Non-resettable Animal Medication Reminder Tag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current companion animal medication reminder devices are often complex, costly, and lack effectiveness in ensuring timely administration, as they can be easily reset or ignored, leading to reduced compliance and potential health risks due to ingestion.
Innovation Solution
A non-resettable, waterproof, shock-resistant, and non-toxic companion animal reminder tag that emits audio and visual alarms after a pre-programmed time interval, designed to be safely attached to the animal and incapable of being turned off, using materials like plastics and epoxy to ensure safety and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prior art reminder devices are made programmable and resettable, then user flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but compliance reliability deteriorates because users can easily reset or turn off the reminder signal
Solution Approach 1:
The reset function is extracted and removed from the device. The patent explicitly states that the device 'lacks a reset button' and is 'non-resettable,' preventing users from turning off the reminder signal. This extraction of the problematic reset capability resolves the contradiction by maintaining user flexibility in setting the reminder while eliminating the ability to compromise compliance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing a resettable device that users can turn off, the invention inverts the approach by creating a non-resettable device where the reminder continues until the task is completed. The patent states the device provides a 'persistent and unavoidable reminder,' flipping the conventional design paradigm from user-controllable to compliance-enforcing.
2Reliability
If reminder devices are made visible and attached to surfaces, then reminder effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and risk of ingestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a reminder alarm and a pet identification tag. The patent describes it as a 'companion animal identification tag and alarm device' that can be attached to collars or leashes, combining utility with reminder functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate attachment mechanisms while maintaining visibility and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be simple and potentially disposable, made from safe materials that pose minimal risk if ingested. The patent emphasizes using 'non-toxic material' and simple construction, suggesting a design philosophy that accepts the device may be lost or ingested without causing harm, thereby reducing complexity concerns.
3Reliability
If reminder devices are placed in close proximity to animals, then reminder effectiveness is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential ingestion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of ingestion into a benefit by designing the entire device from non-toxic materials. The patent states the device is made of 'non-toxic material' that poses 'minimal risk to the animal's health if ingested.' By making the harmful aspect (ingestion) benign, the device can safely remain in close proximity to animals, maintaining reminder effectiveness while eliminating the harmful factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The material composition parameter is changed to be non-toxic. The patent specifies using safe materials throughout the device construction, fundamentally changing the chemical properties of the device to ensure it is harmless if ingested, thereby allowing close proximity placement without risk.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention provides for an animal medicine reminder tag that is non-toxic, water resistant, and shock resistant. The tags described herein are excellent medicine compliance tools as they 1) are automatically activated when attached to the companion animal; 2) produce a persistent reminder after a manufacturer-programmed set period of time; 3) cannot be reset or turned off by the companion animal's caregiver; 4) emit the alarm/signal from both sides; 5) are sealed and non-toxic; and 6) are designed to be minimally harmful if accidentally swallowed, and may even pass safely through the gastro-intestinal tract for sufficiently large animals.