Detectability and appraisal thresholds of split pulse signals for the MemoPatch™ device, an electronic skin patch intended to deliver tactile medication reminder signals (study TS-104)

• Main Authors: Abraham, Ivo, De Geest, Wim, De Geest, Jan, De Troy, Elke, MacDonald, Karen
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: adherence; Application specific integrated circuits; Appraisal; detectability; Hair; Laboratories; patch; pulse signals; Skin; Threshold current; Training
• ISSN: 1094-687X; 1558-4615; 2694-0604
• DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2013.6609650

Patient non-adherence to prescribed medication regimens is a significant problem and affects clinical treatment outcomes. The MemoPatch™ medical device, currently in development, is an electronic skin patch intended to deliver tactile medication reminder signals. Fifty volunteers completed a laboratory experiment that evaluated the detectability and appraisal thresholds of five split signals; specifically, the current thresholds (in mA) at which a signal was detected (threshold T1), was considered sufficiently detectable to serve as a reminder signal (threshold T2), and became too strong as a reminder signal (threshold T3). Signals were selected under consideration of three data points: T1 Max and T2 Max (defined as, resp., the maximum current observed at T1 and T2) and T3 Pct90 (the T3 current at the 90 th percentile). A signal was considered to be useable in future versions of the MemoPatch™ device if it met the constraint that (T3Pct90-T2Max) should not be negative. One signal met the constraint requirement as its T3Pct90-T2Max=0.96mA.