Project
| # | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Med-I-Can |
Alyssa Dias Eric Shen Kyle Hand |
Dongwei Shi | design_document0.pdf final_paper0.pdf proposal0.pdf |
|
| Link to idea post - https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=27511 # Problem A common issue among the disabled and elderly communities, is the need for taking a wide variety of medications at least once a day. Some individuals rely on their caregivers to assist them in this task, and in situations where multiple people are depending on much fewer caregivers (ie: group homes), this becomes a tedious task, and can be detrimental if not completed correctly. # Solution Overview Our idea is to create a physical system (similar concept to a vending machine) that can serve an individual, but is scalable to multiple people, and is controlled by an app. Our idea sets itself apart by allowing one caregiver to manage medication for multiple users, to create preset dosages/timing for each individual, and modify based on the well-being of each individual (for example, if an individual has a cold, add that preset of specific cold medication to the regular medication routine). This is especially crucial in settings such as Assisted Living spaces. # Solution Components With multiple users comes the complexity and potential of taking the wrong person’s medication. In order to combat this, there will be cards given to each individual containing a component similar to an EMV chip. The individual inserts the card, it locks (like many ATMs), and pills are dispensed into a removable cup. There will be a pressure sensor beneath the cup, so until it is replaced and registered as completely empty, the card will remain locked, and no additional pills can be dispensed. If the cup is not moved, or is replaced with pills still in it, a caregiver will be notified by an alarm or alert on the app used to program the device. The card must be removed before the next dosage can be released. ## App Subsystem - Take inputs (type, dosage, time, etc) from caregivers, and allow for add-ons (ie cold medication) to daily medication - Functioning alarm notifications when medication has been dispensed, but not taken, or remaining medication in cup - Ability to interface with physical system ## Sensor Subsystem - Pressure sensor beneath the removable cup ## Processing Subsystem - Bluetooth to transmit information from caregiver’s app to system and interpret input - Microcontroller to interpret information from app - “Check” of inputted card to determine which individual’s medication to dispense, and ensure it’s not taken before allowed ## Mechanical Subsystem ### Card Reader - The individuals card will be read by the system by pulling it completely into the machine - A very basic IR sensor will test for the user’s inputted card - Once the card is sensed, Servos with rubber wheels will pull the card completely into the device, so that a user cannot remove it - The card will be read using a scanner - After the pill cup is removed and replaced (empty), the servos will reverse and present the card back to the user. - Failure to collect the pills or replacing the cup with any pills remaining will result in the card not ejecting ### Dispensing - Physical dispensing - taking interpretation of input and dispensing (like a vending machine, utilizing motors and servos) - A simple "gate" will be used in conjunction with springs and a servo to ensure that only one pill is dispensed at a time - Each time a pill is to be dispensed, the gate will lower, releasing the pill, and raise again to collect another similar to this video of a gumball machine - https://youtu.be/NC2vaba_8B8?t=4m8s - All dispensed pills will fall into a funnel, with the removable cup below it ## Power Subsystem - System will have a power chord to plug into a standard outlet # Criterion for Success Our solution should be able to accurately (no errors) output the correct dosage based on each individual user, and not output any additional medication until the prior medication has been taken out of the cup, the empty cup has been replaced, card is unlocked and removed. We should also be able to use the app to modify dosages, or add additional medication. Alarms should work with no errors. Due to the limitations of the one-semester timeline, we will be using a uniform sized pill. |
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