Smart Unit Dose Packaging with Conductive Trace Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack effective means to monitor patient medication adherence once the medication is in the patient's control, making it difficult to ensure proper intake and prevent non-adherence issues.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize 'smart' unit dose packaging with an embedded conductive trace circuit and a dock that detects breaks in the circuit to record and report medication consumption, connected via a cellular modem for remote monitoring and feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional medication packaging is used, then patients have freedom to take medication as needed, but medication adherence cannot be monitored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication adherence monitoringVSAvoidpackaging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unit dose packaging serves multiple functions: it contains the medication, provides a conductive trace circuit for adherence monitoring, and interfaces with the dock for data transmission. This multi-functionality allows the packaging to enable monitoring without requiring separate dedicated monitoring devices, thus improving reliability while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical packaging with a smart packaging system that uses conductive trace circuits and electronic communication. The conductive circuit embedded in the packaging replaces simple mechanical seals, enabling automatic detection of dose removal through electrical continuity changes, thereby enabling monitoring functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If smart unit dose packaging with conductive trace circuit is implemented, then medication adherence can be tracked, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadherence tracking accuracyVSAvoidpackaging manufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the packaging by embedding conductive trace circuits within the packaging structure. This allows the packaging to transition from a passive container to an active monitoring device, enabling accurate adherence tracking through electrical continuity detection while integrating the monitoring capability into the manufacturing process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If continuous monitoring is implemented, then adherence data is captured in real-time, but loss of patient privacy occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadherence data accuracyVSAvoidpatient privacy intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary adherence information (whether the dose was removed) from the packaging system and transmits this minimal data set to healthcare providers. By taking out only the essential monitoring data rather than continuous detailed information, the system maintains adherence tracking accuracy while minimizing privacy intrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If lock mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized access, then medication security is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication securityVSAvoidpackaging access convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is designed to be automatically controlled by the system, eliminating the need for manual locking or key operations by the patient. The electronic lock integrates with the monitoring system, providing security automatically while maintaining ease of operation through automated control, reducing the burden on patients to manually secure their medication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures accurate tracking of medication adherence, provides reminders, and ensures that patients complete their prescribed regimens, addressing the challenge of non-adherence and facilitating healthcare provider oversight.

Implementation Method 1

an embedded conductive trace circuit and a dock that detects breaks in the circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11337896B2Medication adherence monitoring

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

In one example, the present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for monitoring a patient's medication adherence. In one example, an apparatus includes a set of contact pins to electrically engage a conductive trace circuit of a unit dose packaging and to generate a signal in response to a break in the conductive trace circuit, a processor comprising a plurality of analog channels to detect and record the signal, a cellular modem to send, via a data network to which the apparatus is connected, information about the signal to a medication adherence monitoring service, a housing containing the set of contact pins, the processor, and the cellular modem, wherein the housing is configured for removable insertion of the unit dose packaging, and a lock to reversibly lock the unit dose packaging in the housing.