Nasal Spray Usage Sensing for Controlled Dose Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intranasal spray devices for medications like ketamine pose risks of abuse, misuse, and theft due to their addictive nature, leading to inconvenient and burdensome healthcare visits for patients.
Innovation Solution
A locking dispensing device with a vial lock and dose lock mechanism, integrated with a computing device, that prevents removal and administration of medication, includes sensors and biometric authentication to control dosage and usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional intranasal spray devices are used for medication delivery, then the medication can be easily administered, but the risk of abuse, misuse, and theft increases due to the addictive nature of the medication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary between the patient and the medication. The computing device authenticates the patient's identity and controls the dispensing mechanism, acting as a mediator that prevents unauthorized access while allowing legitimate patients to receive medication easily. This resolves the contradiction by adding a controlled layer between the user and the drug.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical spray mechanism with an electronically controlled dispensing system. The dispensing mechanism is controlled by a computing device that can authenticate users and control medication release, substituting pure mechanical operation with an intelligent control system that prevents abuse while maintaining ease of use for authorized patients.
2Reliability
If patients receive larger dosages or more frequent supplies of medication, then the treatment effectiveness improves, but the risk of abuse and misuse increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the computing device monitors and tracks medication dispensing. The system records authentication events and dispensing information, providing feedback that allows healthcare providers to monitor patient compliance and detect potential abuse patterns. This enables effective treatment while maintaining oversight to prevent misuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires preliminary authentication before medication dispensing. The computing device verifies the patient's identity and authorization status before allowing access to the medication, performing the safety check in advance. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized patients receive medication, enabling effective treatment while preventing abuse from the outset.
3Reliability
If patients visit healthcare providers frequently to receive medication, then the control over medication usage improves, but the convenience and accessibility of treatment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to self-administer medication at home using the portable dispensing device controlled by a computing device. Patients authenticate themselves and receive medication without needing to visit healthcare providers frequently. This self-service approach maintains control over usage through electronic authentication while dramatically improving convenience and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical healthcare visit system with an electronic authentication and remote dispensing system. Instead of requiring patients to physically travel to providers, the computing device handles authentication and controls medication release remotely. This substitution maintains usage control while eliminating the burden of frequent travel.
4Reliability
If the dispensing device includes locking mechanisms and authentication systems, then the control over medication dispensing improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into separate components: a portable dispensing device and a computing device. The authentication and control functions are separated from the actual medication dispensing mechanism. This segmentation allows the dispensing device itself to remain relatively simple while the computing device handles the complex authentication and control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device serves multiple functions: it authenticates the patient, controls the dispensing mechanism, monitors usage, and provides feedback to healthcare providers. By making the computing device multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable control.
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal spray device can include housing having a sensor and a nozzle having a housing interface with a graphical image thereon. The sensor can be configured to sense movement of the graphical image when the nozzle moves relative to the housing, for instance during administration of medicine from the nasal spray device. The sensor can include an infrared proximity sensor that senses infrared reflectivity from the graphical image. The infrared proximity sensor can also be used to measure distance to a surface of a vial within the housing to thereby detect insertion of the vial into the housing.