Ingestible Medication Tag for Delivery Confirmation

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a system to track pharmaceutical products from manufacturers to patients, ensuring authenticity and proper delivery, especially in remote areas where medical facilities are limited and providers may not be able to read or understand medication labels.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a computer system with a processor that uses a unique identifier device secured to the medication, a patient interface device, and a datacenter database to track and confirm the origin, type, and dosage of medication, including ingestible or injectable tags that provide a unique identity for verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pharmaceutical products are tracked through the supply chain using identifier devices, then product authenticity and delivery confirmation are improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct authenticity verificationVSAvoidtracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identifier device is embedded within or attached to the pharmaceutical product packaging, creating a nested structure where the tracking system is integrated into the product itself rather than being a separate external system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic tracking and verification where the identifier device on the product communicates with the database independently, reducing the need for manual verification processes and complex intermediary systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If unique identifier devices are attached to each medication dosage, then delivery confirmation accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery confirmation accuracyVSAvoidmedication manufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The identifier device is attached to the medication dosage during the manufacturing process, specifically to the syringe or container before the medication is administered, allowing tracking to be established in advance rather than requiring post-manufacturing intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The identifier device is integrated with the medication container or packaging structure, combining the tracking function with the existing medication delivery system rather than requiring separate attachment processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If patient interface devices detect unique identity at the time of medication administration, then patient safety is improved, but operational complexity in remote areas increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidoperation in remote areas
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patient interface device provides immediate feedback by detecting the unique identifier and confirming whether the correct medication is being administered, allowing real-time verification without requiring complex manual checking procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual verification methods with automated electronic detection, where the patient interface device automatically reads the unique identifier and verifies medication details, eliminating the need for providers to manually read and interpret complex labeling information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10529044B2Tracking and delivery confirmation of pharmaceutical products
Publication Date: 2020.01.07 OTSUKA PHARM CO LTD
  • US10529044B2 patent drawing
  • US10529044B2 patent drawing
  • US10529044B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method are disclosed that track a deliverable to a user. The system includes an identifier or tag secured to the deliverable, a computer system for interrogating the identifier, and a personal device in communication with the computer system, wherein the personal device is held by the user at the time the user is administered the deliverable to detect the unique identity associated with the identifier device and confirms delivery of the deliverable to the user. The method includes attaching an identifiable tag that produces a unique signature to the deliverable, interrogating the tag at about the time of delivery to the user, and confirming that the user has been administered the deliverable through detecting the identifiable tag.