Transdermal Patch Tag System for Overdose Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches for managing rivastigmine transdermal patches lack a reliable method to quickly detect and prevent overdoses, particularly in elderly Alzheimer's patients, leading to serious adverse events and fatalities due to the risk of mistakenly applying multiple patches, which can result in life-threatening conditions such as rapid dehydration and cardiac arrest.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a patch with a built-in tag and a reader configured to monitor patch compliance, transmitting data to a monitoring center, which includes a compliance determination module to assess patch usage and initiate rapid intervention when non-compliance is detected, ensuring the patient is not exposed to excessive drug levels by dynamically tracking and removing patches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patch tracking system is implemented to monitor patch application, then compliance with dosage regimen is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patch itself performs the monitoring function through an integrated tag that automatically transmits data when applied to the skin. The system serves itself by using the patch's own application state as the trigger for data transmission, eliminating the need for separate manual tracking devices or complex external monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods (such as paper logs or physical checklists) with an electronic communication system. The tag uses wireless transmission (RFID, NFC, or other electromagnetic fields) to automatically report patch application status, substituting mechanical recording with electronic data exchange.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rapid detection of patch overdose is implemented through continuous monitoring, then patient safety is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring that would constantly drain energy, the system uses periodic action triggered by specific events. The tag transmits data only when the patch is applied to the skin or removed, utilizing these discrete moments for communication. This event-driven approach minimizes energy consumption while maintaining effective overdose detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips continuous energy-consuming monitoring and rushes through the critical detection moments by focusing transmission efforts only at key events (application and removal). This allows rapid detection of overdose conditions without the sustained energy expenditure of continuous monitoring.
3Ease of operation
If manual patch tracking instructions are provided to caregivers, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of overdose prevention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic feedback to caregivers and healthcare providers when patch application compliance is detected or when potential overdose situations occur. This automated feedback loop ensures that critical information is communicated reliably without depending on manual record-keeping or human memory, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and alerting before serious overdose consequences occur. By monitoring patch application status and providing early warnings when compliance deviates from the prescribed regimen, the system enables preventive action while keeping the interface simple for caregivers.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention include systems for monitoring compliance of a patient with a patch dosage regimen and, where necessary, providing rapid, economical intervention when non-compliance is detected. In some instances, the systems include: a patch comprising an active agent and a patch tag; a reader configured to detect the patch tag; one or more processing devices; and a compliance determination module comprising a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing devices, determine compliance information from data received from the reader. The compliance information includes data that may be employed to determine whether the patient is complying with the patch dosage regimen. Also provided methods of using the systems, e.g., to monitor patient compliance, as well as components of the systems, e.g., patches, readers, etc.