Team Members Cara Dunn Farshad Fahimi Sujan Bhaheetharan Nipun Yamdagni Advisor William L. Murphy

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Client Timothy Juergens, M.D.

UW/VA Hospitals – Geriatric psychiatrist/Sleep specialist

Problem Statement

   Construct a device with the ability to record time & date information during daily operation of a patient’s standard medication box. Stationary alarm should be attached in order to alert the user to take medication. Information should be easily accessed on a computer for the client and patient to discuss, in efforts to ensure proper adherence.

Client Requirements

 Device must obtain data regarding patient’s adherence of their medications.

    Lightweight and durable.

An alarm should alert patient Total prototype cost may not exceed $300.

Normal use, includes cleaning the device, may not interfere with recording.

 Must consume low amounts of power.

Motivation & Significance

 Compliance: Taking correct amount of the prescribed medicine at the correct time.

 Medicine is only helpful when taken correctly.

 Only 24% of people take their medicines correctly.

 Non-compliance causes 125,000 deaths per year in the USA.

Last Semester’s Design

       Texas Instruments MSP430 microcontroller with development kit Program in C language Recognized open compartments Used a 7x4 pill box Switches activated by compartment Lids  Activation recorded by the microcontroller Switch matrix utilized

Design Limitations

       Only had 2x2 switch matrix Switches were not always activated No time-keeping method Lack of sleep function Parallel port interface No computer software for interface with pillbox Cost  The MSP430 microcontroller is too expensive for our need

Overview of Current Design

    Altered existing parts  Switches  7x4 Pill Box Adding new functionality  Power saving functionality  Accurate time keeping  USB Interface Smaller than previous design Computer interface

Solution to Switch Problem

    Altered individual lids Plexiglas makes flat surface for switch actuation Higher accuracy More information from Sujan

New Microcontroller

    MicroChip’s PIC 18F4550 Cheaper More widely known Allows the use of the B.A.S.I.C. programming language  Easier to interface with:   Clock USB

Electronic Components

 USB to Serial (TTL) converter  Allows communication between microcontroller and almost any computer DLP-USB232M  Watch chip  Allows the microcontroller to keep accurate time  Gives non-volatile storage memory DS1307

Alarm

 Auditory, visual, and vibratory alarm possible  Further investigation required to determine which alarm techniques will be used.

 Alarm times are variable

Computer Interface

  Allows the setting alarm schedule Allows download  of patient data Easy to use and navigate

Present Accomplishments

   Established communication between microcontroller and PC Installed Plexiglas to increase stable contact area between the compartment lid and switch Began writing code in B.A.S.I.C.

Future Work

     Convert code from C programming language to B.A.S.I.C. Implementing time functionality Integrate alarm clock Test entire prototype Have final circuit printed

     References VIASYS Healthcare, Inc.

University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Electronics Lab http://www.dipdesign.com/usb/usb232.html

http://www.sparkfun.com

http://www.microchip.com