Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Successfully fit one week's worth of pills on single blister that does not exceed size of iphone (2.3'' x 4.5" x 0.4")
leaves little room for sensors
Dr. Browne notified team that pills can be placed in the same blister for one month (possibly longer)
will speak with pharmacist to determine maximum length of time blisters can coexist
Spoke with Steve Roberts about electronics
still supports that emitter/detector is best option (cheapest, easiest to solder/test)
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Met with DD Studio, Dr. Browne, Dr. Delson, and ECE team to discuss project
Decided that there are two varieties of Pillsafe: multi-day vs. single day
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Order 3D Printing cartridge ($260)
Decide on mechanics of Gum Pack design (method of insertion, retraction)
Testing of emitter/detectors (how sensitive are sensors to ambient light?)
Design Review with Dr. Browne and Dr. Dey
develop story board to present to them
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
pack as many pills as possible to customize blister
Blister packs should be limited to size constraints of the iPhone
Total size of holder should not exceed much more than iPhone with case
Flesh out Gum Pack design, research sensors, create designs for one day regimen, begin thinking about hybrid solution
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
From Design Proposal Presentations
Delson:
Would have liked to see presentation of wider range of concepts, like in last meeting
Housing and Wall thickness is way too large of acrylic prototype
Bubblegum example is nice, but prototype seems too bulky
consider putting multiple pills in one blister
overview did not mention social network and need for spare electronics
technical note: contact switch will have lower power draw than optical switch that has to be on the whole time
Mike:
Consider stacking pills vertically
Would use teeth design to translate force to puncture backing, rather than using thumb force
From DD Studio Visit:
Delson:
Two main products:
7 day regimen
vs
1 day regimen
standalone blister, multiple one-day blisters packaged
tearoff/perforated multiday blister
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
look into PIR sensors
include alarm for when pills need to be taken
consider including a clock
instead of making the pillsafe smaller, try using a more flexible material that would allow the user to bend the product into a more compact shape
could use buttons or pegs that would push into empty blisters
stack blisters (like gum pack), reduces size
use photogate to sense when someone pulls rack out
locking mechanism may also make pillsafe bulkier
linear loading similar to PEZ dispenser
for the sensor, it is not 100% certain that all the aluminum will be taken off when the pill is taken, consider a weight sensor?
roll blisters
cylindrical shapes as opposed to boxy ones
need to account for difference in ambient light and in pocket light
look into PCBs that come close to the design we need, possibly cheaper
if using sensor array, what would happen if one of the sensor breaks? troubleshooting would be major issue
instead of using emitter/detector, use phototransistor and color coding
can you guys integrate a circuit into the blisterpack?
perforated rows, only unroll one row at a time, somehow read the rotary motion
Risks and Areas of Concern
iphone/gumpack design leave little room for electronics
need to decide on method of preventing patients from double-dosing (lock on the linear slider)
Resources or Information Required but not Available
none
Schedule
Describe upcoming milestone
Update Gantt chart.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
amount remaining: $918.33
after purchase of 3D printing, balance will be: $658.33
Progress on Report and Webpage
team has set deadline for report components due Friday 4/27 for Thursday at midnight for round robin proofreading, will be uploaded to site by Friday
will be meeting this weekend to revamp/update website including uploading pictures of designs/CAD drawings