Piezo-electric content use monitoring system

• US 20050223826A1
• Filed: 04/23/2003
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Devices SEZC Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Devices Inc. (Heico Corporation)
• Inventors: Petersen, Michael, Wilson, Allan
• Granted Patent: US 7,178,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/865.900
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• 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: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/32 one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents

Abstract

A content use monitoring system is provided for monitoring use of blister packaged contents. The monitoring device comprises an integrated circuit (14), battery (16) and piezo-electric foil (18) or other transducer that can be attached to a existing blister package, in physical contact with their backing, via adhesive. When a content is expelled from a blister through the backing, the piezo-electric foil (18) or other transducer is deformed, generating an electrical signal. The integrated circuit (14) monitors the piezo-electric foil circuit for such signals, analyses them, and if they meet the programmed specifications, the time and other characteristics of the event are recorded in the integrated circuit'"'"'s memory. The content use data can later be downloaded for analysis. education or clinical purposes via either a remote or contact reader.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring use of blister packaged contents, said device comprising:

an integrated circuit having an internal clock and analog-to digital conversion capabilities;

memory means associated with said integrated circuit;

battery means connected to said integrated circuit;

antenna means connected to said integrated circuit; and

piezoelectric transducer means connected to said integrated circuit;

said device being adapted for attachment to a blister package such that displacement of said piezoelectric transducer means when contents are expelled from said blister package creates a signal indicative of content use data which is analysed by said integrated circuit and stored in said memory means.

3. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit has an output port for outputting the content use data to an external reader.

4. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a transmitter for receiving the content use data from the integrated circuit, and for transmitting the content use data to an external reader.

5. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter capable of carrying out wireless communication with the external reader.

6. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit has a procedure data memory for storing a predetermined procedure data regarding how to use packaged contents.

7. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 6, for use with a blister package having multiple receptacles, and the predetermined procedure data includes the time, order and/or amount of opening of the receptacles.

8. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the integrated circuit includes a warning generator for generating a warning signal based on the content use data and the predetermined procedure data.

9. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a warning device for providing a warning in response to the warning signal.

10. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the warning device is provided on the package.

11. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the warning device is provided in an external device, and the monitoring device further comprises a transmitter for transmitting the warning data to the external device.

12. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 6 further comprising:

a transmitter for sending the content use data to an external device and for receiving a warning signal from the external device; and

a warning device, provided on the monitoring device, for providing a warning in response to the warning signal.

13. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the procedure data memory is a programmable memory for allowing a monitor to program the predetermined procedure data.

2. The content use monitoring device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the integrated circuit is programmed to monitor the piezoelectric transducer means for such signals to detect the time of the signal;

and the content use data includes the time of the change.

14. A content use monitoring system for monitoring use of contents in a package having at least one sealable receptacle for accommodating contents, the monitoring system comprising:

piezoelectric transducer means capable of creating an electrical signal when a receptacle is opened after being sealed; and

an integrated circuit, embedded in the package, for monitoring the piezoelectric transducer means for electrical signals, and for generating content use data when such signals are detected.

15. The content use monitoring system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the integrated circuit has a use data memory for storing the content use data.

16. The content use monitoring system as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a transmitter for receiving the content use data from the integrated circuit, and for transmitting the content use data to an external reader.

17. The content use monitoring system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter capable of carrying out wireless communication with the external reader.

18. The content use monitoring system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the integrated circuit has a procedure data memory for storing predetermined procedure data regarding how to use packaged contents.

19. The content use monitoring system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the integrated circuit has a warning device for presenting a warning based on the content use data and the predetermined procedure data.