INTERACTIVE RESPIRATORY DEVICE USAGE TRACKING SYSTEM

• US 20150112707A1
• Filed: 10/20/2014
• Published: 04/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AptarGroup Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CoheroHealth, LLC:
• Inventors: MANICE, Melissa P., MANICE, Charles D., WEINSTEIN, Daniel W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,019,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0083 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/40 Respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 : Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 : Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 : relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 : delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

An inhaler use monitoring system includes a tracker module adaptable to be secured to a variety of inhalers and having an activation sensor for sensing use of the inhaler, an internal memory for storing inhaler data, and a communications component for forwarding the stored usage data to a processor for analyzing the data. The system then provides the user with incentives, e.g., redeemable award points, for usage of the inhaler in a desired manner. The tracking module can accommodate both controller and rescue inhalers. Optionally, the system may also collect lung function data, e.g., from a spirometer, and can then process all of controller inhaler data, rescue inhaler data and lung function data, to generate alerts and other messages e.g., redeemable award points

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and facilitating use of a respiratory device by a patient, said system comprising:

a processor receiving respiratory device data corresponding to detected use of at least one respiratory device by the patient; and

a communications component responsive to said processor for presenting to the patient incentives for usage of said respiratory device according to a usage plan.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said respiratory device is an inhaler.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said communications component displays an indication of an amount of doses remaining in the inhaler.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said respiratory device is a spirometer.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said communications component displays lung function over time.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said processor also receives respiratory device data corresponding to detected use of a second respiratory device.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said communications component displays incentives for usage of both of said respiratory devices in a desired manner.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein said one respiratory device is an inhaler and said second respiratory device is a spirometer.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein said one respiratory device is a controller medication inhaler and said second respiratory device is a rescue medication inhaler.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said processor also receives lung function data relating to measured lung function of said patient.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said processor performs predictive analytics on lung function data, controller medication inhaler data and rescue inhaler medication data, to provide said messages.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said processor generates communications regarding said patient to a third party selected from the group consisting of a healthcare professional and a caregiver.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein system permits said patient to designate at least one person to whom the system will send communications, and said processor generates communications to the designated person.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said system permits the patient to designate specific types of communications to be sent to different people.

15. A system according to claim 12, wherein the generated communications include lung function data and medication adherence data sent to an Electronic Medical Records system of a physician.

16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said communications component displays a compliance status level based on a comparison of detected usage to said usage plan.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein said communications component displays respiratory device usage history.

18. A system according to claim 1, wherein said communications component displays an indication of a next scheduled use of said respiratory device.

19. A system according to claim 1, wherein said communications component displays a link for initiating an emergency communication.

20. A system according to claim 1, wherein said communications component displays a link for a prescription refill, wherein selecting said link generates an e-prescription directly to a pharmacy.

21. A system according to claim 1, said system receiving information from said respiratory device wherein said processor receives information from said respiratory device regarding the number of doses remaining, and is responsive to that information to send a prescription refill request to a medication supplier.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein said prescription refill request is sent dependent on patient-controllable settings.

23. A system according to claim 1, wherein said communications component displays a link for redeeming awards earned by measured compliance to said usage plan.

24. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a tracking module securable to said respiratory device, said tracking module including a sensor for detecting use of the respiratory device, internal memory for storing data relating to each detected use, and a communications component for providing the stored data as an output from said tracking module to be provided as said respiratory device data to said processor.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein said tracking module is securable alternately to both a controller medication inhaler and a rescue medication inhaler of a given patient.

26. A system according to claim 23, wherein said tracking module comprises a flexible shell which can be wrapped around the respiratory device.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein said flexible shell is of a stretchable material so that it can conform to and be secured to respiratory devices of different sizes.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein at least said internal memory and communications component are embedded in said material of said flexible shell.

29. A system according to claim 24, comprising a local station providing said display.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein said local station includes said processor.

31. A system according to claim 29, comprising a remote server including said processor and in communication with said local station.

32. A system according to claim 31, wherein said local station receives said respiratory device data from said tracking module and forwards the respiratory device data to a remote server including said processor.

33. A system according to claim 29, wherein said tracking module includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the stored data to said local station.

34. A system according to claim 29, wherein said local station comprises a smartphone.

35. A system according to claim 24, comprising a local station which receives said respiratory device data from said tracking module and forwards the respiratory device data to a remote server including said processor.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein said local station is a wireless beacon plugged into an electrical outlet.

37. A system according to claim 35, wherein at least one of said tracking module, respiratory device and local station issues an alert to the patient if the respiratory device is not used according to the usage plan.

38. A system according to claim 24, wherein said system uses predictive modeling to generate a communication relating to at least one of potential exacerbation, potential complication, potential acute event, effectiveness of current usage plan and potential change to said usage plan.

39. A system according to claim 24, wherein said tracking module responds to activation of said respiratory device by

awakening from a standby mode,

storing respiratory device usage data,

searching for proximity to said local station, and transmitting stored data to said local station when said local station is found;

and

returning to standby mode after transmission of said stored data.

40. A tracking module securable to inhaler respiratory device, said tracking module comprising a shell of flexible material which can be wrapped around respiratory devices of different sizes and including a sensor for detecting use of the respiratory device, internal memory for storing data relating to each detected use, and a communications component for providing the stored data as an output from said tracking module.

41. A system for monitoring respiratory device use by a patient, said system comprising:

a tracking module securable to a respiratory device, for recording data of respiratory device usage by the patient and providing said data as an output, said tracking module being in the form of a flexible shell which can be wrapped around respiratory devices of different sizes, said flexible shell including a sensor for detecting use of said respiratory device, internal memory for storing data relating to each detected use, and a communications component for providing said data as an output from said tracking module; and

a monitoring system receiving and analyzing said data.

42. A system for monitoring inhaler use by a patient, said system comprising:

a tracking module securable to an inhaler, said tracking module having an activation sensor for detecting activation of said inhaler to administer a dose, internal memory for storing data relating to each detected inhaler activation, and a communications component for providing the stored data as an output from said tracking module; and

a monitoring system receiving said inhaler data along with lung function data, analyzing said inhaler and lung function data, and providing messaging to said patient based on results of said analysis.

43. A system according to claim 42, wherein the monitoring system includes a local station receiving said inhaler data from said tracking module and receiving said lung function data from a spirometer device, said local station forwarding the inhaler and lung function data to a remote server for said analysis.

44. A system according to claim 42, wherein said tracking module includes a data input for receiving lung function data, stores said lung function data and inhaler data in said internal memory, and forwards said inhaler data and lung function data to said monitoring system.

45. A system according to claim 42, wherein said monitoring system displays to the patient incentives for usage of said inhaler in a desired manner.

46. A system according to claim 42, wherein said monitoring system displays to the patient incentives for usage of spirometer in a desired manner

47. A system according to claim 42, wherein said monitoring system provides alerts based on said lung function data.

48. A system according to claim 47, wherein said alerts are based on said lung function data and said inhaler data.

49. A system according to claim 48, wherein said alerts are generated by predictive modeling.

50. A system for monitoring and facilitating use of a respiratory device by a patient, said system comprising:

a processor receiving respiratory device data corresponding to detected use of at least one respiratory device by the patient; and

a communication component responsive to said processor for sending communications to said patient at a frequency dependent on at least one of user behavior and user preference.

51. A system according to claim 50, wherein said communications are sent at a frequency dependent on patient behavior.

52. A system according to claim 51, wherein the frequency of said communications is based on both patient behavior and patient preference.

53. A system according to claim 51, wherein the frequency of said communications is decreased in response to increased patient compliance with a desired usage plan.