Universal Modular Attachment for Eye Drop Adherence Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a significant challenge in effectively managing and tracking medication adherence, particularly for chronic conditions, as nearly fifty percent of medications are not taken as prescribed, leading to health issues and substantial healthcare costs, with existing systems lacking convenience and inconspicuousness.

Innovation Solution

The development of universal modular attachments equipped with sensors that can be secured to medication containers, such as eye drop containers, to monitor adherence by detecting administration actions like tilting or shaking, and transmitting data to a network-accessible server system for generating adherence reports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If universal modular attachments with sensors are added to medication containers, then measurement precision of medication administration is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication administration detectionVSAvoidattachment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is designed to be universal and modular, capable of being attached to multiple different medication container types (bottles, tubes, cartridges) through various connector options. The single attachment unit integrates multiple sensor types (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer) to perform multiple detection functions including tilting, shaking, squeezing, and cap removal events, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple sensor types are integrated into the attachment, then reliability of adherence tracking is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadherence tracking accuracyVSAvoidsensor integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensor types (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer) are merged into a single integrated attachment unit that attaches to the medication container. This consolidation approach improves reliability of adherence tracking by capturing multiple physiological events through different sensor modalities while managing device complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensor data from multiple sources is processed to detect and confirm medication administration events. The feedback loop validates adherence through cross-referencing multiple sensor inputs, improving reliability while the automated processing manages complexity by reducing manual intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the attachment system is made modular with connector rings, then adaptability to different containers is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer compatibilityVSAvoidmodular components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into modular components including the main attachment unit and separate connector rings. This segmentation allows the attachment to be adapted to different medication container types (bottles, tubes, cartridges) by selecting appropriate connector rings, thereby improving adaptability. The modular design manages complexity by allowing components to be independently manufactured and assembled rather than requiring a completely different attachment for each container type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution provides a convenient and inconspicuous method to accurately track medication usage, enhancing adherence and reducing healthcare costs by providing actionable data on compliance.

Implementation Method 1

A motion sensor housed within the modular attachment generates motion data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS10548765B2Universal modular attachments for eye drop containers

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 SANTEN HOLDINGS U S INC

AI summary

Introduced here are universal modular attachments that can be attached to medication containers. Because a single modular attachment is typically attachable to medication containers of different sizes, the modular attachment can be referred to as a “universal modular attachment.” For example, some universal modular attachments are attachable to any cylindrical eye drop container having a diameter ranging from 20 millimeters (mm) to 27 mm. A connector ring that substantially matches the diameter of the medication container secures the universal modular attachment to the medication container. The connector ring may be fixedly affixed to the medication container, while the universal modular attachment may be detachably connectable to the connector ring. Each universal modular attachment also includes sensor(s) that are configured to detect administrations of medication. For example, the universal modular attachment may include a motion sensor able to detect instances of movement that are indicative of administrations of medication.