Some time ago, OFweek 3D Printing Network covered the development of upcoming 3D printing tablets and a custom-dose 3D tablet printer. This highlights how 3D printing is making a lasting impact in the biomedical field.
On the popular DIY platform Hackaday, an active user named Joe, based in Boston, Massachusetts, and holding a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Oregon State University, recently developed a device controlled by a Raspberry Pi using 3D printing technology. He called it a "drug vending machine," designed to help medical staff or family members manage medication delivery for patients more efficiently.
The image above shows the prototype of this innovative device. If you've ever cared for someone with chronic illness, you know that timing and dosage are crucial. While there are pill organizers on the market, they often fall short when multiple daily doses are required.
Joe's Smart Desktop Medicine Organizer automatically sorts pills according to prescriptions, storing each dose separately and allowing access through an automated system. The second image illustrates the internal structure of the device.
This smart organizer not only helps caregivers and patients manage medications accurately but also features built-in Wi-Fi and cloud connectivity. As Joe explains, this allows real-time transfer of drug inventory and usage data directly to doctors and pharmacies, enabling better monitoring of patient medication habits.
Additionally, the device includes a feature called "smart drug control." Connected to the cloud, it can check if drugs are safe to take together and alert users if improper combinations occur. It can also limit the frequency of dispensing to prevent overdosing.
Joe says, "This project is my solution to medication non-compliance." He adds that inappropriate medication includes forgetting to take prescribed drugs, taking too much, or combining incompatible medications.
Improper medication costs the U.S. over $300 billion annually, and 30% of elderly deaths are linked to it. One common issue is patients forgetting their meds. The Smart Desktop Pill Organizer not only reminds patients when to take their medication but also supports more complex, dynamic schedules, such as intermittent pain relief without overdose risk.
The third image shows the interface of the device. Joe runs a web server on the Raspberry Pi, providing a kiosk-mode web page on a PiTFT resistive touch screen. This interface allows users to send commands to control servos and read encoders.
The Raspberry Pi also has a Wi-Fi adapter, enabling remote management via smartphone. Additionally, all medication plans and inventory data are stored locally in an SQLite database.
Like many makers, Joe has shared full programming instructions, software libraries, and a list of components needed for the project on his Hackaday blog. You can check out his detailed logs and 3D-printed parts there.
The final image shows the completed unit, highlighting the integration of 3D printing and smart technology in modern healthcare solutions.
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