Smart Medication Holder With Image Sensing for Dosing Adherence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medication nonadherence is a common issue among patients, particularly those with chronic diseases, leading to potential health consequences and unnecessary escalation of treatment, due to forgetfulness, confusion, fear of side effects, cost, and misunderstandings about medication timing.
Innovation Solution
A smart medication holder with integrated sensors, processors, and communication systems provides time-relevant dosing information through visual and auditory cues, monitors medication levels, and allows customization of dosing notifications, enabling patients and healthcare professionals to track adherence and manage medication schedules effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional medication storage methods are used, then device complexity is low, but medication adherence is poor due to forgetfulness and confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The medication holder automatically tracks medication dosing schedules and provides notifications without requiring patient input or management. The system self-monitors medication presence, timing, and adherence status, eliminating the need for patients to manually track their medication regimen while significantly improving adherence rates
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to patients through notifications and alerts when medications are due, taken, or missed. This continuous feedback loop helps patients understand their adherence status and correct behavior, transforming the passive storage function into an active adherence support system
2Reliability
If manual tracking of medication schedules is used, then human input steps are required, but this increases the risk of errors and confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The medication holder automatically monitors and tracks dosing schedules without requiring patient input. The system independently records when medications are placed in the holder, when doses are due, and whether they were taken, eliminating manual tracking errors while maintaining simplicity for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with electronic sensing and communication systems. Sensors detect medication presence and timing, automatically recording dosing information without requiring patient intervention, thereby eliminating human error while keeping the interface simple
3Reliability
If patients take multiple medications, then treatment effectiveness may improve, but confusion about timing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The medication holder is divided into separate compartments or slots for different medications, each with its own tracking and notification system. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple medications independently, providing specific timing information for each drug while maintaining overall treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides differentiated feedback for each medication, notifying patients of specific dosing times for different drugs. This targeted information delivery prevents confusion by clearly indicating which medication to take and when, enabling patients to successfully manage multiple medications
Data Source
AI summary
A medication holder may include a housing having a top side defining one or more wells, respective wells configured to receive a medication package or medication container; at least one image sensor arranged to capture an image of an exterior of a medication package when a medication package is received in at least one of the one or more wells; and a processor configured to determine information about the exterior of a medication package from one or more images of the exterior of the medication package.