented, then patient safety improves through reduced diversion and misuse, but loss of time increases due to monitoring and data management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication diversion and misuseVSAvoidtime for monitoring and data management

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual monitoring with automated sensor systems that continuously track medication without requiring healthcare provider intervention. This eliminates diversion and misuse while actually reducing time loss through automation of the monitoring process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous automated monitoring of medication from storage to administration, ensuring uninterrupted surveillance that prevents diversion and misuse. The continuous operation occurs without requiring active human involvement, thus preventing harmful factors while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Loss of substance

If manual medication disposal processes are used, then the system is simple to operate, but medication waste increases due to improper handling and disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication wasteVSAvoidease of medication disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual disposal processes with automated sensor-based detection systems that track medication through the disposal process. Sensors detect when medication is properly disposed of, reducing waste through accurate monitoring while the automated system simplifies the disposal process for healthcare providers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12569893B1Medication disposal systems and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 MIDAS HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medication disposal, e.g., at a medical institution or a pharmacy. For example, a system for medical disposal can comprise a receiving unit configured to receive a medication from a user. The medication can be an unused or leftover portion of a prescribed medication for a subject in need thereof. The system can comprise one or more sensors operatively coupled to the receiving unit. The one or more sensors can be configured to detect the medication received by the receiving unit. The system can comprise an analysis engine operatively coupled to the one or more sensors. The analysis engine can be configured to determine a score indicative of a management of the prescribed medication by the user, based at least in part on (i) the detection of the medication received.