Single-Dose Blister Strip for Sequential Medication Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients and caregivers face challenges in managing multiple medications with different administration times, leading to frequent errors due to the complexity of organizing and administering various prescriptions and supplements.

Innovation Solution

The development of single-use, separable packages with a plurality of blisters containing different medications, arranged in a continuous strip or coil, featuring frangible features, tamper-evidence, childproofing, and machine-readable information for automated dispensing, allowing for sequential and accurate administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If medications are supplied in multiple separate containers, then each medication can be stored individually, but the user must spend time organizing them into dose groupings and errors in administration are frequent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of medication administrationVSAvoidaccuracy of dosing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system segments medications into individual single-dose packages, each containing a specific combination of medications for a single administration event. This segmentation eliminates the need for users to manually organize medications into dose groupings, as each package is pre-configured with the correct medications and doses for one-time administration, thereby improving both ease of operation and dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-assembling and pre-organizing the correct combination of medications into sealed single-dose packages before delivery to the patient. The packaging is prepared in advance with the exact dosing regimen required, eliminating the need for users to perform organization tasks at the time of administration and ensuring dosing accuracy through manufacturer-controlled assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If medications are pre-packaged in single-dose packages, then administration errors are reduced, but the system complexity increases with multiple packaging components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of dosingVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple medications into a single integrated packaging unit called a single-dose package, which contains all necessary medications for one administration event in a unified structure. This merging approach maintains dosing accuracy by keeping medications together in a controlled environment while simplifying the user experience, as the entire combination is delivered through one package rather than requiring coordination of multiple separate containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single-dose package design incorporates multiple functions within a single packaging structure: it provides containment for multiple medications, includes tamper-evident features for safety, incorporates frangible features for easy opening, and integrates labeling for administration guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and accessories, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If a continuous strip of single-dose packages is used, then sequential dispensing is simplified, but the length of the packaging strip increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing efficiencyVSAvoidstrip length

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs nesting by placing multiple single-dose packages in a compact, space-efficient arrangement within a dispensing container or along a continuous strip. The packages are nested or stacked in an organized manner that minimizes the overall length and volume required for storage and dispensing, allowing sequential access while managing the physical dimensions of the packaging system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of arranging single-dose packages in a simple linear strip that would require excessive length, the system utilizes multi-dimensional arrangements such as stacking packages vertically, arranging them in grid patterns, or configuring them in serpentine layouts within a compact dispensing unit. This dimensional approach reduces the linear length required while maintaining sequential dispensing capability through organized access paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9027786B2Packaging systems and methods

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 DOYLE MARK C

AI summary

An apparatus is provided for delivering single-dose packages sequentially from a substantially continuous strip having a first dispensing end and a second end. The strip includes a cover layer attached to a base layer to define a plurality of blisters therebetween that have one or more medications therein. The blisters are aligned in single file generally along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and/or otherwise arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, e.g., at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein. A first single-dose package at the first dispensing end may be separable from a second adjacent single-dose package such that individual single-dose packages may be removed successively from the first dispensing end.