Drug adherence monitoring system
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring subject drug adherence for at least one prescribed drug regimen comprising:
- a) a means for obtaining a sample of a subject'"'"'s breath at prescribed intervals;
b) a sensor for detecting at least one marker in the breath sample indicative of a subject taking the drug wherein the sensor generates an output signal indicative of the presence or absence of the marker in the breath sample;
c) a processing means for receiving the output signal and assessing the concentration of marker present in the breath sample for use in ascertaining subject drug adherence with the drug regimen(s) as prescribed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides novel methods for monitoring subject adherence in taking prescribed drugs by detecting markers in exhaled breath after a subject takes the prescribed drug. In particular, the present invention provides novel methods for making additives that are combined with the drug(s). Upon biological breakdown of the drug/additive formulation in a subject'"'"'s body, markers resulting directly from the biological breakdown of the additives are detected in exhaled breath using sensor technology. In certain embodiments of the invention, the drug adherence monitoring systems and methods include a reporting system capable of tracking subject compliance (either remotely or proximately) and of providing necessary alerts to the subject, caregiver, healthcare provider, and the like.
77 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A system for monitoring subject drug adherence for at least one prescribed drug regimen comprising:
-
a) a means for obtaining a sample of a subject'"'"'s breath at prescribed intervals; b) a sensor for detecting at least one marker in the breath sample indicative of a subject taking the drug wherein the sensor generates an output signal indicative of the presence or absence of the marker in the breath sample; c) a processing means for receiving the output signal and assessing the concentration of marker present in the breath sample for use in ascertaining subject drug adherence with the drug regimen(s) as prescribed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for monitoring subject drug adherence with at least one prescribed drug regimen comprising:
-
a) a means for obtaining a sample of a subject'"'"'s breath at prescribed intervals; b) analyzing the sample with sensor technology to identify the presence of at least one drug marker in the sample; and c) determining the presence of at least one drug marker at a level above a predetermined threshold, which indicates subject adherence to the prescribed drug regimen. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A kit for monitoring subject adherence with at least one prescribed drug regimen comprising:
-
a) a means for dispensing a prescribed drug; b) a housing; c) a sensor disposed within the housing, said sensor having the ability to detect the presence of at least one drug marker in breath; and d) a reporting module disposed with or within the housing, wherein said reporting module is operatively connected to the sensor such that detection of the presence of the drug marker in the sample is communicated at prescribed intervals. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification