MedPunctual

Globally, there are nearly 720 million individuals aged 65 and above, while in Bangladesh, the number of people aged 60 and above is approximately 15 million. The increasing elderly population is putting additional pressure on healthcare systems, resulting in higher operational costs and resource demands. Bangladesh, with a population exceeding 173 million, is facing challenges in providing adequate medical support, especially for the elderly. Many senior citizens struggle to access timely medication and health checkups due to a lack of assistance. With a high patient-to-nurse ratio (5000:1), the current medical infrastructure falls short of meeting standard requirements. Our team Nebula Pulse aims to tackle this issue with our project, MedPunctual, a innovative pill box designed to deliver pills on time, monitor daily health, and track pill counts to alert for refills. Regular checkups and easy health monitoring are crucial for older individuals. Ensuring the medication is taken on time and avoiding depletion of pill supply is a must. Leveraging technological assistance is important to ensure the proper care of the elderly. This will provide valuable healthcare assistance to elderly and disabled individuals. 

This project introduces a revolutionary pill box named MedPunctual, specifically engineered to ensure timely medication delivery, daily health monitoring, and pill supply management. Unlike conventional pill organizers, MedPunctual utilizes advanced computer vision technology to detect and quantify pills, sorting them according to user preferences. Moreover, integrated IoT capabilities allow the device to track vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, generating comprehensive health reports aligned with medication intake.

Equipped with Pulse Oximetry, Heart-rate monitoring, and Pressure sensors, MedPunctual accurately measures oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure of the patient. Its mechanical design facilitates the storage of various medications across multiple layers, featuring an LED screen and a finger slot embedded with sensors for continuous health monitoring. MedPunctual streamlines routine checkups through sensor-based health assessments and ensures timely medication intake based on stored prescription data, utilizing LED identification to simplify pill selection. In the future, we plan to automate pill extraction for further convenience..

Additionally, MedPunctual's multi-user functionality enables it to cater to multiple family members, providing personalized health monitoring and medication reminders for each individual. Connected to a user-friendly app, the device allows users to schedule medication intake in real-time, track the number of doses taken, and receive alerts for pill refills. Notifications for medication intake and refill requirements are sent to patients or caregivers through both the device and the app.

Furthermore, the app features separate sections for patients and doctors, enabling remote patient monitoring, medication recommendations, and assessment of overall treatment progress by healthcare professionals. It serves as a seamless communication platform, facilitating interaction between doctors and patients and offering statistical visualizations of patients' health reports to track changes in their health conditions.

Moreover, MedPunctual's advanced capabilities extend to predictive analytics, allowing it to forecast the likelihood of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease in the near future based on gathered data from its sensors.

To summarize, our pioneering solution seeks to support the elderly population through technological innovations. Our device stores medication and delivers gentle reminders for timely intake, employing LED identification to simplify pill selection. Our future plans involve automating pill extraction for enhanced convenience. Moreover, our device features a finger slot equipped with sensors, enabling seniors to independently monitor vital signs without external assistance.

Project Link: MedPunctual

Our solution, MedPunctual, targets primarily the elderly population within our society, who often face numerous health challenges and require regular medication and care. Unfortunately, many elderly individuals lack adequate support, relying heavily on family members or nurses for healthcare assistance. However, factors such as forgetfulness and other challenges can create gaps in their healthcare management.

To address this issue, we leverage technology to bridge these gaps in elderly healthcare. Our device facilitates remote monitoring of disabled patients, ensuring they receive timely reminders for medication intake. Additionally, it alerts family members when pill supplies are running low, prompting them to refill prescriptions promptly. In essence, MedPunctual aims to improve medication adherence and facilitate regular health monitoring for the elderly and disabled.

Furthermore, our solution is not limited to individual use but can also be implemented in medical centers and hospitals to enhance nursing assistance through technological integration. Ongoing developments focus on refining the device's design for increased complexity and portability, thereby expanding its utility within the medical industry.

The growth of MedPunctual stems from personal experiences within our team. Each of us has a family member aged over 60, and we've encountered the challenges of ensuring timely medication and checkups for them firsthand. For instance, Nihal Baig, one of our team members, has a grandparent who relies on his support for medication adherence. Similarly, I have my father who, being above 60, struggles to manage regular checkups without assistance. The common thread among us is the recognition that forgetfulness or the lack of notifications often results in medication lapses, impacting the health and well-being of our loved ones.

Motivated by these experiences, our diverse team from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, comprising Nihal Baig (Computer Science and Engineering), Mowaz Mohammed Abdul Karim (Civil and Environmental Engineering), and Pramit Dey (Mechanical Engineering), collaborated to develop MedPunctual. Drawing upon our individual strengths and backgrounds, we aimed to create a solution that would aid elderly and disabled individuals in managing their medication at home.

In my role as team lead, I bring a wealth of experience in providing volunteering support to people from diverse communities and backgrounds in our country. My involvement in providing medication support during times of crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters like floods in the Sylhet Sunamganj area, has sensitized me to the pressing needs of our society. Communication and motivation are my primary strengths, which I leverage to drive our team forward.

Nihal Baig, with his exceptional background in robotics and technology as a Deep Learning Engineer, brings invaluable expertise to the project. His experience in computer vision projects and leadership roles within our university's robotics organization, RoboSUST, positions him as a key contributor to MedPunctual's development.

Similarly, Pramit Dey's expertise as an exceptional product designer equips us with the skills to model and build a high-quality product. His experience as a former General Secretary of RoboSUST underscores his superior leadership abilities, which will be instrumental in guiding our team to success.

Together, we are committed to leveraging our collective skills and experiences to create a solution that addresses the critical healthcare needs of elderly and disabled individuals, ensuring they receive the timely medication and support they require for optimal health and well-being.

We've completed the initial version of our project, MedPunctual. At this stage, MedPunctual can utilize computer vision to identify pills and accurately count them. We've created a physical model with pill trays and boxes using 3D printing technology. Our machine learning model, developed with Azure Custom Vision, effectively identifies and counts pills. Additionally, we've integrated a real-time clock module using ESP-32 to provide timely notifications for pill intake. While we continue to work on integrating health monitoring sensors into the application, our progress thus far has been promising. That is why we chose the prototype stage from above.

At this stage, we see great promise in our project, MedPunctual. However, introducing a novel healthcare technology comes with its share of challenges. We anticipate overcoming technical, legal, financial, cultural, and market barriers with the support of the Solve community. MedPunctual has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare system, benefiting not only the elderly but people of all ages.

While IoT sensors offer significant advantages, they also have limitations, particularly regarding accuracy. To address this, we plan to incorporate the MAX30100 sensor for heart rate and oxygen saturation monitoring, known for its decent accuracy. However, accurately measuring blood pressure from just the fingertip presents challenges. Research suggests that using the Bosch Sensortec BMP180 pressure sensor may provide accurate blood pressure measurements, but we still require support from the Solve community to refine our device.

As a new healthcare product, we must navigate legal restrictions, especially regarding regulatory approval. Additionally, we recognize the importance of cultural sensitivity in introducing MedPunctual to diverse communities. Understanding market barriers and finding effective strategies to penetrate them are essential for successful adoption. Financial support is also crucial for the development and deployment of our project, making Solve the ideal platform for us to seek assistance.

Our ultimate goal is to fully develop MedPunctual and deploy it to serve communities, improving the lives of people worldwide. We are eager to collaborate with the Solve community to overcome challenges and make this vision a reality.

The elderly population is a valuable asset to our society, but their increasing numbers highlight the need for enhanced healthcare attention. Many elderly individuals require medication and regular health checkups, but challenges such as forgetfulness, dementia, or physical limitations can hinder timely medication and checkups. Vital signs like oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and heart rate are crucial indicators of health, as they can help detect serious conditions like heart disease and strokes.

Recognizing these challenges, our innovative solution aims to assist the elderly population through technological advancements. Our device stores pills and provides gentle reminders for proper intake, utilizing LED identification to simplify pill selection. In the future, we plan to automate pill extraction for further convenience. Additionally, our device includes a finger slot embedded with sensors, allowing seniors to assess vital signs independently without the need for assistance.

Beyond individual use, we envision applying our technology in hospitals and clinics to support patients in medication management and health monitoring. Patients admitted to hospitals often encounter similar challenges regarding medication adherence and health checkups, relying heavily on nurses for assistance. By alleviating the burden on doctors and nurses, our solution can streamline healthcare processes and improve efficiency. Through our app service, patients can be remotely monitored, and we plan to develop a web service for hospitals and healthcare centers to scale our solution effectively.

Our solution, MedPunctual, aims to address the challenge of inadequate healthcare support for the elderly and disabled population by leveraging technology to improve medication management and health monitoring. Here's how we expect our solution to have an impact:

1. Activities: We have developed a pill box equipped with sensors and AI technology to accurately identify and quantify pills. Additionally, we have integrated sensors for vital signs monitoring and IoT capabilities for timely medication delivery and supply management. A user-friendly app complements the device, enabling users to schedule medication intake, track doses, and receive alerts for refills.

2. Immediate Outputs: Our pill box efficiently identify, quantify and classify pills, monitors vital signs, and ensures timely medication delivery. The app provides users with convenient features for medication management and alerts.

3. Longer-Term Outcomes:
   -Improved Medication Adherence: With timely reminders and easy pill identification, users are more likely to adhere to their medication regimen, leading to better health outcomes.
   -Enhanced Health Monitoring: Regular monitoring of vital signs allows for early detection of health issues, reducing the risk of complications and improving overall health.
   -Reduced Healthcare Burden: By empowering individuals to manage their medication and health at home, our solution reduces the burden on healthcare systems, freeing up resources for more critical needs.
   -Increased Independence: Seniors and disabled individuals gain independence in managing their health, leading to improved quality of life and reduced reliance on caregivers.

4. Evidence Supporting the Theory of Change: Research has shown that medication non-adherence is a significant issue among the elderly and disabled population, leading to adverse health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of reminder systems and technology in improving medication adherence and health monitoring. Interviews with our target population have highlighted the challenges they face in managing medication and health, indicating a need for solutions like MedPunctual.

Overall, by addressing the root causes of medication non-adherence and inadequate health monitoring, we expect MedPunctual to positively impact the well-being of the elderly and disabled population, leading to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare burden in the long run.

Through our solution, we aim to contribute to achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Specifically, our target is to substantially increase health financing and improve the recruitment, development, training, and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, with a focus on least developed countries. One primary indicator of this target is health worker density and distribution, addressing the issue of the non-standard patient-to-nurse ratio (5000:1) through our technology.

In addition to aligning with SDG goals, we have identified other indicators for our impact:

1) Healthcare services tailored for the elderly and disabled.
2) Medication support specifically designed for the elderly and disabled.
3) Application of technology in healthcare industries.

Overall, our aim is to effectively address these indicators and provide meaningful support to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality for the elderly and disabled populations.

In our project, we leverage various technologies to enhance the functionality and usability of MedPunctual:

Artificial Intelligence: We utilize computer vision powered by Azure Custom Vision to accurately identify and quantify pills, creating a custom dataset for pill identification. We developed locally hosted model to ensure efficient processing, while Azure Technology enables scalability for future development thus implemented in prototype.

Sensor Technology: MedPunctual is equipped with Pulse Oximetry, Heart-rate monitoring, and Pressure sensors, allowing for precise measurement of oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure, thus providing comprehensive health monitoring capabilities.

Internet of Things (IoT): Through IoT integration, we ensure timely medication delivery, daily health monitoring, and efficient pill supply management, enhancing the overall effectiveness of MedPunctual.

Software and Mobile Applications: Connected to a user-friendly app, our device enables real-time scheduling of medication intake, dose tracking, and alerts for pill refills. Users receive notifications for medication intake and refill requirements via both the device and the app, ensuring seamless medication management.

Audiovisual Media: Our service offers audio assistance for dose notifications, enhancing accessibility. Additionally, visual media is provided for refill reminders and pill identification, catering to various user preferences and needs.

Our team primarily consists of six members,

Full time: 4 members.

Part time: 2 members.

Our team has been working on this solution for 5 months.

Our team comprises members from diverse backgrounds, contributing to our strength and unity. Among our full-time staff are Mirza Nihal Baig, Mowaz Mohammed Abdul Karim, Pramit Dey, and Khoirom Annapurna each bringing unique perspectives shaped by their religious beliefs—Nihal and I practice Islam, while Pramit and Annapurna follows Hinduism. Additionally, our part-time staff includes Raisa, a female member, and Nainaiu Rakhaine, who represents an indigenous community in our country. 

We deeply value and respect each team member, fostering a culture of inclusion and equity. Our collective experience underscores the belief that diversity enriches our work, enabling us to benefit from a wide range of perspectives and insights. Through our collaboration on various projects, we've strengthened our bonds and demonstrated the positive impact of embracing diversity.

Our business model encompasses a range of key partners, including industries, government bodies, component suppliers, and B2B collaborators. Our primary activities revolve around the production of our device, integrating sensors and Microsoft Azure technology. We also focus on research and development, product marketing, and establishing connections with medical professionals. Key resources essential to our operations include raw materials and capital, R&D data, Azure and IoT technology, and a skilled workforce.

Our value proposition centers on the Elderly Portable Health Assistive Tool, offering timely medication support with pill identification, quantification, and extraction, as well as daily health and vitality monitoring support, and remote assessment of patients. Our customer segments include Personal Service Relationship and Tech-based (Website, App) services, catering to both hospitals seeking nursing support for medication and health monitoring, as well as individual consumers seeking comprehensive health assistance through a single tool.

We utilize various customer channels, such as Operational Shops, Pick up B2B, B2C, and Online sales channels, to reach our target audience effectively. Our cost structure is divided into development costs and operational costs, while our revenue generation primarily stems from the sale of products to hospitals and personal customers, as well as through a Monthly Subscription Model.

We wish to bring money through raising investment capital and service contracts to governments. In the long term we expect that our revenue streams will cover our expenses.

We received monetary support from faculties of our university to develop our prototype. We will soon begin fund raising to support our project.

We will Generate our revenue from:

1) Sale of Products

2) Subscription based model