Transdermal Portable Alcohol Monitor and Methods for Using Such

• US 20080216561A1
• Filed: 03/04/2008
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B.I. Incorporated (Geo Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: B.I. Incorporated (Geo Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rompa, Victor, Cooper, Larry T., Melton, Donald A., Waters, Timothy D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,930,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/53.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention provide alcohol monitoring devices, and methods for using such. As one example, an alcohol monitoring device is disclosed that includes a device body, an alcohol sensor, and a liquid cartridge. The alcohol sensor is associated with the device body, and relies on a liquid supply to perform an alcohol measurement on a subject. The liquid cartridge is replaceably coupled to the device body and provides the liquid supply to the alcohol sensor.

Claims

1. A portable alcohol monitoring device, the device comprising:

a device body;

an alcohol sensor, wherein the alcohol sensor is associated with the device body, and wherein the alcohol sensor relies on a liquid supply to perform an alcohol measurement on a subject; and

a liquid cartridge;

wherein the liquid cartridge is replaceably coupled to the device body and provides the liquid supply to the alcohol sensor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes:

a securing device, wherein the securing device is operable to secure the device body to the subject.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the alcohol sensor is incorporated in the device body, and wherein a force element presses the alcohol sensor toward the subject.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the force element is a spring.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the alcohol sensor is coupled to the device body via a bellows.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid cartridge is filled with water.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the water is distilled, de-ionized water.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid cartridge is selected from a group consisting of:

a cylindrical cartridge, and a cubical cartridge.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid cartridge is coupled to the body device using tamper resistant hardware.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the tamper resistant hardware is damaged upon replacement of the liquid cartridge.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the tamper resistant hardware is selected from a group consisting of:

a tamper resistant cap, and a tamper resistant screw.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes:

a proximity detector, wherein the proximity detector is operable to detect whether the device body is within a desired proximity of the subject.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes at least one tamper sensor, and wherein the at least one tamper sensor is operable to detect unauthorized tampering with the device.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device body comprises an electronics body and a sensor body, wherein the sensor body encases the alcohol sensor, wherein the sensor body is coupled to the electronics body using a torsion hinge, and wherein the torsion hinge operates to press the alcohol sensor toward the subject.

15. A portable alcohol monitoring device, the device comprising:

a device body;

an alcohol sensor, wherein the alcohol sensor is associated with the device body;

a securing device, wherein the securing device is operable to secure the device body to the subject; and

a force element, wherein the force element is operable to press the alcohol sensor toward the subject.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the alcohol sensor relies on a liquid supply to perform an alcohol measurement on a subject, and wherein the device further includes:

a liquid cartridge;

wherein the liquid cartridge is replaceably coupled to the device body and provides the liquid supply to the alcohol sensor.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the alcohol sensor is incorporated in the device body, and wherein the force element is a spring.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the liquid cartridge is coupled to the body device using tamper resistant hardware.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the device body comprises an electronics body and a sensor body, wherein the sensor body encases the alcohol sensor, wherein the sensor body is coupled to the electronics body using a torsion hinge, and wherein the torsion hinge operates to press the alcohol sensor toward the subject.

20. A method for maintaining alcohol monitoring equipment, the method comprising:

providing a portable alcohol monitoring device, the device comprising;

a device body;

an alcohol sensor, wherein the alcohol sensor is associated with the device body, and wherein the alcohol sensor relies on a liquid supply to perform an alcohol measurement on a subject; and

a liquid cartridge;

wherein the liquid cartridge is replaceably coupled to the device body and provides the liquid supply to the alcohol sensor;

removing a tamper resistant hardware element, wherein the tamper resistant hardware element is damaged;

removing the liquid cartridge;

replacing the liquid cartridge; and

replacing the tamper resistant hardware.

21. A human monitoring system, wherein the system comprises:

a multi-use monitoring device, wherein the multi-use monitoring device includes;

a location monitor operable to identify a location of a human wearing the multi-use monitoring device;

an alcohol sensor, wherein the alcohol sensor detects an alcohol usage of the human wearing the multi-use monitoring device; and

a transmitter operable to communicate the alcohol usage and the location.