Adhero Pack

What it does

Adhero Pack facilitates in enabling, monitoring and management of Adherence for Anti Retro Viral therapy (A-R-T) for HIV Treatment by logging the pill deployment in relation to time using a novel Analogue method. Which later helps to reduce the HIV epidemic.

Your inspiration

Resource challenged parts of Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 51% of the 1.5 million new HIV infections worldwide in 2022. Women and children are disproportionately affected, Since there is no cure for HIV, the most practical treatment is antiretroviral(ART) therapy to achieve and maintain viral suppression. However, since ART treatment comes with multiple challenges from complicated regimens with numerous tablets and othe rcultural & systematic challenges such as lack of accountability of care givers of patients to Lack of access to updated infrastructure to manage treatments.

How it works

Adhero Pack are given to the patients from their respected ART centers of the communities. Once the patient or caregiver begins dispensing the tablets by turning the rotary knob of the bottle according to the regimen, the Adhero pack exposes the inbuilt chrono chromic strip with each tablet deployment. This exposure starts a reaction on the strip with atmosphere, causing fading of the color on each tablet deployment to gradually leave a unique chromic signature on the strip that indicates how recent or early the deployments occurred. At the end of the regimen or on the date of their next ART center visit, the patient can return the Adhero pack, allowing healthcare workers to scan the chrono chromic strip using the Adhero pack app.The Colour detection algorithms in the application analyze the chromatic signature to provides clear data on the patient's adherence, while enabling healthcare workers to manage & track the patient's progress using the same platform.

Design process

Multiple literature reviews & surveys were done to understand the ART therapy and its challenges in areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa.Online interviews were done with infectious disease specialists and ART treatment center nurses with considerable Sub-Saharan African(Mozambique,South Africa & Nigeria) healthcare expertise to better understand the outbreak. Additionally, consultations with pediatric doctors and nurses were held to enhance design decisions for age inclusivity, particularly given the majority of affected patients are infants & childrens. During the Ideation phase, the objective was to explore a novel and cost-effective solution for addressing adherence and accountability issues. Multiple concepts, such as Thermal paper logger and Impression stamping mechanism, were consequently explored and rapidly prototyped, yet most did not meet the product requirement specifications. The Chronochromic strip concept was tested & validated using disappearing ink (Thymolphthalein) and tested with magic ink and UV-inhibited sunscreen. Several physical prototypes were created to integrate a mechanism that dispenses pills while revealing the Chrono chromic strip. A push stick mechanism was chosen for its efficient operation and cost-effectiveness, driven by its minimal moving parts.

How it is different

Addressing the HIV epidemic varies based on available resources in different countries. Developed nations employ advanced treatment and medication techniques, leveraging digital and technological infrastructure, which cannot be easily replicated in resource-limited settings lacking adequate tech support. On the other hand, the Adheropack proposes a solution that minimizes resource demands on affected communities while utilizing existing networks and telecommunications systems to facilitate adherence management for ART centers. This approach is expected to greatly enhance patient health outcomes by effectively reducing and suppressing viral loads. Hence Adhero pack can improve health outcomes for individuals living with HIV bridging the digital divide and promoting equitable access to quality healthcare services.

Future plans

The Adheropack proposes a promising novel & simple solution for Adherence tracking.Hence it has the potential to expand the same system to other medical packaging and dispensing products which will be great tool to improve healthcare in limited resource communities. It is also in process to apply for A UK Patent application has been filed which covers the many innovative aspects of the design. The commercial potential of the Adhero pack system is exciting, and this patent protection will allow continued development into the product.

Awards