Spring Blade Sensor for Medication Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack efficient automation for managing and monitoring medication stocks in hospital environments, leading to manual interventions and inaccuracies in medication administration and invoicing, especially in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a spring system with symmetrical blades and a pressure sensor that detects object movements by converting insertion or removal forces into electrical signals, allowing for automatic and instantaneous tracking of medication within a housing, independent of object dimensions, and capable of transmitting data to a central processing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of medication is used, then flexibility in accessing medication is maintained, but accuracy and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and paper-based recording with an automated mechanical detection system. The pressure sensor automatically detects when medication is removed from or returned to the housing, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring through the pressure sensor that automatically detects medication movements without human intervention. The housing itself participates in the detection process by transmitting pressure changes when objects are inserted or removed, enabling the system to monitor itself.
2Productivity
If manual recording of medication administration is performed, then system simplicity is maintained, but time consumption and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual writing and data entry with an electronic pressure sensing system that automatically records medication movements. The pressure sensor detects and logs each insertion or removal event instantaneously, dramatically increasing productivity while eliminating time spent on manual recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor operates continuously to monitor the housing, ensuring that every medication movement is detected and recorded in real-time. This continuous monitoring eliminates gaps in tracking and ensures complete accountability without requiring periodic manual checks.
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensor is directly exposed, then detection sensitivity is improved, but vulnerability to damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the push button as an intermediary element between the external environment and the pressure sensor. The push button transmits pressure forces from the spring system to the sensor while protecting the sensor from direct exposure to potential damage sources such as moisture, contamination, or physical impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor is nested within the housing structure, with the push button and spring system forming concentric layers of protection. The sensor is positioned at the bottom of the housing, surrounded by structural elements that protect it while allowing it to detect pressure changes through the push button mechanism.
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
Enables fully automated management and monitoring of medication stocks, reducing manual errors and ensuring accurate invoicing by providing real-time tracking of medication movements, improving efficiency and accuracy in hospital settings.
Implementation Method 1
a spring system comprising two symmetrical blades each formed of an upper wing and a lower wing articulated between one another and forming at rest an obtuse angle, wherein these blades are positioned back to back at their articulation, in that the upper wings are configured to form a housing for the object and in that the lower wings are connected to one another by a wire forming a spring
Implementation Method 2
a push button capable of moving perpendicularly to a pressure sensor until it comes into contact with it or is freed from it
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the automatic and instantaneous detection of movements of an object with respect to a housing containing or capable of containing this object chosen from the introductions of this object in this empty housing and the extractions of this object from its housing. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises a spring system (1) comprising two symmetrical blades (3, 3A) each formed by an upper wing (5, 5A) and of a lower wing (6, 6A) articulated between one another and forming at rest an obtuse angle, wherein these blades are positioned back to back at their articulation (4, 4A) in that the upper wings are configured to form a housing (7) for the object and in that the lower wings are connected to one another by a wire (8) forming a spring which cooperates with a push button (11) capable of moving perpendicularly to a pressure sensor (2) until it comes into contact with it or is freed from it.