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Device to Assist in Removal of Pills
Team Leader – Benjamin Engel
Communicator – Ryan Carroll
BWIG – Eric Printz
BSAC – Justin Schmidt
Client – Dr. Molly Carnes, MD, MS, Professor
Departments of Medicine and Industrial & Systems Engineering
Advisor – Dr. Brenda Ogle, Ph.DDepartment of Biomedical Engineering
Overview
• Hand strength and aging • Problem statement• Design specifications• Current devices• Design alternatives• Design matrix• Future work
Introduction and Background
• Elderly exhibit decreased hand strength and dexterity
• Leads to difficulty in everyday tasks
Introduction and Background
• Blister Packaging• Common over-the-
counter• Elderly describe
difficult to open
Problem Statement
• Design a device to aid in the removal of pills from blister packaging for elderly/disabled patients with decreased hand strength.
Design Specifications
• Require minimal grip/hand strength• Patient safety• Applicable to a variety of pill packaging• Pill must remain unharmed in removal process• Allotted budget: $1000
Current Devices
• Pliers style device• Disadvantages
• Requires hand strength and dexterity• Only applicable to “punch out” packaging
(United States Patent 5,722,563)
Current Devices
• Motorized Blade System• Disadvantages
• Opens all pills at once• Dangerous for elderly patients
(United States Patent 4,909,414)
Current Devices
• Portable cylinder punch• Disadvantages
• Difficult to load• Applies to small number of
packages(United States Patent 5,405,011)
Design Alternatives – Linear Punch
• Utilizes motorized linear actuator
• Controlled electronically• Different size/shape
inserts• Hollowed out base
Design Alternatives – Rolling Punch
• Similar to linear punch design• Actuator drives thin curved
metal piece• Metal roller attached to hinge• Roller applies pressure across
pill package
Design Alternatives – Concealed Blade
• Thin blade slices away pill packaging
• Low friction track controls blade movement
• Adjustable blade height• Hinged cover holds
packaging in place
Design Matrix
Weight Linear Punch Rolling Punch
Concealed Blade
User Safety .25 3 2 2
Effectiveness .2 1 2 3
Pill Safety .2 1 1 3
Ease of Use .2 2 2 2
Package Variety .15 1 2 3
Total 1.00 1.70 1.80 2.55
Future Work
• Purchase parts• Prototype fabrication• Initial testing with various packaging• Field testing and get patient feedback• Further modify the device
Questions?
© 2007 All Rights Reserved This presentation template is academic property of Benjamin Engel
References
Beckman, Anna, Bernsten, Cecilia, Parker, Marti G., Thorslund, Mats, & Fastbom, Johan (2005). The difficulty of opening medicine containers in old age: A population-based study. Pharmacy World & Science. 27, 393-398
Haber, T.M., Smedley, W.H., Foster, C.B. 1995. Blister pack pill dispenser. US Patent, 5,405,011.
Heath, C. 1989. Device to remove objects from blister packs. US Patent, 4,909,414.
Hunts, L.D. 1997. Tool for removing pills and the like from blister packages. US Patent5,722,563.
Lawrence C. Rubin (2004) Merchandising Madness: Pills, Promises, and Better Living Through Chemistry. The Journal of Popular Culture 38 (2), 369–383
Ranganathan, Vinoth K., Siemionow, Vlodek, Sahgal, Vinod, & Yue, Guan H. (2001). Effects of aging on hand function. JAGS, 49, 1478-1484.
Richards L, Palmiter-Thomas P: Grip strength measurement: A critical review of tools, methods, and clinical utility. CritRev Phys Rehabil Med 1996;8:87–109
Shechtman, Orit, Mann, William C., Justiss, Michael D., & Tomita, Machiko (2004). Grip strength in the frail elderly. Am. J. Phys. Med Rehabil, 83, 819-26.
Design Alternatives – Linear Punch
Advantages• High level of user safety• Minimal hand strength required for push button operation
Disadvantages• High likelihood of pill damage• Limited package variety (cant open “peel away” packaging)• May not open package completely• High cost of production
Design Alternatives – Rolling Punch
Advantages• High level of user safety• More effective pill removal method• Minimal hand strength required for push button operation
Disadvantages• High likelihood of pill damage• Limited package variety (cant open “peel away” packaging)• May not open package completely• High cost of production
Design Alternatives – Concealed Blade
Advantages• High level of user safety• Accommodates wide variety of packaging• Low cost of production• Less likely to damage pill
Disadvantages• Requires some hand strength