Electronic compliance system and associated methods

• US 10,521,561 B1
• Filed: 12/17/2014
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Etectrx Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Etectrx Incorporated
• Inventors: Euliano, Neil, Buffkin, Eric, Myers, Brent Arnold, Flores, Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US14/573,315
• Time in Patent Office: 1,840 Days
• Field of Search: 34053912
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/35 by template matching
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4833 Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/007 Marking tablets or the like apparatus for printing on tablets or the like B41F17/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

An electronic drug compliance monitoring system and associated methods utilize a pill having an electronic transmission capability and external means for receiving that transmission to sense the presence of the pill in the patient'"'"'s body or digestive tract.

Claims

1. A medication adherence system, comprising:

a vessel defining a space configured to receive a medication;

a tag coupled to an inner surface of the vessel, the tag being associated with identification data and configured to transmit the identification data wirelessly; and

a power source coupled to the tag and configured to harvest energy when at least one electrode of the power source chemically interacts with a patient'"'"'s stomach acid,

wherein the power source is configured to store the harvested energy and deliver the energy to power transmission of the identification data in response to a trigger.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag includes at least one antenna.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reader in wireless communication with the tag and configured to receive the identification data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification data is encoded for transmission.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel comprises a first component and a second component that fits inside the first component to seal the vessel, the tag being disposed between the first and second components.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag comprises a foldable substrate, such that the tag has a folded configuration inside the vessel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag is flush with the inner surface of the vessel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag includes a coating to prevent contact with the medication.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag is coupled to the inner surface via an adhesive, heat, moisture, or pressure.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger is activated after the vessel reaches the stomach.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the trigger is the chemical interaction of at least one electrode of the power source with the patient'"'"'s stomach acid.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein upon activation of the trigger, energy is harvested, stored, and transmitted, and the transmitted energy is amplified with respect to the instantaneous power harvested.

10. A medication adherence system, comprising:

a vessel configured to transport a chemical formulation, the vessel comprising a first component and a second component that mate together to seal the vessel;

a tag coupled to an inner surface of the first component, the tag being associated with identification data and configured to transmit the identification data wirelessly; and

a power source coupled to the tag and configured to harvest energy when at least one electrode of the power source chemically interacts with a patient'"'"'s stomach acid,

wherein the power source is configured to store the harvested energy and deliver the energy to power transmission of the identification data in response to a trigger.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the power source comprises a pair of electrodes.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the electrodes comprise a pattern deposited on the tag.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the tag is configured to begin transmission of the identification data in response to a trigger.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the trigger is chosen from opening of a switch within the vessel, closing of a switch within the vessel, or detection of a physiological property.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the vessel comprises a sensor configured to detect one or more physiological parameters.

24. The system of claim 10, wherein the trigger is activated after the vessel reaches the stomach.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the trigger is the chemical interaction of at least one electrode of the power source with the patient'"'"'s stomach acid.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein upon activation of the trigger, energy is harvested, stored, and transmitted, and the transmitted energy is amplified with respect to the instantaneous power harvested.

16. A medication adherence system, comprising:

a vessel configured to transport a medication;

a tag coupled to an inner surface of the vessel, the tag being associated with identification data and configured to transmit the identification data wirelessly;

a power source coupled to the tag and configured to harvest energy when at least one electrode of the power source chemically interacts with a patient'"'"'s stomach acid; and

a reader in wireless communication with the tag and configured to receive the identification data,

wherein the power source is configured to store the harvested energy and deliver the energy to power transmission of the identification data in response to a trigger.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the tag is configured to begin transmission of the data in response to opening of a switch within the vessel, closing of a switch within the vessel, or detection of contents of a stomach or gastrointestinal tract.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the vessel comprises a first component and a second component that lock together to seal the vessel.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the tag is configured to obtain physiological data and transmit the obtained data to the reader.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the power source comprises a pair of electrodes comprising printed ink.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the trigger is activated after the vessel reaches the stomach.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the trigger is the chemical interaction of at least one electrode of the power source with the patient'"'"'s stomach acid.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein upon activation of the trigger, energy is harvested, stored, and transmitted, and the transmitted energy is amplified with respect to the instantaneous power harvested.