Universal Tablet Dispenser with Identity-Verified Magazine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tablet dispensers are limited to specific tablet sizes and shapes, leading to inefficiencies in medication administration, particularly in combination treatments, and lack features to ensure accurate and reliable self-medication, including incorrect loading, administration, and lack of medication tracking.

Innovation Solution

A tablet dispenser system with a control unit and identity unit for each magazine, allowing for multiple tablet sizes and shapes, enabling accurate identification and dispensing based on dosage plans, and communication with external devices for monitoring and tracking medication administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a tablet dispenser is designed for a specific tablet size and shape, then the dispensing mechanism can be simple and reliable, but the dispenser cannot accommodate different types of tablets with varying sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different tablet sizes and shapesVSAvoidcomplexity of dispensing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser is designed with a universal container and delivering mechanism that can accommodate multiple tablet types with different sizes and shapes. The container is sized to hold various tablet configurations, and the delivering mechanism uses a standardized pushing action that works regardless of tablet dimensions, allowing one dispenser to serve multiple medication types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the storage function (container holding multiple tablet types) from the dispensing function (delivering mechanism that pushes tablets out). This segmentation allows the container to be optimized for versatility while the delivering mechanism remains simple and reliable, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a box with tablet compartments is used for self-medication, then multiple medications can be stored, but there is no guarantee of correct loading and administration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of medication administrationVSAvoidlevel of manual intervention required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser incorporates a control unit that communicates with an external device to provide feedback on medication dispensing. The system monitors and records which medications have been dispensed and can alert users or healthcare providers if the correct medication is not administered, ensuring reliable tracking and verification of medication administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser enables patients to independently and accurately administer their medications through an automated delivering mechanism that pushes the correct tablet out at the scheduled time, eliminating the need for manual compartment selection and reducing human error in self-medication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If tablet compartments are manually loaded, then flexibility in medication organization is achieved, but mistakes in loading incorrect amounts or types of tablets occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of medication organizationVSAvoidprecision of tablet placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical loading with an automated identifying and delivering mechanism. The control unit identifies which tablet should be dispensed and the delivering mechanism automatically pushes the correct tablet out, eliminating manual loading errors while maintaining flexibility in medication organization through programmable dosage plans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a simple delivering mechanism is used, then the device remains easy to operate, but it cannot accommodate tablets of different heights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different tablet heightsVSAvoidsimplicity of delivering mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The delivering mechanism is designed as a universal pusher that works regardless of tablet height. The container and delivering mechanism are sized to accommodate various tablet dimensions, and the pushing action remains the same regardless of which tablet is being dispensed, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8423181B2Tablet dispenser system

Publication Date: 2013.04.16 MEDIMI AB

AI summary

A tablet dispenser and a magazine therefore, said tablet dispenser being configured to receive said magazine adapted to contain a tablet, and to release the tablet in a controlled way is provided. The tablet dispenser or the magazine comprises a control unit configured to monitor, send or receive tablet dispenser information to or from an external device. A system and use is also provided.