Back Introduction
The Customer’s request
“We want to develop a medication dispenser that automatically provides the right medication at the right time and is easy to use for both healthcare professionals and end users.”
This was the request Metis PPS brought to us. Their ambition: a compact, reliable and intuitive device capable of processing medication rolls, recognizing and handling individual doses and seamlessly functioning within a care environment.
The challenge proved more complex than it appeared. Multiple functions, scanning, transporting, cutting, presenting, and enabling online monitoring had to be integrated into one compact, userfriendly and visually appealing product.
Process
Our approach
For Metis PPS we developed the look and feel, the product architecture and all mechanical components of the dispenser. Throughout the project, we collaborated intensively with Metis PPS, who provided the hardware, software and the cutting mechanism.
The development process included multiple iterations. Using rapid prototyping and continuous testing of functional models, we were able to refine the operation of critical components such as the transport system, the camera module and the cutter.
Process
Research
To achieve a distinct, reliable and compact product, extensive research was conducted into:
- the right principles to unroll the medication in all circumstances
- guiding the medicine roll and and cutted bags reliable for different rolls and pill sizes
- the desired user interaction for both patients and care professionals
- an ergonomic and distict look and feel and material selection to create a homely, non-medical appearance
- the precision of camerabased recognition within limited internal based recognition within limited internal based recognition within limited internal space
- integration of all components into a technically and ergonomically balanced architecture
- design for production, assembly and service
- a product architecture that enables a customizable look and feel tailored to each healthcare provider
These insights formed the basis for the mechanical, functional and aesthetic decisions.
Process
Concept
Based on the research phase, several concepts were developed that combined technology, ergonomics and design. Key principles included:
- A homely, non-clinical appearance to support user acceptance
- A compact internal architecture despite the number of components
- Modularity for production, assembly and longterm serviceability
- Reliable medication handling, independent of roll variations and type of medication
These concepts were validated both visually and functionally through prototyping.
Process
Solution
The final result is a smart medication dispenser that:
- Incorporates interactive guidance to ensure intuitive operation throughout use
- automatically scans, transports, cuts and presents medication from the roll
- connects to a cloudbased management platform for continuous monitoring
- handles multiweek medication rolls despite its compact dimensions
- is modular and prepared for scalable production
- features a warm, homely design with customizable materials for different care settings
Thanks to our inhouse prototyping capabilities and close collaboration with Metis PPS, the positioning of the drive system, camera, cutter, electronics and user interface was optimized into a refined and manufacturable design.
Process
The results
“Through multidisciplinary collaboration, we achieved a distinctive, reliable and userfriendly product ready for the market,” says Metis PPS.
With Thelma, Metis PPS now offers a competitive solution distinguished by:
- strong functionality in a very compact footprint
- high reliability enabled by smart mechanical engineering
- an aesthetic, homely design that increases user acceptance
- a futureproof product architecture
