CHALLENGE
Allow physicians to gather patient data from an embedded digestible device for the duration of a clinical trial.
OUTCOME
A receptor attached to a durable adhesive electrode patch, able to operate under harsh conditions, that is applied to the patient’s skin in order to collect medication adherence data from the embedded digestible device.
For any prescription medication, it is important that patients adhere to the regimen ordered by their physician. Occurring in nearly half of all patients on prescription medication, dosing errors can be the difference between a managed condition and a condition that requires a significant medical intervention. These interventions lead to $290 billion annually in increased medical costs.
To improve medication adherence, Proteus pioneered the revolutionary Raisin™ drug monitoring system. The system combines embedded digestible sensors in ordinary pharmaceuticals with a bandage-like patch on the skin. The patch gathers data for physicians to track when and how many pills are taken.
On the verge of their first clinical trial, Proteus partnered with Worrell to produce the prototypes required for their study.
Worrell needed to produce a patch prototype that could operate under harsh conditions — such as a week soaking in a warm bath. Since patients would be required to wear the device throughout the entire trial period, it also needed to be both comfortable and durable. With these considerations in mind, Worrell’s industrial design, prototyping, and engineering teams set off to create a device that would balance the demanding requirements for form and functionality. After several iterations, designers delivered a sealed, waterproof, triangle-shaped receptor that snapped onto an adhesive electrode for application onto a patient’s skin.
With Worrell’s help, the Raisin™ has proven to be a major step forward in the management of chronic diseases like heart failure, infectious disease, and psychiatric disorders. The system makes medication adherence easier for patients, physicians, family members and caregivers. It also supplies valuable data to pharmaceutical companies regarding how their drugs affect the body. Insights from this data have the potential to increase the effectiveness of future therapies.
UPDATES
In April 2010, Proteus gained FDA approval for their Raisin™ Personal Monitor, which ultimately led to a $24 million exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement with Novartis, to commercialize the technology.
