Single-Dose Medication Dispenser With Secure Pumping Outlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
In correctional facilities, the manual dispensing of opioid addiction medication by nurses poses a bottleneck, leading to inconsistent medication delivery, especially in remote areas where certified nursing staff is scarce.
Innovation Solution
An automated device for pumping and dispensing single doses of opioid addiction medication, featuring a pumping platform, outlet, cup dispensing component, and a pusher wheel that rotates through different positions to secure and expose the outlet, integrated with biometric verification for patient identity confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual medication dispensing by nurses is used, then medication can be delivered with human oversight, but it creates a bottleneck and delays medication delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The automated dispensing device enables self-service medication delivery by automatically pumping medication into cups and dispensing them through secured outlets, eliminating the need for nurse intervention in the actual dispensing process while maintaining controlled access through biometric verification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of nurses pouring and delivering medication with an automated pumping mechanism that uses a pump to transfer medication into cups and a controlled dispensing system to deliver them to patients
2Productivity
If automated pumping mechanism is implemented, then medication dispensing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device is divided into distinct functional modules: a cup dispensing component that holds and releases cups, a pumping mechanism that transfers medication, a pusher wheel that advances cups through the system, and a door mechanism that secures the outlet - each module performing a specific function to simplify the overall complex automated process
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping mechanism is designed to rotate between a pumping position (where it dispenses medication) and a stored position (where it is retracted), and the pusher wheel cyclically rotates through different positions to advance cups and control the outlet, providing dynamic adaptability throughout the dispensing cycle
3Ease of operation
If outlet is always accessible, then patient access is convenient, but security and control over medication dispensing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is designed to be dynamically accessible - the door mechanism opens the outlet only when a cup is properly positioned and ready for dispensing, and closes it at all other times, providing convenience exactly when needed while maintaining security during storage and transition phases
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the door mechanism that responds to the position of cups and the state of the dispensing process, automatically opening the outlet when conditions are appropriate for patient access and closing it when they are not, ensuring both convenience and security
Data Source
AI summary
A device for automated pumping and dispensing of single doses of opioid addiction medication to a user. The device includes a pumping platform, an outlet, and a cup dispensing component configured to dispense a cup onto the pumping platform. The device further includes a pumping mechanism configured to rotate and pump the opioid addiction medication into the cup. The device further includes a pusher wheel operatively coupled to the pumping platform, configured to cyclically rotate between positions. In one position, the pusher wheel pushes the pumping mechanism away and blocks the outlet. In another position, the pusher wheel moves such that the pumping mechanism rotates over the pumping platform and blocks the outlet. In another position, the pusher wheel pushes the cup from the pumping platform to the outlet and moves such that the outlet is exposed.