Ben Roberts – BME Nicole Riddle – BME Daniel Pierre – EE Kevin Kirby – EE Zac Wingard – ME Jordan Smith – CS/HOD

We have a new group member Jordan Smith - expert consultant on all things computer programming

Problem Statement Design an Accessible Medication Dispensing Device. The device must be automated, and capable of dispensing drugs only to a specific patient, and with patient-specific doses.

Aims – Affordable – Dependable – Simple – Safe – Flexible – Scalable Needs to: –Cut pills into halves or quarters. –Dispense medications. Ideally, it will: –Interpret a container’s bar code –Track medication expiration dates –Remind users to take their medications –Track what medications have already been dispensed Specifications

Bar Code Scanners Two types of scanners: –Serial –Keyboard Wedge Three types of interfaces: –Keyboard Wedge (Keyboard Wedge Type) –RS232 (Serial Type) –USB (Either Type)

Bar Code Scanner Cost Available Options range between $150 to $1000. We will need to spend between $200 – $300 for an adequate scanner and supporting software.

Three Ideas Thus Far Conveyor Belt Loadable Tray Blister Pack

Conveyor Belt Made a prototype Decided that the design was to complex Will need to simplify and redesign

Conveyor Belt

Conveyor Belt Cutting System

Loadable Tray Prototyping Built Prototype with epoxy Epoxy wouldn’t release from tray, kinda ruined it Near impossible to keep razor blades at 90º angle

Loadable Tray

Blister Pack Have pills come in standardized blister packs Pros –Pills separated –Environmentally Sealed –Ease in cutting and in dispensing Cons –Less Convenient, relatively few medications currently come in blister packs –Not as universal We can make it work but requires implementation of blister pack technology

Blister Pack Schematics

QFD

Where do we go from here? Discuss different designs with our advisor and a mechanical engineering professor Working prototypes Refine ideas