System to monitor the ingestion of medicines

• US 20070008112A1
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Inventors: Covannon, Edward, Blish, Nelson, Rankin-Parobek, Donna, Rinas, Eugene, Squilla, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,616,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.120
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• 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 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/02 characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10376 the interrogation device being adapted for being moveable
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00

Abstract

A system for monitoring ingestion of medicine (21) comprises forming a digestible radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (10). The RFID tag is attached to the medicine. The RFID tag and medicine are ingested. A signal from the RFID tag is monitored.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring ingestion of medicine comprising:

forming a digestible radio frequency identification (RFID) tag;

attaching said RFID tag to said medicine;

ingesting said RFID tag and said medicine; and

monitoring a signal from said RFID tag.

2. A system as in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

forming a second digestible radio frequency identification (RFID) tag; and

attaching said second RFID tag to said medicine prior to ingesting said medicine.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said RFID tag is coated on said medicine.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said RFID tag is embedded in said medicine.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein a monitor is in close proximity to a user ingesting said RFID tag.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein a first monitored event is said RFID tag passing a first position point in a body.

7. A system as in claim 6 wherein a second monitored event is said RFID tag passing a second position in said body.

8. A system as in claim 1 wherein a monitored event is destruction of at least one antenna of said RFID tag.

9. A system as in claim 2 wherein a monitored event is destruction of at least one of said RFID tags.

10. A monitor for detection of consumption of medication comprising:

a transmitter for sending a signal to a digestible RFID tag;

a receiver for detecting a return signal from said digestible RFID tag; and

wherein an action is performed as a result of receiving said return signal.

11. A monitor as in claim 10 wherein said action comprises generating an alarm.

12. A monitor as in claim 10 wherein said action comprises activating a display.

13. A monitor as in claim 12 wherein said display comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD).

14. A monitor as in claim 10 wherein said action comprises recording an event.

15. A monitor as in claim 14 wherein said action further comprises transmission of information related to said event.

16. A monitor as in claim 10 wherein said action comprises additional processing of said RFID signal.

17. A monitor as in claim 10 wherein said action comprises an external event selected from a group comprising unlocking a door, locking a medicine cabinet, ordering a prescription refill, or notifying a caregiver.

18. A system for monitoring absorption of medicine comprising:

forming an insertable medical dispenser;

attaching a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to said medical dispenser;

inserting said RFID tag and said medical dispenser into a body; and

monitoring a signal from said RFID tag.

19. A system for monitoring wear on an internal body part comprising:

attaching a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to said internal body part; and

monitoring a signal from said RFID tag.

20. A system for monitoring a level of a substance in body of an individual comprising:

forming a biocompatible radio frequency identification (RFID) tag capable of measuring a level of at least one chemical compound in vivo;

inserting said RFID tag in said individual; and

monitoring a signal from said RFID tag.

21. A system as in claim 20 wherein said RFID tag is absorbed by the body over a period of time.

22. A system as in claim 20 wherein said RFID tag is encapsulated in a porous biocompatible shell.

23. A system for monitoring presence of a substance in bodily fluid comprising:

forming a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag capable of measuring a level of at least one chemical compound;

depositing said RFID tag in a sample of said bodily fluid to be tested; and

monitoring a signal from said RFID tag to detect presence of said substance.

24. A system for delivering medicine to a tumor comprising:

forming a biodegradable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag;

encapsulating said RFID tag in said medicine;

inserting said encapsulated RFID tag near or into said tumor; and

monitoring a signal from said RFID tag to detect depletion of said medicine.

25. A system as in claim 24 wherein said in encapsulated tag is inserted by means of a needle.

26. A system for monitoring presence of a substance in an individual'"'"'s body comprising:

forming a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag capable of measuring a level of at least one chemical compound;

incorporating said RFID tag in a skin patch;

applying said skin patch to said individual; and

monitoring a signal from said RFID tag to detect presence of said substance.

27. A system as in claim 26 wherein said RFID tag detects the presence of a controlled substance.

28. A system for monitoring absorption of medicine comprising:

forming a fragile, remotely detectable tag;

attaching said tag to said medicine;

ingesting or inserting said tag and said medicine into a body; and

monitoring a signal from said tag.

29. A system as in claim 28 wherein said signal from said tag is generated in response to an external signal.

30. A system as in claim 29 wherein said external signal is a magnetic field, electromagnetic radiation, or acoustic stimulation.

31. A system as in claim 28 wherein power for said tag is generated by resonance of an antenna of said tag to an external, magnetic field, acoustic stimulation, mechanical motion, chemical reaction, or self-contained power source.

32. A system as in claim 28 wherein said signal from said tag changes in response to presence of a chemical, absence of a chemical, change in temperature of said tag, pressure of tag environment, presence of a pathogen, or partial adsorption of said tag.

33. A system as in claim 28 wherein said fragile tag decomposes from exposure to bodily fluids, external radiation, changes in temperature, changes in pressure, or chemical reactions.

34. A system as in claim 28 wherein said signal from said tag is monitored from at least one spatial locations external said body to determine a location of said tag in said body.

35. A system as in claim 28 wherein said tag is comprised of at least two antennas.

36. A system as in claim 35 wherein said two antennas are separated by blocking layers.

37. A system as in claim 28 wherein tag identifies a specific user.

38. A system for monitoring presence of substances comprising:

forming a fragile, remotely detectable tag;

depositing said tag into a bodily fluid or excretion; and

monitoring a signal from said tag.