Monitoring apparatus

• US 20090211642A1
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flotime LLC
• Original Assignee: Flotime LLC
• Inventors: Lynn, John Morris
• Granted Patent: US 7,963,692 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0472 of the count-down type, i.e. counting down a predetermined interval after each reset
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus is disclosed for monitoring time by a color change indicator, comprising an observable fluid, a first reservoir holding at least a portion of the observable fluid, and a second reservoir abutting the first reservoir. The first reservoir is responsive to pressure on it such that a portion of the observable fluid flows into the second reservoir. The second reservoir is responsive to a lack of pressure in the first reservoir such that a portion of the observable fluid in the second reservoir reverses flow back into the first reservoir once the first reservoir is not under pressure.

Claims

1. A monitoring apparatus for monitoring time by a color change indicator, comprising:

an observable fluid;

a first reservoir holding at least a portion of the observable fluid; and

a second reservoir abutting the first reservoir;

wherein the first reservoir is responsive to pressure on it such that a portion of the observable fluid flows into the second reservoir;

wherein the second reservoir is responsive to a lack of pressure in the first reservoir such that a portion of the observable fluid in the second reservoir reverses flow back into the first reservoir once the first reservoir is not under pressure.

2. The monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein reversing the flow of the observable fluid from the second reservoir to the first reservoir occurs over a predetermined range of time.

3. The monitoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first reservoir is defined by a rigid base and a compressible cover which when pressure is applied to said compressible cover, said pressure pushes at least a portion of the fluid from the first reservoir into the second reservoir.

4. The monitoring apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second reservoir is defined by the rigid base and the compressible cover of the first reservoir.

5. The monitoring apparatus of claim 4, wherein the compressible cover is a membrane having a memory configured to return to its original shape over a predetermined range of time after having pressure applied to the membrane.

6. The monitoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first reservoir contains an absorbent material holding at least a portion of the observable fluid.

7. The monitoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the monitoring apparatus is connected to a pharmaceutical container, and the predetermined range of time is based upon a pharmaceutical attribute.

8. The monitoring apparatus of claim 7, wherein the monitoring apparatus is activated by the pressure exerted to bypass a child-protective lock.

9. The monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein flow of the fluid between the first reservoir and the second reservoir is controlled by an interface, comprising:

a one-way valve allowing the fluid to flow out of the first reservoir into the second reservoir when under pressure in the first reservoir, wherein the one-way valve is configured to prevent reentry of fluid into the first reservoir from the second reservoir;

an elastomeric material in the second reservoir; and

a second valve configured to allow the fluid in the second reservoir to return to the first reservoir.

10. A method for monitoring time by a monitoring apparatus having a color change indicator, comprising:

containing observable fluid in a first reservoir, said first reservoir abutting a second reservoir;

applying pressure to the fluid in the first reservoir;

forcing at least a portion of the observable fluid from the first reservoir into the second reservoir; and

observing a color change in at least one of the reservoirs.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein reversing the flow of the observable fluid from the second reservoir to the first reservoir occurs over a predetermined range of time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first reservoir is defined by a rigid base and a compressible cover which when pressure is applied to said compressible cover, said pressure pushes at least a portion of the fluid into the second reservoir;

and the second reservoir is defined by the rigid base and the compressible cover of the first reservoir.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the compressible cover is a membrane having a memory configured to return to its original shape over a predetermined range of time after having pressure applied to the membrane.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first reservoir contains an absorbent material holding at least a portion of the observable fluid.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the monitoring apparatus is connected to a pharmaceutical container, and the predetermined range of time is based upon a pharmaceutical attribute.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein flow of the fluid between the first reservoir and the second reservoir is controlled by an interface, comprising:

a one-way valve allowing the fluid to flow out of the first reservoir into the second reservoir when under pressure in the first reservoir, wherein the one-way valve is configured to prevent reentry of fluid into the first reservoir from the second reservoir;

an elastomeric material in the second reservoir; and

a second valve configured to allow the fluid in the second reservoir to return to the first reservoir.

17. A monitoring apparatus for monitoring time of last use of a pharmaceutical container, comprising:

a battery connected to a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board having a controller;

a first light indicating the pharmaceutical container has been used within a predetermined range of time based upon a pharmaceutical attribute;

a second light indicating the pharmaceutical container has not been used within the predetermined range of time based upon the pharmaceutical attribute; and

a switch configured to activate upon detection of use of the pharmaceutical container;

wherein the switch communicates with the controller;

wherein the controller is configured to illuminate the first light for a period of time;

wherein the controller is configured to turn off the first light after the period of time and illuminate the second light.

18. The monitoring apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first light is red and the second light is green.

19. The monitoring apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is programmed by a user to change the period of time the first light is illuminated.

20. The monitoring apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first light continues to be illuminated beyond the period of time after a maximum number of switch activations has occurred during a twenty-four hour period.