Devices, systems, and methods for adherence monitoring and devices, systems, and methods for monitoring use of consumable dispensers

• US 10,002,517 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2017
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gecko Health Innovations, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Gecko Health Innovations, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Engelhard, Yechiel, Maalouf, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US15/656,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20170323553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 34053912, 34053932, 340540, 340541, 700232, 700236, 700241, 700244
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3393 by weighing the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/22 Social work or social welfare, e.g. community support activities or counselling services
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 : Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 : delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring, and devices, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring use of consumable dispensers. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate an individual'"'"'s adherence to a schedule for consuming consumables and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the individual'"'"'s adherence to the schedule. The devices, systems, and methods can allow data regarding the individual'"'"'s historical adherence to the schedule to be accessible via a computer system. In one embodiment, an accessory is provided that can be configured to attach to consumable dispensers. The accessory can be configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating that a certain event occurred and/or that a certain action needs to be taken. The accessory can be configured to sense attachment thereof to and removal thereof from the dispenser.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an external device comprising a processor; and

a plurality of apparatuses each configured to be associated with one of a plurality of medication dispensers comprising a same type of medication;

wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses comprise a processor, a sensor, and a communication circuit;

wherein the sensor of each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to sense a condition indicative of the medication being dispensed from one of the plurality of medication dispensers;

wherein the processor of each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating that the medication was dispensed to the external device via the communication circuit; and

wherein the processor of the external device is configured to;

associate each of the plurality of apparatuses with a respective medication dispenser of the plurality medication dispensers;

compare the data with a dosing schedule of the medication in the plurality of medication dispensers; and

determine that a dose of medication was consumed on schedule based on the data from any one of the plurality of apparatuses and the dosing schedule.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor of each of the plurality of apparatuses is further configured to receive the dosing schedule from the external device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor of each of the plurality of apparatuses comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, a force sensitive resistor, a magnetic sensor, a motion sensor, or a temperature sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein, upon determining that the dose of medication was consumed on schedule, the processor of the external device is further configured to provide a notification via a display or speaker housed within the external device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses further comprise a memory configured to store the data.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to be removably and replaceably attachable to a respective container that is movably coupled to a respective housing of each of the plurality medication dispensers.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein movement of the respective container and the respective apparatus as a unit relative to the respective housing is effective to dispense at least a portion of the medication.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses further comprise:

an attachment sensor configured to sense a condition indicative of one of the plurality of apparatuses being attached to the respective container; and

wherein the processor of each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to cause the communication circuit to wirelessly transmit data indicative of the sensed attachment to the external device.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the sensor of each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to sense a weight or applied pressure, the weight or applied pressure for causing movement of the respective container and the respective apparatus as a unit relative to the respective housing.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication circuit of each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to wirelessly transmit the weight or applied pressure to the external device;

and

wherein the processor of the external device is configured to determine whether the weight or applied pressure is equal to or above a threshold amount, the threshold amount determined based on at least one of a type of the respective container or the type of medication in the respective container.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the data indicating that the medication was dispensed is based on the weight or applied pressure being equal to or above the threshold amount.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor of each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to determine whether the weight or applied pressure is equal to or above a threshold amount of weight or applied pressure, the threshold amount determined based on at least one of a type of the respective container or the type of medication in the respective container;

and

wherein the processor of each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to cause an indicator to provide a notification when the weight or applied pressure is equal to or above the threshold amount.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the communication circuit of each of the plurality of apparatuses is configured to receive the threshold amount from the external device.

14. A method comprising:

associating each of a plurality of apparatuses with one of a plurality of medication dispensers comprising a same type of medication;

sensing a condition, via a respective apparatus of the plurality of apparatuses, indicative of the medication being dispensed from the medication dispenser of the respective apparatus;

wirelessly transmitting data indicative of the sensed condition;

comparing the data with a dosing schedule of the medication in the plurality of medication dispensers;

determining that a dose of medication was consumed on schedule based on the data from the respective apparatus of the plurality of apparatuses and the dosing schedule; and

providing a notification via a display or speaker indicating that the dose of medication was consumed in accordance with the dosing schedule.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

sending the dosing schedule to the plurality of apparatuses.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

sensing an attachment of the respective apparatus to one of the plurality of medication dispensers.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of medication dispensers comprise a container and a housing, and

wherein movement of the container and the respective apparatus as a unit relative to the housing is effective to dispense at least a portion of the medication in the container.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

sensing a weight or applied pressure via the respective apparatus, the weight or applied pressure for causing movement of the container and the respective apparatus as a unit relative to the housing; and

determining whether the weight or applied pressure is above a threshold amount, the threshold amount determined based on at least one of a type of the container or a type of the medication.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the data indicative of the medication being dispensed is based on the weight or applied pressure being above the threshold amount.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

providing a notification via a display or speaker upon determining that the weight or applied pressure is above the threshold amount.