Smart pill bottle prototype to monitor tuberculosis treatment

Abstract

Introduction: The study sought to design, develop and conduct a feasibility assessment of a smart pill bottle prototype tool to monitor tuberculosis treatment. It was guided by the following specific objectives: to identify the requirements necessary for the design and development of the smart pill bottle prototype, to design and develop a smart pill bottle prototype that notifies and reminds patients to pursue with their medication and to assess design options that would best meet user needs, technical specifications, and prototype functionality.

Methods: A Design Science research methodology guided the design and development of the Smart pill bottle prototype using Unified Modelling Language 2.0, MP-Lap as environment for C-Programming language and Eagle software for testing simulation. In addition, a microcontroller was connected to Global Systems for Mobile communication module to establish a connection between a bottle and the user. The design options for the next prototype were ascertained using qualitative research approach by use of key informant and in-depth interviews.

Results: Study results indicate tracking of bottle opening and closing, vibration and LED color lights, pill count, generated SMS reminder and treatment monitoring events as functional requirements for the development of the Smart Pill Bottle Prototype. For the nonfunctional requirements, privacy, confidentiality, security, portability, portability and reliability were identified and included in development and design of Smart Pill Bottle Prototype. A Smart Pill Bottle Prototype was a fully developed to monitor Tuberculosis treatment. Design options for the next version of prototype were ascertained; partitioning the prototype to accommodate the different drug combination doses, reducing size of prototype to pocket-size and considering user friendly interface for health workers to interact with the bottle.

Conclusion: The prototype developed bears features and functions that meets the desired needs as suggested by health workers and TB/HIV clients. The users have considered the embedded features and functions to be effective in monitoring TB treatment adherence for better patient treatment compliance. Functionality testing of the Smart Pill Bottle Prototype indicated error-free dependable prototype as demonstrated from selected users; Clinicians and TB patients at TASO Clinic Entebbe. Thus, this smart pill bottle prototype helps maintain direct communication between patient and health personnel and is recommended for use for effective TB treatment adherence.