MONITORING OR FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20110181410A1
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yourbio Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Seventh Sense Biosystems, Inc.
• Inventors: Levinson, Douglas A., Chickering, Donald E. III, Bernstein, Howard
• Granted Patent: US 9,041,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for monitoring and/or providing feedback for drugs or other pharmaceuticals taken by a subject. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for determining a species within the skin of a subject; and producing feedback to a subject based on the determination of the species. The feedback may be, for example, visual, audible, tactile, a change in temperature, etc. In some cases, information regarding the determination of the species may be transmitted to another entity, e.g., a health care provider, a computer, a relative, etc., which may then provide feedback to the subject in some fashion. In some cases, the feedback may be directly indicative of the species, e.g., whether the species is present, the concentration of the species, whether a by-product of a reaction involving the species is present, whether a compound affected by the species is present, etc. However, the feedback may also be indirect in some embodiments. For example, the subject may be presented with an external reward, e.g., based on the determination of the species within the skin. For instance, a reward such as cash, coupons, songs, discounts, personal items, etc., may be offered based on the level of compliance of the subject. Still other aspects of the invention are generally directed to kits involving such devices (with or without the drug to be monitored), methods of promoting such systems, or the like.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a sensor configured, adapted or designed to determine a species withdrawn from a subject; and

a device indicator, responsive to the sensor and configured to indicate an external response based on the determination of the species.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device indicator comprises a display screen.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device indicator is configured to produce a coupon.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device indicator comprises a light.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the external response comprises a coupon.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the external response comprises a monetary response.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the external response comprises a visual display.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the external response comprises music.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the external response comprises a movie.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the external response comprises an advertisement.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the external response comprises a link to a web page.

3. (canceled)

13-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method, comprising:

withdrawing a species from a subject using a device fastened to the subject;

determining information comprising an amount and/or a concentration of the species using at least the device; and

transmitting the information to a computing device, wherein the computing device is configured to provide, via an output device, non-number feedback to the subject based on the transmitted information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the output device provides visual feedback.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the output device provides auditory feedback.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the output device provides music.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the species is contained in blood withdrawn from the subject.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the device is configured to withdraw the species from the subject using a microneedle.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the device is configured to apply a vacuum to the skin.

31. The method of claim 17, further comprising an activator for activating the device to withdraw the species from the subject.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is transmitted wirelessly.

21. (canceled)

23-25. -25. (canceled)

27-28. -28. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

33-35. -35. (canceled)

36. A method, comprising:

receiving information obtained from a subject representing a property of a species withdrawn from the subject; and

presenting an external response to a user based on the received data.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the user that the external response is presented to is a caregiver for the subject.

37. (canceled)

39-42. -42. (canceled)

43. A method, comprising:

determining information representing a property of a species withdrawn from a subject using a device immobilized to the skin of the subject; and

transmitting the information to a machine configured to cause an external response to be presented to a user of the machine.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein the device is adhered to the skin of the subject.

44-46. -46. (canceled)

48. A method, comprising:

administering a drug to a subject, wherein the drug administered to the subject can not be distinguished, by the subject, from a placebo without any external equipment;

determining a species withdrawn from a subject that is indicative of the drug administered to the subject; and

providing feedback to the subject regarding the species.

55. The method of claim 48, wherein the species is the drug.

58. The method of claim 48, wherein the species withdrawn from a subject is indicative of the effect of the drug administered to the subject.

59. The method of claim 48, wherein the species withdrawn from a subject is indicative of the amount of the drug administered to the subject.

49-54. -54. (canceled)

56-57. -57. (canceled)

60. A method, comprising:

administering a drug to a subject having a condition suspected of being treatable by the drug, wherein the drug does not cause a measurable change to the condition of the subject within the first 24 hours after administering the drug;

determining a species withdrawn from a subject that is indicative of the drug administered to the subject; and

providing feedback to the subject and/or another person regarding the species.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein the drug does not cause a measurable change to the condition of the subject within the first week after administering the drug.

64. The method of claim 60, wherein the drug does not cause a measurable change to the condition of the subject within the first four weeks after administering the drug.

61-62. -62. (canceled)

65. A device, comprising:

means for sensing a species withdrawn from a subject; and

means for indicating an external reward based on the sensing of the species.

66. A device, comprising:

means for withdrawing a species from a subject using a device fastened to the subject;

means for determining information comprising an amount and/or a concentration of the species using at least the device; and

means for transmitting the information to a computing device, wherein the computing device is configured to provide, via an output device, non-number feedback to the subject based on the transmitted information.

67. A device, comprising:

means for determining information representing a property of a species withdrawn from a subject using a device immobilized to the skin of the subject; and

means for transmitting the information to a machine configured to cause an external response to be presented to a user of the machine.