1. 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.D Department of Biomedical Engineering

2. Overview Hand strength and aging Problem statement Design specifications Current devices Design alternatives Design matrix Future work

3. Introduction and Background Elderly exhibit decreased hand strength and dexterity Leads to difficulty in everyday tasks

4. Introduction and Background Blister Packaging Common over-the- counter Elderly describe difficult to open

5. Problem Statement Design a device to aid in the removal of pills from blister packaging for elderly/disabled patients with decreased hand strength.

6. 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

7. Current Devices Pliers style device Disadvantages Requires hand strength and dexterity Only applicable to “punch out” packaging (United States Patent 5,722,563)

8. Current Devices Motorized Blade System Disadvantages Opens all pills at once Dangerous for elderly patients (United States Patent 4,909,414)

9. Current Devices Portable cylinder punch Disadvantages Difficult to load Applies to small number of packages (United States Patent 5,405,011)

10. Design Alternatives – Linear Punch Utilizes motorized linear actuator Controlled electronically Different size/shape inserts Hollowed out base

11. 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

12. 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

13. Design Matrix WeightLinear PunchRolling PunchConcealed Blade User Safety.25322 Effectiveness.2123 Pill Safety.2113 Ease of Use.2222 Package Variety.15123 Total1.001.701.802.55

14. Future Work Purchase parts Prototype fabrication Initial testing with various packaging Field testing and get patient feedback Further modify the device

15. Questions? © 2007 All Rights Reserved This presentation template is academic property of Benjamin Engel

16. 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 Patent 5,722,563. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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