Vacuum Probe Robotic Arm for Pill Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elderly patients with limited cognitive abilities and physical impairments face challenges in timely and accurate consumption of multiple medications, as existing automated systems are complex, costly, and inefficient in gripping and transferring pills.
Innovation Solution
A medication dispensing system featuring a carousel with storage and dispensing bins, a robotic arm with a vacuum probe, and a computer controller that uses optical character recognition to manage and dispense medications, ensuring accurate and timely administration without the need for user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a vacuum system with probe and chutes is used to pick up and deposit pills, then automated medication dispensing is achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive due to the need for chutes adjacent to each storage compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chute component from the system entirely. Instead of requiring chutes adjacent to each storage compartment, the invention uses a robotic arm with vacuum probe that directly picks up pills from storage compartments and deposits them into a single centralized dispensing location, eliminating the need for multiple chutes and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm with vacuum probe serves as a universal mechanism that can pick up pills from any storage compartment regardless of location and deposit them all into a single dispensing bin. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated chutes at each compartment, simplifying the system architecture
2Extent of automation
If a specialized vacuum probe is designed to pick up pills, then automated pickup is achieved, but the probe is limited in utility and cannot firmly grip pills for sufficient periods of time
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum probe incorporates a flexible, articulated body that can dynamically adapt its shape to conform to different pill forms. This dynamic flexibility allows the probe to maintain firm contact and reliable grip on various pill types (round, oval, capsule shapes) throughout the pickup and transport process, overcoming the rigidity limitations of specialized fixed-design probes
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple medications are stored in separate bins on a carousel, then medication organization is improved, but the system requires complex structure and expense
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the carousel storage bins and the dispensing bin. Instead of requiring direct mechanical connections or complex transfer mechanisms between each bin and dispenser, the robotic arm mediates the pill transfer process, allowing for a simpler overall structure while maintaining the organized multi-bin storage system
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
The system efficiently and accurately dispenses multiple medications over a month, reducing the burden on patients and caregivers by ensuring timely and correct medication intake, with the ability to handle various pill sizes and shapes, and providing reminders for medication times.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum probe with a distal end connected to a vacuum inducing system and a proximal end connected to a vacuum cup... when the vacuum end of the vacuum cup is positioned by the probe to engage a surface of a dosage of medication upon initiation of the vacuum inducing system the vacuum end of the vacuum cup firmly holds the dosage of medication
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an invention for dispensing multiple medications to a patient over an extended period of days up to several times a day. The system includes a carousel with storage bins and a delivery bin on its periphery. A vacuum system and a vacuum probe with a vacuum cup at the end of the probe for grasping and holding by an induced vacuum a dosage of medication located in a storage bin and moving it to a dispending or delivery bin. The system includes a programmable computer to control the system and sequence the proper dispensing of the medication at the predesignated times.