Dementia Pill Dispenser
Problem: There are many people with Dementia who need to take pills and can sometimes forget, therefore causing many issues.
Research: Whilst doing some research I stumbled across a design that particularly interested me. It was circular with an alarm system and auto locking, stopping addicts and making sure that people took their pills at the right times. I found it quite interesting, so I decided to use it for inspiration:
After this I realised it would be too hard to take around and too big to place anywhere, so after looking at some YouTube videos, I settled upon another design.
Specifications:
- Will the user know when to take the pill?
- Is it easy to take around?
- Does it also tell the exact time, and alarm goes off at the right time?
- Will it be too big to take abroad?
- What types of pills can it hold?
Design #1 (Blender 4.2): My plan is to allow the person to know when their pill needs to be taken and to make sure they always take them on the right day. My first design includes:
- 28 slots for pills (divided into 4 weeks as seen)
- A lid locking system so that people don’t take ones they’re not meant to on that day
- An alarm and buzzer connected to your phone to notify you
Design #2 (Blender 4.2): In this one I tried to fix the size problem and the portability problem. I made it taller and less wide, but I also made it so that you can take the compartments out for specific days. This means you can go out into London and stick the little box in your pocket or bag. This design includes:
- 2 weeks-worth of pills.
- No auto lock but can hold pills that can’t be oxidised.
- The same Arduino system as design 1.
- 14 small boxes that can hold all the all pills and are portable.
- Your phone is connected to the pill dispenser so when you are out you still know when to take them.
The Arduino alarm system consists of:
- An Arduino nano (this is the main unit so that everything can be powered and connects to the computer for the code)
- An RTC module (For the time)
- And LCD with a 12c module (To show the time)
- A buzzer (to alert the user when to take the pill)
- Three buttons (to set times)
Below is an image of my plan on how it will all connect .
I used a YouTube video (shoutout to JR-ECT)to help me understand how it all works and the coding for the alarm clock: