Sensor-Integrated Medication Delivery Apparatus for Automated Administration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current healthcare procedures face challenges in efficiently recording and managing medication administrations, particularly in quick and high-pressure situations, where ensuring the '5 rights' of medication administration and maintaining accurate records are crucial for patient safety and care.
Innovation Solution
A medication delivery apparatus with a housing, fluid conduit, medication port, and sensors that automatically identify medication contents and transmit data wirelessly to a remote system, allowing for real-time monitoring and recording of medication administration, while being compact and lightweight for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual documentation and record keeping is used for medication administration, then healthcare providers can verify the 5 rights and maintain accurate records, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity in quick and high-pressure situations
Solution Approach 1:
The medication administration system performs self-documentation through automated sensors that detect medication administration events and automatically record them in the healthcare information system, eliminating the need for manual documentation while maintaining accurate records
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical documentation processes with electronic sensors and automated data transmission, where sensors detect administration events and wirelessly transmit data to the healthcare information system, significantly improving speed while maintaining accuracy
2Reliability
If multiple data elements are collected and verified manually for each medication administration, then the 5 rights can be verified, but the time required for documentation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures data collection parameters and sensor settings before medication administration, so that all necessary data elements are automatically captured and verified without requiring manual intervention during the administration process
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by automatically detecting medication administration events through sensors and immediately recording the data in the healthcare information system, allowing for instant verification of the 5 rights without time-consuming manual documentation
3Extent of automation
If a medication delivery apparatus with sensors and wireless transmission is implemented, then automated identification and real-time monitoring are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The medication delivery apparatus integrates multiple functions into a single device, including medication containment, fluid delivery through conduits, sensor integration for detection, and wireless transmission capabilities, reducing the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining automation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses nested structural design where sensors are integrated within the medication delivery apparatus housing, and the apparatus can be attached to or integrated with existing IV poles and medication containers, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automated capabilities
4Loss of information
If sensors and wireless transmission components are added to the medication delivery apparatus, then real-time data collection is enabled, but the weight and size of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and minimizes only the essential sensor and transmission components needed for real-time data collection, removing unnecessary elements while maintaining core functionality, thereby reducing the overall weight of the medication delivery apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses wireless communication to transmit data remotely, eliminating the need for physical data recording devices and heavy local processing units, thereby reducing the weight of the medication delivery apparatus while maintaining real-time data collection capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A medication delivery apparatus for use with a medication container includes a housing, a fluid conduit at least partially extending within the housing and configured to deliver medication within the medication container to a patient, a medication port extending from the housing and configured to be coupled to a fluid outlet of the medication container, the medication port being fluidically coupled to the fluid conduit, and at least one sensor disposed within the housing to generate information characterizing administration of the medication for processing by a remote data collection system. The housing can have a size and shape that enables it to be supported by a first hand of a user while the user administers the medication from the medication container via the medication port using a second hand of the user. Related apparatus, systems, and techniques are also described.