MEDICINE-INTAKE ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A medicine-intake assistive device comprises of a cylindrical body 1 having a first and second portion arranged with a motorized lid 2 configured with a conduit for securing water filled in the body 1, a touch interactive display panel 4 arranged on body 1 to display list of medicines, a motorized flap 5 arranged on chamber for enabling user to grab selected medicine, a database linked with microcontroller stored with a pre-fed information concerning medicine intake schedule, a speaker 6 integrated on the body 1 to produce audio signals for notifying the user to intake the medicines, a container arranged on the second portion accessed by user to accommodate medicine required to be crushed, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 7 installed on body 1 to detect presence of accommodated medicine.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine-intake assistive device that applies an appropriate pressure on the medicine, in a manner that the medicine is crushed into powder form so that the medicine is easily consumed by the user and detects the level of the stored water in the body and accordingly notifies the user about refill in case the level recedes the threshold value.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Medicine is the field dedicated to the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries in humans. Medicine encompasses various disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. Medical practitioners, such as doctors and nurses, work to promote health and well-being through patient care, research, and education. Medicine combines scientific knowledge, technology, and empathy to alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.

[0003] Traditionally oral administration method is uses. Taking medication by mouth, such as swallowing pills, capsules, or liquids. However, unsuitable for patients with swallowing difficulties. Another traditional method is intake assisting where pill crusher and splitter, a tool designed to crush pills into a powder and sometimes also split them for easier swallowing. while a pill crusher makes swallowing medications easier for some people, not effectively break down all types of pills, leading to inconsistent dosing. Additionally, cleaning and maintaining the device is cumbersome, and there's a risk of cross-contamination between medications. Thus, there is a need to develop an innovative tool that provide a more time-efficient and consistent where traditional methods may fall short and to meet the evolving demands of modern requirements.

[0004] US20240071590A1 discloses the present invention relates to the medicine intake support device includes a processing circuitry and a memory. The processing circuitry acquires a previous medicine intake time and a next scheduled medicine intake time, wherein the previous medicine intake time is a time when a patient previously took a prescription medicine, and the next scheduled medicine intake time is a predetermined time when the patient will take a next dose of the prescription medicine. The memory stores a type of the prescription medicine and a measure in response to the patient's failure to take the type of the prescription medicine in correspondence with each other. If the patient failed to take the prescription medicine, the processing circuitry suggests a response method in response to the patient's failure to take the prescription medicine based on the measure stored in the memory, the previous medicine intake time, the next scheduled medicine intake time, and a current time.

[0005] CN105106018A discloses the present invention relates to a medicine box, an information read prompt monitoring device, a medicine intake management device, a medicine intake management system and a medicine intake management method. The method comprises that an identification reading portion reads the label-side preset medicine intake information carried on the medicine box after the information read prompt monitoring device and the medicine box are mounted together through a part embedded structure, at least compares the device-side preset medicine intake information and the label-side preset medicine intake information and determines whether the information matches each other or not, sends the alarm to an alarm portion if the information does not match, and reminds medicine intake according to medicine intake rule data in the preset medicine intake information. Flexible and efficient medicine intake management can be achieved.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices exist that is capable of storing and crushing the medicine in water bottle. However, these devices lack in detecting the level of the stored water in the body also lack in applying an appropriate pressure on the medicine, in a manner that the medicine is crushed into powder form so that the medicine is easily consumed by the user.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of detecting the level of the stored water in the body and accordingly notifies the user about refill in case the level recedes the threshold value along with capable of applying an appropriate pressure on the medicine, in a manner that the medicine is crushed into powder form so that the medicine is easily consumed by the user.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting the level of the stored water and accordingly notifies the user about refill in case the level recedes the threshold value.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of applying an appropriate pressure on the medicine, in a manner that the medicine is crushed into powder form so that the medicine is easily consumed by the user.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a medicine-intake assistive device that applies an appropriate pressure on the medicine to crushed into powder form so that the medicine is easily consumed by the user along with detects the level of the stored water and in order to notifies the user about refill in case the level recedes the threshold value.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a medicine-intake assistive device, comprising of a cylindrical body having a first and second portion, the body is arranged with a motorized lid configured with a conduit for securing water filled in the body, plurality of chambers arranged in the body stored with multiple medicines in each of the chamber, a touch interactive display panel is arranged on the body to display list of the medicines for enabling a user to select a specific medicine required from the chamber, a motorized flap arranged on each of the chamber to get opened/closed for enabling the user to grab the selected medicine from the opened chamber, a speaker integrated on the body to produce audio signals for notifying the user to intake the medicines, a container having a pair of plates, arranged on the second portion that is accessed by the user to accommodate a medicine required to be crushed.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, proposed device further comprises of an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the body and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of the body, respectively to detect presence of the accommodated medicine in the container, a linear actuator integrated in between surface of the container and each of the to extend/retract for providing an optimum force on the plates, in view of applying an appropriate pressure on the medicine, a suction pump arranged in the container to extract the powdered medicine from the container to the conduit through a duct configured with the container, thereby enabling the user to consume the powdered medicine with the water, a level sensor is embedded in the body for detecting level of the stored water, in case the level recedes a threshold value, an battery is configured with the device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a medicine-intake assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a medicine-intake assistive device that is capable of applying an appropriate pressure on the medicine, in a manner that the medicine is crushed into powder form so that the medicine is easily consumed by the user as well as detecting the level of the stored water in the body and accordingly notifies the user about refill the body in case the level recedes the threshold value.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of a medicine-intake assistive device is illustrated comprises of a cylindrical body 1 having a first and second portion, the cylindrical body 1 is arranged with a motorized lid 2, plurality of chambers 3 arranged in the body 1, a touch interactive display panel 4 is arranged on the body 1, a motorized flap 5 arranged on each of the chamber, a speaker 6 integrated on the body 1, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 7 installed on the body 1, a level sensor 8 is embedded in the body 1.

[0023] The device disclosed here comprises of a cylindrical body 1 having a first and second portion. The body 1 is arranged with a motorized lid 2 configured with a conduit for securing water filled in the body 1. The motorized lid 2 basically comprises of iris lid that typically refers to the iris or aperture mechanism connected with a motor in the camera or optical instruments as it works in a similar manner to that of a human eye for securing water filled in the body 1. The iris consists several thin and overlapping blades that forms an adjustable opening of the lid. Upon actuation of the motorized lid 2 by the microcontroller secures the water filled in the body 1.

[0024] Further, plurality of a touch interactive display panel 4 arranged on the body 1 is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to display list of multiple medicines for enabling a user to select a specific medicine required from the chamber. The touch interactive display panel 4 as mentioned herein is typically an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen that presents output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology, allowing the user to interact directly with the display using their fingers. A touch controller IC (Integrated Circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when the user inputs details regarding medicine required from the chamber. A touch controller is typically connected to an inbuilt microcontroller embedded within the body through various interfaces which may include but are not limited to SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) for enabling the user to select the specific medicine required from the chamber.

[0025] Upon giving the input regarding specific medicine required from the chamber, a motorized flap 5 arranged on each of the chamber is actuated by the microcontroller to get opened/closed for enabling the user to grab the selected medicine from the opened chamber. The flap is connected with a motor which provides movement to the flap in order to enable the user to grab the selected medicine from the opened chamber. The microcontroller directs the lid to get opened for allowing the user to extract water from the body 1 for intake of the medicine.

[0026] Upon intake of the medicine, a database linked with the microcontroller stored with a pre-fed information concerning medicine intake schedule of the user, in accordance to which the microcontroller actuates a speaker 6 integrated on the body 1 to produce audio signals for notifying the user to intake the medicines. The speaker 6 works by receiving signals from the microcontroller, converting them into sound waves through a diaphragm's vibration, and producing audible sounds with the help of amplification and control circuitry in order to notify the user to intake the medicines.

[0027] Further a container having a pair of plates, arranged on the second portion is accessed by the user to accommodate a medicine required to be crushed. An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 7 installed on the body 1 and paired with a processor, captures and processes multiple images of the body 1, to detect presence of the accommodated medicine in the container. An artificial intelligence based imaging unit 7 comprises of a camera lens and a processor, wherein the 360 degree rotatable camera captures multiple images of the body 1 and then the processor carries out a sequence of steps including pre-processing, feature extraction and segmentation. In pre-processing, the unwanted data like noise, background is removed out and the image is converted into a format recommended for feature extraction. The features like pixel intensities of the foreground image are extracted and are sent for classification to detect presence of the accommodated medicine in the container.

[0028] Upon detecting the presence of the accommodated medicine in the container, a linear actuator integrated in between surface of the container and each of the plate, is actuated by the microcontroller to extend/retract for providing an optimum force on the plates, in view of applying an appropriate pressure on the medicine, in a manner that the medicine is crushed into powder form. The linear actuator comprises of a motor, a lead screw and a nut. When activated by the microcontroller, the motor generates rotational force, which is then converted into linear motion through the interaction between the lead screw and the nut. The lead screw, driven by the motor, turns and causes the nut to move along its threads. This movement pushes or pulls the connected chain, exerting pressure on the targeted medicine. As the actuator extends, it applies the necessary pressure on the medicine, in a manner that the medicine is crushed into powder form.

[0029] Upon crushing the medicine into powder form, a suction pump arranged in the container, extract the powdered medicine from the container to the conduit through a duct configured with the container, thereby enabling the user to consume the powdered medicine with the water. The suction pump generates a negative pressure, creating a vacuum in the unit. The conduit connects the pump to the member, where the withdrawn pus is collected. The suction catheter is used to reach the desired area for withdrawing pus. Upon action of the suction unit by the microcontroller, the pump creates a pressure differential, enabling the pus to flow through the conduit into the member. Thus, enables controlled and efficient withdrawing of powdered medicine from the container, thereby enabling the user to consume the powdered medicine with the water.

[0030] Upon consuming the powdered medicine with the water, a level sensor 8 embedded in the body 1 detects the level of the stored water, in case the level recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the speaker 6 to notify the user to refill the body 1. The level sensor 8 used herein is a preferably an ultrasonic level sensor 8. The ultrasonic level sensor 8 works by emitting ultrasonic waves and then measuring the time taken by these waves to bounce back after hitting the surface of the cleaning solution. The ultrasonic sensor includes two main parts viz. transmitter, propagator, reflector and a receiver for measuring the level of cleaning solution in the reservoir. The transmitter sends a short ultrasonic pulse towards the surface of cleaning solution which propagates through the air at the speed of sound and reflects back as an echo to the transmitter as the pulse hits the key. The transmitter then detects the reflected eco from the surface of the cleaning solution and calculations is performed by the sensor based on the time interval between the sending signal and receiving echo to determine the level of cleaning solution in the reservoir. The determined data is sent to the microcontroller in a signal form, in case the level recedes the threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the speaker 6 to notify the user to refill the body 1.

[0031] The following invention works best in following manner. The cylindrical body 1 having the first and second portion, is arranged with the motorized lid 2 configured with the conduit for securing water filled in the body 1 and plurality of chambers 3 are stored with multiple medicines. Further, the touch interactive display panel 4, displays list of the medicines for enabling the user to select the specific medicine required from the chamber. Upon selecting specific medicine, the motorized flap 5 is actuated by the microcontroller to get opened/closed for enabling the user to grab the selected medicine from the opened chamber, and the microcontroller directs the lid to get opened for allowing the user to extract water from the body 1 for intake of the medicine. Further the database linked with the microcontroller stored with a pre-fed information concerning medicine intake schedule of the user, in accordance to which the microcontroller actuates a speaker 6 to produce audio signals for notifying the user to intake the medicines. The container having the pair of plates, is accessed by the user to accommodate the medicine required to be crushed. Upon accommodating the medicine required to be crushed, the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 7 in captures and processes multiple images of the body 1, to detect presence of the accommodated medicine in the container; and the linear actuator is actuated by the microcontroller to extend/retract for providing an optimum force on the plates, in view of applying an appropriate pressure on the medicine, in a manner that the medicine is crushed into powder form. Further the suction pump extract the powdered medicine from the container to the conduit through a duct, enabling the user to consume the powdered medicine with the water.

[0032] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A medicine-intake assistive device, comprising:

i) a cylindrical body 1 having a first and second portion, wherein said body 1 is arranged with a motorized lid 2 configured with a conduit for securing water filled in said body 1;
ii) plurality of chambers 3 arranged in said body 1 stored with multiple medicines in each of said chamber, wherein a touch interactive display panel 4 is arranged on said body 1 that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to display list of said medicines for enabling a user to select a specific medicine required from said chamber;
iii) a motorized flap 5 arranged on each of said chamber that is actuated by said microcontroller to get opened/closed for enabling said user to grab said selected medicine from said opened chamber, wherein said microcontroller directs said lid to get opened for allowing said user to extract water from said body 1 for intake of said medicine;
iv) a database linked with said microcontroller stored with a pre-fed information concerning medicine intake schedule of said user, in accordance to which said microcontroller actuates a speaker 6 integrated on said body 1 to produce audio signals for notifying said user to intake said medicines;
v) a container having a pair of plates, arranged on said second portion that is accessed by said user to accommodate a medicine required to be crushed, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 7 installed on said body 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of said body 1, respectively to detect presence of said accommodated medicine in said container; and
vi) a linear actuator integrated in between surface of said container and each of said plate that is actuated by said microcontroller to extend/retract for providing an optimum force on said plates, in view of applying an appropriate pressure on said medicine, in a manner that said medicine is crushed into powder form, wherein a suction pump arranged in said container to extract said powdered medicine from said container to said conduit through a duct configured with said container, thereby enabling said user to consume said powdered medicine with said water.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a level sensor 8 is embedded in said body 1 for detecting level of said stored water, in case said level recedes a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates said speaker 6 to notify said user to refill said body 1.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

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