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