MEDICAL APPARATUS FOR DATA STORAGE

• US 20140219064A1
• Filed: 01/31/2014
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chuck J. Filipi, Joseph C. Filipi, Wayne W. Hohman
• Original Assignee: Chuck J. Filipi, Joseph C. Filipi, Wayne W. Hohman
• Inventors: Filipi, Joseph C., Filipi, Chuck J., Hohman, Wayne W.
• Application Number:
  US14/170,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20140219064A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0064 in which functions not related to time can be displayed digital output to display devices of digital computers G06F3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An electronic apparatus and method for storing patient data, information, or records and/or notifying a patient of a medical activity to be performed. The electronic apparatus may be wearable, such as a watch or other jewelry, or may be non-wearable, such as a household appliance or other equipment. The electronic apparatus may include a screen, a processor, a memory, and an input/output component, such as a USB plug or socket, for allowing outside devices to connect with the electronic apparatus and access the memory and/or the processor. The electronic apparatus may communicate with remote devices to transmit patient data or compliance information. Gaming functionality, such as one assigning points to a patient based upon compliance, may be used to encourage greater compliance and/or foster competition between patients. Prizes may be selected or awarded to a patient based upon the assigned points.

Claims

1. An watch for a patient comprising:

a band configured to be worn around a wrist of the patient;

a processor coupled with the band; and

a screen coupled with the band and the processor,

wherein the screen is configured to display a message relating to a medical activity to be performed by the patient.

2. The watch of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the band or screen is configured to illuminate if the message is displayed.

3. The watch of claim 1 further comprising a memory coupled with the processor, the memory configured to store medical information about the patient.

4. The watch of claim 1 further comprising a speaker coupled with the processor, the speaker configured to sound an alarm relating to the medication to be taken by the patient.

5. The watch of claim 4 wherein the medication to be taken by the patient is a blood sugar check reminder.

6. The watch of claim 1 further comprising a USB port coupled with the band, the USB port configured to allow access to the medical information about the patient stored on the memory.

7. The watch of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to communicate with a second device via Bluetooth technology.

8. The watch of claim 7 wherein the second device is chosen from the group consisting of a watch, a pillbox, a transmitter located in the patient'"'"'s home, a remote call center, and a transmitter located in a physician'"'"'s office.

9. A medication notification system comprising:

a watch having;

a wristband,

a speaker,

a display, and

a processor connected with the display, the processor configured to cause the speaker to alarm based on a schedule for consumption of a medication; and

a pillbox having a processor, the processor of the pillbox configured to interface with the processor of the watch,

wherein the speaker ceases to alarm based on at least a portion of the pillbox being emptied.

10. The medication notification system of claim 9 further comprising a remote device configured to communicate with the processor of the watch, the remote device configured to program the processor.

11. The medication notification system of claim 9 wherein the predetermined time is programmable by a user of the medication notification system.

12. The medication notification system of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the wristband of the watch is configured to illuminate red if the speaker is caused to alarm until the at least a portion of the pillbox is emptied.

13. The medication notification system of claim 12 wherein the at least a portion of the wristband of the watch is configured to illuminate green if the at least a portion of the pillbox is emptied.

14. The medication notification system of claim 13 wherein the speaker emits a success sound if the at least a portion of the pillbox is emptied.

15. A method for encouraging compliance of a patient for a medical activity comprising:

providing a watch to the patient;

programming the watch to notify the patient about the medical activity;

notifying the patient about the medical activity via the watch;

determining whether the patient complied with the notifying of the patient about the medical activity; and

transmitting information corresponding to whether the patient complied with the notifying of the patient about the medical activity.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of transmitting information includes transmitting the information to the physician of the patient.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the watch includes an radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising updating the programming of the watch.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of updating the programming of the watch includes connecting an external device to the watch via a USB connection.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of updating the programming of the watch includes wirelessly connecting an external device to the watch via BlueTooth technology.