Wrist Sensor System for Pill Ingestion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication ingestion detection systems using abdominal patches are inconvenient due to discomfort, limited battery life, and difficulty in providing a man-machine interface, as well as the need for the receiver to be close to the transmitter, which restricts physiological measurements and alternative power sources.
Innovation Solution
Placing cooperating sensor electronics at each patient's wrist to detect signals from pills triggered by gastric juices, allowing for a man-machine interface, reduced discomfort, and alternative power sources, such as self-winding mechanisms, while enabling remote sensing and real-time physiological measurements like blood volume and cardiac output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an abdominal patch is used to detect pill ingestion, then detection reliability is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent components: a pill transmitter and a wristwatch receiver. This segmentation allows the detection function to be separated from the abdominal area, placing the receiver on the wrist where it is more comfortable and easier to operate while maintaining detection capability through wireless communication.
2Reliability
If an abdominal patch is used to detect pill ingestion, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and power source limitations worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the power source requirements between the pill transmitter (which has minimal power needs and is triggered by gastric juices) and the wristwatch receiver (which has its own battery and can provide power for display, processing, and communication functions). This segmentation eliminates the power source limitations that would constrain an abdominal patch design.
Solution Approach 2:
The wristwatch acts as an intermediary device that receives signals from the pill transmitter wirelessly. This intermediary approach allows the system to avoid the constraint of placing all components (including power sources) in a single location, enabling more flexible power management and reduced device complexity at each individual component.
3Measurement precision
If the receiver is placed close to the transmitter (abdomen), then signal detection is improved, but man-machine interface capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the signal detection function (pill transmitter in the stomach) from the man-machine interface functions (display, buttons, speaker) by placing them in different locations. The wristwatch receiver is positioned on the wrist, far from the abdominal transmitter, yet maintains adequate signal reception while providing full MMI capabilities that would be impossible on a small abdominal patch.
Solution Approach 2:
The wristwatch serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the pill transmitter and the user interface. It receives the signal wirelessly from the transmitter and provides all necessary user interaction capabilities (display, buttons, audio feedback) in a location where these components can be effectively integrated, eliminating the need to compromise between signal detection and interface capability.
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 reliable detection of medication ingestion with reduced patient discomfort, extended battery life, and provision of a man-machine interface, along with real-time ambulatory physiological measurements like blood volume and cardiac output, overcoming the limitations of abdominal patches.
Implementation Method 1
conventional electromagnetic radiation is emitted by a dipole and detected and received by a dipole
Implementation Method 2
pills each containing a device with communication means, e.g., conductive communication means
Data Source
AI summary
Sensing is carried out from locations considerably removed from the stomach. Cooperating sensor electronics are placed at each of two wrists of the patient. The potential discomfort and inconvenience of an abdominal patch are reduced or eliminated, and alternative power sources become available.