Pill Packet Dosage Tracking and Gating Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with complex medication regimens face low adherence rates, leading to health deterioration and increased healthcare costs, while medications with abuse potential pose risks of overuse and diversion when packaged in rolls of sachets without monitoring or security systems.
Innovation Solution
A pill packet dosage tracking and control device with a container, gate, and controller that allows for monitored and controlled extraction of pill packets, preventing overuse and diversion, and enhancing adherence by ensuring correct dosing without specialized labeling or motor-powered mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If medications are packaged in rolls of sachets for convenience, then patient ease of operation is improved, but security against overuse and diversion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlled dispensing device as an intermediary between the sachet roll and the patient. This device includes a gate mechanism that selectively allows sachets to be dispensed only under controlled conditions, thereby maintaining the convenience of roll packaging while preventing abuse and diversion through monitored release
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a gate mechanism is added to control sachet extraction, then security against abuse is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dispensing system into distinct functional segments: a reservoir for storing the sachet roll, a gate mechanism for controlled release, and a controller for monitoring and authorization. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall system manageable and not overly complex
3Productivity
If motor-powered mechanisms are used to advance doses, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to more failure modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a manual dispensing mechanism where the patient or caregiver physically advances the sachets through the device. This self-service approach eliminates motors and powered mechanisms, thereby maintaining dosing efficiency while significantly improving reliability by removing components that can fail
Data Source
AI summary
A pill packet dosage tracking and gating device is provided. The device includes a container, a gate, and a controller. The container includes a reservoir configured to hold a stream of pill packets and an extraction channel configured to guide the passage of the stream of pill packets from the reservoir out of the container. The gate is disposed in the extraction channel and is configured to vertically transition from a closed position blocking extraction of a pill packet of the stream of pill packets and an open position allowing extraction of a pill packet. The controller is configured to monitor the extraction of pill packets and control the transition of the gate from the closed position to the open position.