Case study

Challenge

• Our customer developed an innovative digital medication management device, for patients suffering with chronic diseases.
• The device dispenses the correct dosage of the controlled drug at the correct time, and allows the patient’s care team to remotely monitor them in real-time.
• They knew exactly how they wanted the device to work, but they were unsure of the specification they needed.
• The gearmotor mechanism needed to be small due to the limited space available in the device, but powerful having over 200mNm of torque.

Solution

• Our London and Hong Kong application engineers worked with the customer to produce the correct specification allowing the device to work.
• The PMD team designed a three pole, 15mm gear motor with a 10mm long shaft, giving sufficient power for the device whilst not generating too much noise whilst it was in use.
• The device went through very strict and rigorous tests, to ensure it dispensed the correct dose, at the correct time, and feeding back to the patient’s medical team.

Results

• The device launched into the medical market and was extremely well received, by both patients and medical professionals due to its ease of use and ability to track doses.
• Due to the positive feedback our customer has received in both their local market and Europe, they are now looking to get the device FDA certified.
• Our engineers supported our customer throughout the process, and Precision Microdrives was onboarded for an additional specification for the launch of a new digital medication device.

STAGE 1

Designing for application

• We worked with our customer’s in-house engineering team, to design the specification they needed for the device.
• Due to this being the second project we had delivered with them, we had a good understanding of the challenges they were facing, allowing us to develop a solution quickly.
• We supported our customer throughout the design process, and our in-depth experience with medical applications enabled us to foresee challenges and develop solutions accordingly.

STAGE 2

Manufacturing and testing

• Throughout the joint partnership, PMD was able to ensure that the gearmotor would perform as the customer wanted it to.
• Due to the types of medication, the device was going to administer, the device went through very long and stringent clinical trials to ensure that it would perform as expected.
• These detailed clinical trials significantly reduced the risk of premature device failure, and errors with timed medication administration. This helped to protect their brand reputation and ensure the device worked as planned.

STAGE 3

Results and relationship

• The product was so well received in the customer’s local market as well as in Europe, that they are now looking for FDA Class III certification.
• Our solution allowed the device to pass lengthy medical trials for dosage accuracy, and reporting back to the medical professional as well as complying with all necessary specifications.
• The market for digital medication management systems is growing, and we are now engaged in a follow-on project.