The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	A wireless method for monitoring medication compliance
Author:	Jonas, Jeffrey Scott
View Online:	njit-etd2006-099 (xi, 57 pages ~ 5.9 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Degree:	Master of Science
Program:	Computer Engineering
Document Type:	Thesis
Advisory Committee:	Manikopoulos, Constantine N. (Committee chair) Jones, Quentin (Committee member) De, Swades K. (Committee member)
Date:	2006-08
Keywords:	Medication compliance Caregiver notification
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	There are many devices on the market to help remind patients to take their pills, but most require observation by a caregiver to assure medication compliance. This project demonstrates three modes to detect pill removal from a pillbox: a switch under the pills, a reflective type photointerrupter and a transmissive "electric eye" photosensor. Each mode exhibited blind spots or other failures to detect pill presence, but by combining modes with complementary characteristics, the accuracy of pill detection is greatly increased. Two methods of caregiver notification are demonstrated: text messages transmitted via an attached cellular phone, or the status is collected by a PC which provides an audit trail and daily notification if no pills were taken.