AUTOMATED PILL DISPENSER
Automated Pill Dispenser
Assistive technology is enabling continued independence for those needing reminders to take medication, replacing the reliance on paid or carer support for the user. The dispenser can be used by anyone who needs reminders to take regular medication, it is user friendly for a range of people with disabilities, sensory impairments and older people who want to maintain their independence and manage their health care.
The pill dispenser is programed and preloaded in minutes with seven days of medication, and up to three instances each day. The product then alerts the user to take their medication at three pre-set intervals each day, alerting and allowing the user to access the relevant medication compartment at the pre-programmed time.
Product Aims
• Restores greater independence to the user
• Creates a safer lifestyle for the user
• Reduces time on carers and families supporting the user
The pill dispenser is programed and preloaded in minutes with seven days of medication, and up to three instances each day. The product then alerts the user to take their medication at three pre-set intervals each day, alerting and allowing the user to access the relevant medication compartment at the pre-programmed time.
Product Aims
• Restores greater independence to the user
• Creates a safer lifestyle for the user
• Reduces time on carers and families supporting the user
Docking Station
The dock is programmed after preloading the tablets into the three daily compartments using the passcode protected screen. The programmer selects the time for each compartment to open. Pass coding the screen ensures that changes cannot be made without entering the pass code, preventing errors through accidental access.
At the rear of the product there is a vent to allow heat to escape, ensuring the internal compartments do not overheat. The dock links to the lithium batteries within the individual daily dispensers, allowing them to have an external source of power whilst the user is out.
The lights on the front of the product indicate the level of charge on each dispenser. The level of charge is indicated in a traffic light system making it easy to understand with red indicating a low battery, orange being intermediate and green being fully charged. The light on the corresponding day also flashes when it is time for the user to take their medication.
At the rear of the product there is a vent to allow heat to escape, ensuring the internal compartments do not overheat. The dock links to the lithium batteries within the individual daily dispensers, allowing them to have an external source of power whilst the user is out.
The lights on the front of the product indicate the level of charge on each dispenser. The level of charge is indicated in a traffic light system making it easy to understand with red indicating a low battery, orange being intermediate and green being fully charged. The light on the corresponding day also flashes when it is time for the user to take their medication.
Outer Casing
The Purpose
The purpose of the casing is to protect the main body if transporting. It also releases the lids on the main body when it is time for medication to be taken and the button is pressed.
Material Selection
The casing is injection moulded ABS with a brushed nickel veneer, leaving the abs corners exposed. The product has multiple holes at the rear of the product to allow the sound created by the dispenser to travel through the casing.
The purpose of the casing is to protect the main body if transporting. It also releases the lids on the main body when it is time for medication to be taken and the button is pressed.
Material Selection
The casing is injection moulded ABS with a brushed nickel veneer, leaving the abs corners exposed. The product has multiple holes at the rear of the product to allow the sound created by the dispenser to travel through the casing.
Dispenser
How the Device works
The device alerts the user to take their tablets through a sound from the main body or via the vibrating wristband. Once the user takes the main body out of the outer casing they push the button on the side to release the correct compartment and access their tablets. Once finished they close the lid and put the main body into the casing, to protect it until their next medication time.
Tablet Containers
These containers are able to store up to 8-10 tablets in each of the three sections, allowing the user to take all there tablets out with them.
Material Selection
The main body is injection moulded ABS with a brushed nickel veneer, leaving the abs corners exposed, thus dividing the shape up into sections. This allows the ribbing and internal fittings to be included within the initial mould, making manufacturing easier.
The device alerts the user to take their tablets through a sound from the main body or via the vibrating wristband. Once the user takes the main body out of the outer casing they push the button on the side to release the correct compartment and access their tablets. Once finished they close the lid and put the main body into the casing, to protect it until their next medication time.
Tablet Containers
These containers are able to store up to 8-10 tablets in each of the three sections, allowing the user to take all there tablets out with them.
Material Selection
The main body is injection moulded ABS with a brushed nickel veneer, leaving the abs corners exposed, thus dividing the shape up into sections. This allows the ribbing and internal fittings to be included within the initial mould, making manufacturing easier.
Wristband
The wristband links in with the portable device, picking up the signals from the programed dock, vibrating and alerting the user to take their tablets at the set time. The wristband makes the dispenser accessible for hearing impaired users as they are alerted to the alarm via vibration in place of an audible alarm. This option also promotes privacy for users if they chose, making it more discrete than the sound option on the main body. The wrist band has a simple magnetic locking system that allows the user to rotate the pivot to put the device on.
Vibrations
The wristband can be set to four different levels of vibration allowing the user to select the appropriate one for their needs. The levels are also printed in braille to enable blind users to select the level appropriate to them.
Materials
The wristband is also injection moulded abs with a brushed nickel veneer this allows for the product to have the internal fittings to hold the battery and vibration mechanism.
Vibrations
The wristband can be set to four different levels of vibration allowing the user to select the appropriate one for their needs. The levels are also printed in braille to enable blind users to select the level appropriate to them.
Materials
The wristband is also injection moulded abs with a brushed nickel veneer this allows for the product to have the internal fittings to hold the battery and vibration mechanism.