Minitype ATDPS

它是什么?

A desktop-grade machine that can automatically dispense and package tablets, print information on packages. With the APP operation interface, pharmacist can use it to provide a continuous single-dose pack to the patient for easy medication.

你的灵感

As a gastrointestinal patient, I need to take a variety of tablet, but the existing tablet packaging often makes me not take the medicine correctly. My tutor introduced me a single-dose pharmaceutical package, which I find very practical and convenient. But the current automatic production of such a package requires a very expensive large machine. Later, I went to the nursing home and found that the pharmacists there needed to dispense tablets manually every day. So, I wanted to design a low-cost small machine that would help pharmacists work more efficiently, and would be able to provide single-dose packs to patients for easy medication.

如何运作？

First, the pharmacist scan code and type to input the patient information and the prescription information on the APP. After checking, different tablets are respectively poured into different dispensers according to the light instruction. The tablet dispenser is a universal design, which is suitable for most tablets. It uses the rotation of the turntable to rub tablets and the volute inner wall, separates tablets into single particles, and then dispenses tablets according to the prescription through photoelectric sensor detection and motor control. All the dispensed tablets are collected by the funnel into the wrapping paper which is printed by the thermal printing module in advance, and finally the wrapping paper containing tablets is heat sealed. The produced continuous tablet pack slides out from the exit and is collected by the pharmacist for proofreading and then delivered to the patient.

设计过程

Initially, many versions of the tablet dispenser were tried. The basic form was determined considering the factors such as easy cleaning and volume. The original physical sample used a valve to control outlet and a tapered turntable. It was found that the tablet could not be prevented from falling out in time. The turntable was later modified to resemble an inverted conical profiled surface and the valve was removed. The 3D printed sample test found that the dispensing effect was good, but there were still some tablets stuck at the exit and stagnated above, so the inner wall structure was adjusted and agitated plates were added to the column of the turntable. Considering that there is excess tablets to be exported, the funnel is designed as a double tube and the steering motor is used to control the baffle. The print function uses a mature thermal print module. The heat seal function was originally designed to be powered by a motor and springs; it was later powered directly by a push-pull electromagnet and heat-sealed using a bent electric heating wire. The overall frame is made of acrylic sheet, the hardware is controlled by Arduino, and the APP is written based on HTML5. The two communicate through BLE.

它有什么不同？

A universal tablet dispenser for tablets of all shapes and sizes. There is no need to store large quantities of tablets in the machine like the existing ATDPS and customize the structure for different tablets. The dispenser is easy to remove and wash to keep hygienic and safe. Small size, low cost, complete dispensing, printing, packaging, returning medicine and other functions. Suitable for use in nursing homes and pharmacies, it is better to popularize single-dose pharmaceutical packaging to facilitate people taking medicine.

未来计划

The functional structure design will be further optimized to enhance its accuracy, stability, work efficiency and hygienic safety, and to increase the function such as the identification of the accurate dispensing of medicines, and the return of pharmaceutical containers. Cooperate with pharmacists to test and optimize the interaction process. Will turn to professional companies, improve the integrity of the design, and complete the industrialization of the design.

奖项

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Design School Excellent Graduation Design Gold Award