EpiPen Auto-Alert

Rationale

Epinephrine autoinjectors or EpiPens, are prescribed to millions of Americans each year to treat allergen-induced anaphylaxis. The EpiPen protocol requires anaphylactic allergy patients to immediately call 911 after an EpiPen is used during an allergic reaction, to be transported to the ER. Severe anaphylaxis may cause swelling of the throat, leaving the patient gasping for air and an inability to call and talk to first responders, which can be fatal. My device, the EpiPen Auto-Alert, and its accompanying app could save lives by automatically making a call to first responders once activated. The prototype is built with Arduino hardware, and the accompanying app is coded in Java using the Android App Developer Program.

My Idea

My device, the EpiPen Auto-Alert, solves this problem and can save many lives by automatically calling 911 once activated. It alerts medical first responders using a GPS location after the user injects epinephrine into their bloodstream to combat an allergy-induced anaphylactic reaction. It is also very compact and durable. This device will save many more lives in the face of a food-based allergic reaction.

Goal for building EpiPen Auto-Alert

My project idea is to build a prototype of an EpiPen that automatically alerts medical first responders using a GPS location after the user injects epinephrine into their bloodstream to combat an allergy-induced anaphylactic reaction. I also wanted to develop the automation software using Arduino that will send a 911 notification once the EpiPen is activated. The first main step was to build a hardware prototype for the EpiPen Auto-Alert to give me a reliable blueprint of how I can merge auto-injector technology with networking software.

Project Components

Here are all the electronic and software components I used to create this project. The picture on the right shows the test circuit I made to see if the device needed any more components.

The project would include the following:

1. A sensor to indicate when the EpiPen is injected, which is linked to an Arduino board

2. A GPS module to determine the location

3. The Arduino board would use software to communicate to a remote app

4. An Android based app to make phone calls/text messages/email notifications to paramedics/optional contacts.

5. A GUI based app for users to enter their recipient list.

App Development

Dashboard

User Profile

This is the accompanying Android app that I created in addition to the device. There are two pages: a dashboard and a user profile. Once the device is activated, it will send a Bluetooth signal to the app, making the call and texting GPS coordinates. The user profile allows the user to add any additional numbers that want to be called or texted too.

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank Dr. James Stubbs for being my mentor and for his invaluable guidance to help me convert my idea to prototype. I’d also like to thank Dr. Forest and Ms. Davidson from the Create-X I2P program for giving me this incredible opportunity to build this device and allow me to support a cause that I am deeply passionate about. Overall, I had an amazing time with I2P this past summer.

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