Final Project Journal

Project Ideation

1- Tell us about the idea of your project. Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects

The drug reminder and patient education device(Meduocare) is a smart drug reminder and patient education device that ensures patients take their medications correctly and on time. It combines electronics and design skills from the Maker Diploma with my pharmacy background to enhance medication adherence. The device features an RTC module for accurate timing, an LCD screen for reminders, and a buzzer/LED system for alerts. A button allows patients to acknowledge or snooze reminders, promoting better health outcomes.

I Care about that as device, designed for drug reminders and patient education, is particularly important to me as it aligns with my field. My goal in joining the Maker Diploma was to bridge the knowledge I gained throughout the program—such as design and electronics—into developing a product that serves the pharmaceutical sector

Source of Inspiration:

The project is inspired by personal experiences through my working as a community pharmacist as the elderly patients facing challenges in medication adherence, as well as the global healthcare problem of medication non-adherence and lack of patient education.

Similar Projects:

A. MedMinder:

Description: A smart pill dispenser that reminds patients to take their medication at the right times. It also features a display for educational content and provides notifications to caregivers if medication is missed.

B. AdhereTech:

Description: A pill bottle that uses sensors to track when the bottle is opened. It sends reminders to the patient and alerts caregivers if a dose is missed. It helps with medication adherence and reduces waste.

C. Pillboxie:

Description: A mobile app that reminds users to take their medication, providing easy-to-understand notifications. Though not an RFID-based system, it emphasizes the importance of medication adherence.

Project Construction

2- Explain the CAD process of your project. How did you use the software to design your project? (List the softwares/tools/materials...etc that you used)

Fusion 360 Design Workflow for "MedioCare Final Project"

Design Inspiration

The design takes inspiration from the capsule shape commonly seen in real life, making it suitable for a medical smart device.

Part 1: Smart Device Main Body

1. Start a New Design

Open Fusion 360 and create a new design project.
Save the file with the name "MedioCare Final Project."

2. Create the Base Component

Add a new component named "Base."
Sketch two slots (120 mm and 80 mm in diameter, center-to-center).
Import the Arduino Uno model from the external library and align it on the base using joints.
Include three mounting holes for the Arduino Uno.
Extrude the base to 3 mm thickness (plywood material).
Apply a plywood texture for a realistic look.

3. Insert Electronic Components

Import the Arduino Uno model from an external library and position it using joints.
Insert and align a breadboard model on the base.

4. Design the Outer Shell

Create a new component named "Sides."
Sketch two slots (120 mm and 80 mm in diameter, center-to-center).
Extrude the shell to 65 mm height.
Create cutouts for the Arduino USB port and power plug.
Merge the sides with the base to complete the shell.

5. Design the Face Panel (Front Cover)

Create another component named "Face Capsule."
Project the base shape onto a new sketch.
Add openings for:
- LCD display by making projection after adding lcd library
- LEDs
- Push buttons by making projection after adding push buttons
- Bolt holes
- Pill organizer box slots
Extrude the panel to 3 mm thickness (plywood material).
Insert the LCD I2C model and align it onto the user panel using joints.
Finalize the first part of the smart device.

Part 2: Pill Organizer (Hinged Box)

1. Start a New Design for the Pill Organizer

Open a new Fusion 360 file to design the pill storage unit, which is a hinged box.

2. Sketch the Pill Organizer Parts

Create a new sketch containing six parts:
1. Two side panels
2. Front panel
3. Back panel
4. Lid (top cover)
5. Base (bottom part)
Each part has dimensions of 30 mm x 75 mm and includes tabs to ensure a secure fit.

3. Extrude and Convert to Components

Extrude each sketched part to 3 mm thickness to create separate components.

4. Assemble the Pill Organizer

Use joints and constraints to align and assemble all parts.
Finalize the design and functionality of the pill organizer.

Finalization

Review the overall design to ensure all components fit correctly.
Save the completed project for future modifications and rendering.

side part

capsule face

3- Explain the fabrication process of your project. How did you use the machine to fabricate your project? (List the softwares/tools/materials...etc that you used)

1. Exporting Design Files

The design was exported in .DXF
- Laser cutting machines (for plywood parts).

2- upload every part of design on RD-works

2-then nesting parts to minumize the space between them

4- manage the parametars to start fabrication

after modification of face

Parametars

2. Fabrication Process

A. Laser Cutting (Plywood Parts)

Settings:
- Kerf: 0

cut for most of parts except the shape of logo and name of device

- Power: 50
- Speed: 40

scan for logo and name of device

Power: 20

Speed: 300

VID20250309122843.mp4

VID20250310161402.mp4

B. 3D Printing (Plastic Parts)for sides

Software Used: Cura (for slicing the model into a printable format).
Settings:

infill:10%

prim

- Material: PLA filament with white color

Project Electronics & Power Management

4- Describe your electronic circuit. What are the input and action components? What is the function of each? How do the components integrate together to form your smart system? (List the softwares/tools/components...etc that you used)

Mediocare is a smart medication reminder that helps patients take their medicine on time with the correct instructions.
It uses sensors, a display, sound alerts, and buttons to notify and interact with the user.

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/4YOmalLV5uG-ingenious-elzing-lappi

Circuit Wiring:

Arduino as the Main Controller – Connects to all components.
LCD Display (I2C) – Connected via SDA & SCL pins ,vcc,GND
RTC Module (DS3231) – Uses SDA & SCL,vcc ,GND
Buzzer & LEDs –
- Buzzer: Alerts the patient when medication is due.
- LED Group 1 (Medicine after meal): Connected with pin 9 and GND
- LED Group 2 (Medicine on an empty stomach):Connected with pin 10 and GND
Push Buttons –
- Confirm Button: Connected with pin6 and GND
- Snooze Button: Connected with pin7 and GND

2- Components and Their Functions

🔹 Input Components (User Interaction & Sensors)

RTC Module (DS3231) → Keeps track of real-time date and time to trigger reminders.
Push Buttons → Allow the user to confirm medication intake or snooze the alarm.

🔹 Output Components (Notifications & Display)

LCD Display (I2C 16x2) → Shows medicine reminders & instructions (e.g., "Take with food").
Buzzer → Emits a sound alert when it’s time for medication.
LED Indicators → Light up to show an active reminder or a missed dose.

2-How Everything Works Together

RTC Module tracks the time and compares it with the pre-set medication schedule.
When it’s time for a dose:
- Buzzer sounds + LED lights up + LCD displays medicine details.
User options:
- Press a button to confirm they took the medicine (stops alarm).
- Press another button to snooze (reminds again after a short delay).

3-Software & Tools Used

🔹Arduino IDE

🔹Tinkercad

4- Final Integration

Combines hardware (Arduino, RTC, LCD, sensors) and software (Arduino IDE programming).
Ensures patients take medication at the right time with the right instructions.

5- What is your power source? How did you select the suitable power source for your project? (List the softwares/tools/components...etc that you used)

9V DC Adapter – Power Supply Overview

Why 9V? Suitable for Arduino Uno (7-12V range), ensuring stable power for all components.
Current Supply: Supports LCD, LEDs, buzzer, and push buttons without overload.
Reliability: Provides continuous operation, unlike batteries.
Setup: Connected via Arduino’s barrel jack, with built-in regulation to 5V for components.

Project Programming

6- Describe the code of your project. How did you program each function of the project?

The project is programmed in Arduino C, using millis() The code controls an alarm-based medication reminder system with a snooze feature, a confirmation button, and an LCD display for real-time feedback.

sources of inspiration

1-Simple Arduino Based Medicine Reminder Project

2-Medicine Reminder Using Arduino | Arduino Project Hub

1. Setup Function

Initializes LCD, RTC, LEDs, Buzzer, and Buttons.

Sets pin modes for input (buttons) and output (LEDs, buzzer).
Displays a startup message.

Alarm Logic using millis

Group 1 (After Meal):
- Triggers every 6 seconds using millis().
- Activates buzzer and LED1.
- Displays a reminder message.
Group 2 (Empty Stomach):
- Triggers every 12 seconds using millis().
- Activates buzzer and LED2.
- Displays a reminder message.

Button Control Logic

Confirm Button (Pin 7):
- Stops alarm (buzzer and LED off).
- Displays a confirmation message.
- Resets timer for the next dose.
Snooze Button (Pin 6):
- Stops the alarm temporarily.
- Delays the reminder by 3 seconds.
- Reactivates the alarm after snooze time.

2. Main Loop (loop())

Continuously checks the time and handles alarms.

Continuously updates time and date on the LCD screen using the RTC module.
Ensures that the current time is always visible to the user.

. Group 1 - After Meal Reminder

Triggers every 6 seconds if not snoozed or already active.
Activates LED1 & Buzzer to signal the medication reminder.
Displays reminder message on the LCD.
Waits for user interaction (Confirm or Snooze).
- If the button is pressed → Confirm intake → Turn off alarm.
- If the snooze button is pressed → Pause alarm temporarily.

. Group 2 - Empty Stomach Reminder

Triggers every 12 seconds if not snoozed or already active.
Activates LED2 & Buzzer for a second medication reminder.
Displays reminder message on the LCD.
Waits for user interaction (Confirm or Snooze).
- If the button is pressed → Confirm intake → Turn off alarm.
- If the snooze button is pressed → Pause alarm

Snooze Button Logic

Pauses Alarm for 3 Seconds when pressed.
Turns Off Buzzer & LED, resets alarm state.
Resumes Reminder after the snooze period.
Works for Both Groups (After Meal & Empty Stomach).

Project Integration & Testing

7- Demonstrate with text and visuals how did you integrate the project’s modules together? What are the testing results? (Include a Demo video separately, showing a proof of functionality)

1- test the functionality of each part in electronic circuits especially RTC when integrated with LCD display

VID20250307231952.mp4

2- integrate buzzer and LEDs with RTC and LCD

VID20250226143113.mp4

3-integrate the electronic components in physical parts of device

part1.mp4

VID20250312224326.mp4

testing minumum feature before enclosure

minumum.mp4

After enclosure

Sharing & Collaboration

8- Did you ask for feedback? What are the ideas that others have contributed or suggested? What was someone else’s idea that you built upon? How did you help your peers? How did your peers help you?

1. Seeking Feedback

I asked for feedback from my instructors and peers to improve the project. Their advice helped me make better design and functionality choices.

Instructors' Feedback:
- Ahmed Sami advised me to make the device smaller and add side holders. He also gave me valuable guidance throughout the project.
- Farida helped me design a hinged box using plywood.
- Abdelrahman Orabi suggested reducing the pill organizers from three to two to make the structure stronger.
Peers' Contributions:
- Mayar helped me decide where to place the LEDs.
- Yasmin helped me with the dimension of the push button and LEDs.
- Batool showed me how to mount electronic components in Fusion 360.
- Aya Shawkey helped with integrating electronic components into the plywood parts.

2. How I Helped My Peers

I helped my friends by answering their questions about Fusion 360 and electronics, explaining things they needed help with.

Overcoming Challenges

9- When you got stuck, what/who did you turn to? At what point did you have to pause to research or learn more before moving on? What are some mistakes, pitfalls, or challenges that others can avoid if they were doing this project?

1- 3D Printing Challenge: The side of the device was too large to be sliced properly in the Cura software. My instructor helped me resize it to fit the Prusa 3D printer.

2- Pill Organizer Issue: Initially, the device was designed to hold three pill organizer boxes, but after laser cutting, the spaces between them turned out to be too thin and fragile. Abdelrahman Orabi suggested modifying the design to hold two boxes instead of three for better durability.

3- Plywood Issue: The laser machine wasn't cutting properly due to a defect in the plywood sheet. The issue was resolved by replacing it with a new sheet.

4- Assembly Problem: I originally relied on a press-fit design for assembling the parts, but it didn’t work as expected. To fix this, I drilled holes in the front and bottom parts and used tall bolts to secure them together.

before modification offace part

endless trials to fix face part 🥲

after modification of face part

Future Work

10- If you had more time, what is one thing you would change/ Do next in your project?

1-I need to refine the full functionality, as the code works well on individual components but fails after integration. I didn't have enough time for troubleshooting.

2-I want to enhance the device’s appearance by spray-painting it for a better finish.

3- i want work on nice to have feature

Final Project Design Files

Design of mediocare device

pill organizer design

Laser cutting dxf files

3D-part stl file

g-cod

code file

"It always seems impossible until it’s done" Nelson Mandela

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