Final Report Summary - MEDI-VOICE (A Low Cost, Environmentally Friendly, Smart Packaging Technology to Differentiate European SME Suppliers to Service the Needs of ... Europe's Aging Population)
MEDI-VOICE aimed to address the problems of miss-dosing of prescribed drugs typically by the ageing population and blind / partially sighted people, which kills over 190 000 EU citizens each year. This problem can be broken down in to various areas:
a) taking wrong drugs at wrong time b)
taking right drugs at wrong time
c) complete missed dose.
The MEDI-VOICE product solution addresses all these potential pitfalls.
In order to address these issues, the MEDI-VOICE project has developed a prototype product that prevents patients from taking the wrong dose of drugs at the wrong time, and only allows correct doses of correct drugs to be consumed. Furthermore the product physically prompts the patient to take the prescribed drugs in the correct quantity at the correct time through a recorded voice prompt system.
The MEDI-VOICE prototype product has various built in features that collectively form the ultimate solution. Spoken instructions and a user friendly interface enable blind / partially sighted patients to use it. Embedded electronics in the tablet wallet enable dosing confirmation to be communicated to the user and also records the data for later analysis by the patient's general practitioner.
The MEDI-VOICE project aims to take current state-of-the-art compliance monitoring, enhance it and combine it with our speech technology incorporating them into pharmaceutical blister packaging through novel manufacturing techniques such as in-mould labelling, over moulding and encapsulation. These technologies will overcome the problems associated with non-compliance and miss-dosing, specifically through the incorporation of spoken instructions.
Suitable flexible photovoltaic cells have been identified and a method of over-moulding them has been developed, although, following detailed risk analysis associated with power failure, this technology was not selected for incorporation into the wallet. Designs and prototypes have been produced for the pill wallet, the user interface and the electrical connections to the blister pack, taking the requirements of the target user groups into account. Prototypes have been produced and subjected to user testing by the RNIB and initial discussions with companies who could bring the technology to market have been very encouraging.
Exploitation was discussed at all of the project meetings. A project web portal has been established, and includes access to the project coordinator software from Design Tech. This not only allows public dissemination of selected information, but improves the administration of the project and facilitates active involvement and communication between all partners at times between the face-to-face meetings. A website has been created (see http://www.medi-voice.pera.com online) which is an on-line administrative and archiving tool for the partners. The administrative and archive elements of the website are password protected.
The in-mould labelling of photovoltaics has been successfully demonstrated, and although found not suitable for the wallet, this technology is being considered for spin-off applications. Prototypes demonstrating the integration of the other technologies have been produced and used for user testing and market stimulation activities. Commercially feasible technologies and a product concept has been developed by the consortium, and are expected to lead to further real commercial benefits for all partners after the project.
a) taking wrong drugs at wrong time b)
taking right drugs at wrong time
c) complete missed dose.
The MEDI-VOICE product solution addresses all these potential pitfalls.
In order to address these issues, the MEDI-VOICE project has developed a prototype product that prevents patients from taking the wrong dose of drugs at the wrong time, and only allows correct doses of correct drugs to be consumed. Furthermore the product physically prompts the patient to take the prescribed drugs in the correct quantity at the correct time through a recorded voice prompt system.
The MEDI-VOICE prototype product has various built in features that collectively form the ultimate solution. Spoken instructions and a user friendly interface enable blind / partially sighted patients to use it. Embedded electronics in the tablet wallet enable dosing confirmation to be communicated to the user and also records the data for later analysis by the patient's general practitioner.
The MEDI-VOICE project aims to take current state-of-the-art compliance monitoring, enhance it and combine it with our speech technology incorporating them into pharmaceutical blister packaging through novel manufacturing techniques such as in-mould labelling, over moulding and encapsulation. These technologies will overcome the problems associated with non-compliance and miss-dosing, specifically through the incorporation of spoken instructions.
Suitable flexible photovoltaic cells have been identified and a method of over-moulding them has been developed, although, following detailed risk analysis associated with power failure, this technology was not selected for incorporation into the wallet. Designs and prototypes have been produced for the pill wallet, the user interface and the electrical connections to the blister pack, taking the requirements of the target user groups into account. Prototypes have been produced and subjected to user testing by the RNIB and initial discussions with companies who could bring the technology to market have been very encouraging.
Exploitation was discussed at all of the project meetings. A project web portal has been established, and includes access to the project coordinator software from Design Tech. This not only allows public dissemination of selected information, but improves the administration of the project and facilitates active involvement and communication between all partners at times between the face-to-face meetings. A website has been created (see http://www.medi-voice.pera.com online) which is an on-line administrative and archiving tool for the partners. The administrative and archive elements of the website are password protected.
The in-mould labelling of photovoltaics has been successfully demonstrated, and although found not suitable for the wallet, this technology is being considered for spin-off applications. Prototypes demonstrating the integration of the other technologies have been produced and used for user testing and market stimulation activities. Commercially feasible technologies and a product concept has been developed by the consortium, and are expected to lead to further real commercial benefits for all partners after the project.
