MEDICATION USAGE MONITORING AND REMINDING DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20100283601A1
• Filed: 07/27/2009
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tai and Tseng Investments LLC
• Original Assignee: Tai and Tseng Investments LLC
• Inventors: Chang, Chyh-Yih, Myslinski, Lucas J., Tseng, Shih-Ming, Tseng, Shih-Hsiang, Tai, Chih-Cheng
• Granted Patent: US 8,884,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0409 with timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets

Abstract

The medication usage monitoring and reminding device and method enables a user to easily monitor usage of medications by weighing the medications using a weighing component, a processing component and an I/O component. Additionally, the device is able to remind a user regarding the medications if the medication has not been timely taken. The device is also able to obtain information regarding medications such as possible conflicts, updates and other information. The device is able to be used for food/drink information or dietary information.

Claims

1. ) A device for monitoring medication usage, comprising:

a) a medication removal recognition component configured for recognizing removal of a medication and generating medication removal recognition data;

b) an input/output (I/O) component coupled to the medication removal recognition component, the I/O component configured for communicating I/O data;

c) a data processing component configured for processing the medication removal recognition data and the I/O data including determining a weight change data; and

d) a medication reminding component coupled to the data processing component, the reminding component configured for reminding a user to take the medication.

2. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the medication removal recognition component is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical weighing device, an electronic weighing device, a two-sides balance and a piezoelectric load cell.

3. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the data processing component is configured for computing the weight change data by subtracting a non-initial weight from an initial weight to obtain a result and dividing the result by an individual medication weight.

4. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the data processing component is configured for computing the weight change data by subtracting a current weight from an immediately preceding weight.

5. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the data processing component is configured for recording at least one of a weight date, the weight change data and a time of weight change data.

6. ) The device of claim 5 wherein the data processing component is configured for converting at least one of the weight date, the weight change data and the time of weight change data into medication usage information.

7. ) The device of claim 6 wherein the medication usage information comprises at least one of a time of a medication taken, a dosage of a medication taken and a type of a medication taken.

8. ) The device of claim 7 wherein the I/O component comprises a display device configured for displaying the medication usage information.

9. ) The device of claim 6 wherein the I/O component is coupled to a second device for communicating at least one of a weight information, a stock information, a medication information and the medication usage information.

10. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the I/O component is coupled to a medication supply system, wherein the medication supply system is configured for receiving a notification of a quantity of the medication taken.

11. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the I/O component is coupled to an information system of a medical service provider, wherein the medical service provider is configured for performing at least one of monitoring, commenting, recording and replying regarding medication information received through a network.

12. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the I/O component is synchronized with a personal information system, wherein the personal information system provides an alert if a medication is not taken within a pre-designated time.

13. ) The device of claim 12 wherein the personal information system is selected from the group consisting of a mobile device, a pager, a cell phone, a blackberry, a laptop and a personal digital assistant.

14. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the I/O component is coupled to an information system including a medical database, wherein the medical database is configured for comparing a medication information and generating an alert if there is an incompatible medication.

15. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the I/O component is coupled to a physical condition monitoring device configured for monitoring a physical condition before, after, or while a medication is taken.

16. ) The device of claim 15 wherein the physical condition monitoring device is configured for monitoring at least one of a heart rate, a medication concentration in blood stream, a chemical fluid concentration and a physical fluid concentration in a body.

17. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the medication reminding component reminds a user at a computed reminder time based on a time of previous medication consumption, a medication dosage and a weight of the user.

18. ) The device of claim 1 wherein the I/O component is able to be selected from the group consisting of a screen/display, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a touchpad, a light emitting diode, a speaker, a radio, a television, a computer, a dial, a lever, a knob, a button, a voice-recognition implementation, a wireless implementation, a wi-fi implementation, a network coupling, a bar code reader/scanner, an RFID reader/scanner, an image recognition component, a blood pressure monitor, an insulin monitor, a thermometer, and any combination thereof.

19. ) A system for monitoring medication usage implemented on a device, comprising:

a) a medication removal recognition module configured for recognizing removal of a medication and generating medication removal recognition data;

b) a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader module operatively coupled to the medication removal recognition module, the RFID reader component configured for receiving RFID data;

c) a data processing module configured for processing medication removal recognition data and the RFID data including determining a weight difference between a stored weight and a current weight and storing the weight difference;

d) a network module configured for communicating network information between the data processing component and an external device;

e) a reminding module coupled to the data processing module, the reminding module configured for reminding a user to take the medication based on a schedule; and

f) a display coupled to the data processing module, the display configured for displaying medication information.

20. ) A method of monitoring medication usage comprising:

a) receiving medication information at an Input/Output (I/O) component;

b) weighing a medication with a device and including computing a weight difference between a first weighing and a second weighing;

c) scheduling a schedule on the device;

d) reminding a user to take a medication based on the schedule; and

e) communicating with an external device over a network, wherein medication information is communicated.