Portable Medication Dispenser with Authentication and Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective regulation in the dispensing of addictive pharmaceutical agents, as patients often misuse narcotics due to the lack of control over their usage, leading to addiction and related issues such as drug abuse and overdose.
Innovation Solution
A portable medication dispensing device that requires authorized patient identification and adheres to a medical professional's prescription, using gates and actuators to control dosage release, along with security features like cameras and GPS for monitoring and tamper detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patients are given unrestricted access to prescription narcotics, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to addiction and misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable dispensing device as an intermediary between the prescription and the patient. This device requires authentication (biometric or code) and tracks dosage according to prescription parameters, mediating the delivery of controlled substances to ensure compliance while maintaining patient access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the dispensing device communicates dosage information to both the patient and the prescribing physician. The device tracks and reports usage patterns, providing real-time feedback to prevent misuse and allow intervention if abnormal usage is detected.
2Reliability
If a portable dispensing device with authentication is used, then reliability of controlled substance dispensing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable dispensing device is designed to perform multiple functions: authentication (biometric or code-based), dosage tracking, communication with prescribing physicians, and tamper detection. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the system achieves reliable controlled substance dispensing without requiring multiple separate systems.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring and recording features are added, then reliability and safety are improved, but loss of energy increases due to battery power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring and recording features operate periodically rather than continuously. The device monitors dosage events and communicates with external systems at intervals, rather than maintaining constant active monitoring. This reduces battery consumption while still providing effective oversight of medication usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A medication dispensing device comprises a cartridge unit and a control unit. The cartridge unit comprises a cartridge housing defining a dispensing channel to allow passage of the dosage from the cartridge to the patient. A cartridge holds dosages, with a driven member engaging the cartridge. The driven member drives the cartridge to dispense a dosage. The control unit comprises a main housing for coupling to the cartridge housing. A driver member engages the driven member to actuate the driven member. A motor driven locking mechanism is moveable between locked and unlocked positions. When in the locked position the cartridge unit is secured to the control unit. When in the unlocked position the cartridge unit is separable from the control unit thereby providing access to the cartridge. A mobile computing device stores dosage availability and receives an authorized patient identification input before dispensing a dosage.