Motorized Medication Dispensing Cap with Automated Dosing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medication administration methods rely on human memory for timing and dosing, leading to errors, and existing pill containers lack sufficient segmentation and accessibility for visually impaired individuals and those with reading difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A medication dispensing apparatus that automatically dispenses specified doses at specified time intervals, featuring a dispensing cap with a motor, screen, and notification systems for audible and visual alerts, ensuring accurate and accessible medication administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If labels containing dosing instructions are applied to medication containers, then written instructions are provided, but the recipient and caregiver must still rely on memory to recall timing for each subsequent dose
Solution Approach 1:
The medication dispensing system automatically tracks and manages dosing schedules without requiring the recipient or caregiver to manually track time intervals. The system serves itself by automatically dispensing medication at the correct intervals and providing alerts, eliminating the need for human memory of dosing timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human memory and manual label-reading with an automated electronic control system that uses timers, microcontrollers, and notification mechanisms to manage dosing schedules and alert users.
2Weight of moving object
If pill containers having a plurality of separate chambers are used to segment medication into separate doses, then dosing segmentation is provided, but the containers usually do not have enough chambers to segment the entire medication container into separate doses and must be refilled frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing disc is divided into multiple compartments that can hold individual doses of medication. The system automatically sequences through these compartments, dispensing one dose at a time according to the prescribed schedule, eliminating the need for frequent refilling of traditional pill containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation by automatically transitioning from one medication compartment to the next in sequence, providing uninterrupted dosing throughout the week without requiring manual intervention to refill or reorganize medication chambers.
3Loss of information
If pill containers are used with lids labeled with days of the week, then dosing schedule information is provided, but the recipient and caregiver must still rely on memory to recall the timing for each subsequent dose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual label-reading system with an electronic notification system that uses visual displays and audible alerts to communicate dosing schedules. This substitution makes the information accessible to individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties, as the system provides both visual and auditory cues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates visual indicators such as colored LEDs or display elements that change color or illuminate to indicate dosing status, time intervals, and alerts. These visual changes provide intuitive, easily distinguishable information that does not rely on reading text labels.
4Extent of automation
If a motor is added to actuate the dispensing disc, then automated dosing is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical dosing mechanisms with an automated system that uses a motor-driven dispensing disc controlled by a microcontroller. This substitution simplifies the overall system by using electronic control logic to manage the mechanical components, reducing the need for complex mechanical linkages and manual operation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A medication dispensing apparatus is provided herein along with computer-useable instructions embodied on a microcontroller for control of said medication dispensing apparatus. Instructions may be embodied on the microcontroller to control a dosing of medication via a coupled motor. The microcontroller controls rotation of the motor to line up a cavity with a dispensing port such that medication from a medication container (e.g., pill bottle) is dispensed via the dispensing apparatus.