Synchronized Medication Tracking System with Barcode Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients, especially elderly ones, often forget to take their medications correctly due to forgetfulness or carelessness, and existing solutions like drug boxes and alarm systems are inadequate, particularly for those requiring continuous medication, as they lack personalized tracking and notification for relatives.

Innovation Solution

A synchronized medication tracking system comprising a portable cartridge and a filling device that loads medications according to prescriptions, with an accompanying application for tracking and alerting patients and their relatives, ensuring accurate dosing and timely administration, and providing reminders and refill warnings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If simple drug boxes are prepared for daily use, then medication organization is improved, but error correction is not possible when wrong pills are placed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication organizationVSAvoiderror correction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by scanning medication barcodes before final placement in the weekly organizer. The mobile application pre-configures the correct medication schedule and verifies each pill placement against the planned schedule, preventing errors before they occur rather than requiring correction after placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback through the mobile application when a medication is scanned or placed, confirming whether it matches the expected medication for that time slot. The system tracks and notifies users of any discrepancies, enabling real-time error detection and correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If alarm systems are added to medication boxes, then patient reminders are improved, but remote notification to relatives is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient reminderVSAvoidremote notification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile application serves as an intermediary between the physical medication box alarm and the patient's relatives. When the alarm is triggered or medication status changes, the system automatically sends notifications through the mobile application to designated family members, enabling remote monitoring without requiring them to be physically present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the purely mechanical local alarm with an integrated electronic notification system that uses mobile technology. The mobile application substitutes for traditional alarm systems by providing both local reminders and remote digital notifications to relatives, eliminating the limitation of physical proximity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If medication instructions are written on boxes, then dosing information is provided, but elderly patients with reading problems cannot access this information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing information deliveryVSAvoidaccessibility for elderly patients

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces text-based written instructions with audio-visual digital notifications delivered through the mobile application. The system can provide dosing instructions through spoken alerts, visual icons, and simplified interface elements that are accessible to elderly patients with reading difficulties, while maintaining accurate medication tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Extent of automation

If robotic systems are used for drug distribution in large pharmacies, then automated drug delivery is improved, but personalized patient approaches are not included

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated drug deliveryVSAvoidpersonalized patient approach

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines automated tracking capabilities with personalized patient management in a single platform. The mobile application provides automated medication tracking and monitoring while simultaneously offering personalized features such as custom notification schedules, family member assignments, individual medication profiles, and tailored reminders based on each patient's specific needs and preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11344477B2Synchronized medication tracking system

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 T C ISTANBUL UNIVERSITESI

AI summary

It is vital to use the right medicine at the right time, at the right dose while taking medicines; forgetting to take medicines is a problem seen in patients with forgetfulness or carelessness, especially elderly patients, and in patients who are on continuous medication and/or have to use a medicine for a certain period. The synchronized medication tracking system of the present invention is designed to solve the problems of the patients. The present invention includes a cartridge that can be carried on patients at all times, a filling device for placing the medicines in portable cartridges, and an application to allow tracking this information.