Methods and Systems for Monitoring a Plurality of Medication-Containing Cells of a Medication Container

• US 20160008228A1
• Filed: 07/01/2015
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Inventors: Forster, Ian James
• Application Number:
  US14/789,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20160008228A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring medication compliance to allow a doctor or medical care provider to determine whether a subject is ingesting a prescribed medication at the proper times. This can include the capability of remote access to remotely monitor compliance. A medication container includes a plurality of medication-containing cells, with frangible covers overlaying each cell. An electrical circuit includes a sequential value element associated with each cell, with the sequential value elements being connected in parallel and having a unique value. When the cover of a cell is broken, the associated sequential value element is uncoupled from the electrical circuit. A measurement device calculates the combined value of the sequential value elements coupled to the electrical circuit to determine which of the cells have been accessed via breakage of the associated cover.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring usage of a medication container having a plurality of medication-containing cells, comprising:

an electrical circuit including

a plurality of sequential value elements electrically coupled in parallel between ground and a single port, with each sequential value element being configured for association with a different one of said plurality of medication-containing cells and having a unique value;

a plurality of frangible sections, with each frangible section being configured for association with a different one of said plurality of medication-containing cells and a different one of said plurality of sequential value elements, wherein each frangible section is configured to be broken to access medication within the associated cell and to electrically uncouple the associated sequential value element from the electrical circuit; and

a measurement device associated with the port and programmed to calculate the combined value of the sequential value elements electrically coupled to the electrical circuit and, based on the combined value, determine which of the cells have been accessed via breakage of the associated frangible section.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises a capacitor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises a resistor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises an inductor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises a combination of electrical components.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises a semiconductor.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second electrical circuit including

a plurality of sequential value elements electrically coupled in parallel between ground and said single port, with each sequential value element of the second electrical circuit being configured for association with a different one of said plurality of medication-containing cells and having a unique value, and

a plurality of frangible sections, with each frangible section of the second electrical circuit being configured for association with a different one of said plurality of medication-containing cells and a different one of said plurality of sequential value elements of the second electrical circuit, wherein each frangible section of the second circuit is configured to be broken to access medication within the associated cell and to electrically uncouple the associated sequential value element from the second electrical circuit,

the electrical circuits are electrically coupled in parallel, and

at least one of the electrical circuits includes a transistor positioned intermediate the sequential value elements of said at least one of the electrical circuits and ground.

8. A system for monitoring medication usage, comprising:

a medication container having a plurality of medication-containing cells;

an electrical circuit including

a plurality of sequential value elements electrically coupled in parallel between ground and a single port, with each sequential value element being associated with a different one of said plurality of medication-containing cells and having a unique value;

a plurality of frangible sections, with each frangible section being associated with a different one of said plurality of medication-containing cells and a different one of said plurality of sequential value elements, wherein each frangible section is configured to be broken to access medication within the associated cell and to electrically uncouple the associated sequential value element from the electrical circuit; and

a measurement device associated with the port and programmed to calculate the combined value of the sequential value elements electrically coupled to the electrical circuit and, based on the combined value, determine which of the cells have been accessed via breakage of the associated frangible section.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises a capacitor.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises a resistor.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises an inductor.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises a combination of electrical components.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said sequential value elements comprises a semiconductor.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a second electrical circuit including

a plurality of sequential value elements electrically coupled in parallel between ground and said single port, with each sequential value element of the second electrical circuit being configured for association with a different one of said plurality of medication-containing cells and having a unique value, and

a plurality of frangible sections, with each frangible section of the second electrical circuit being configured for association with a different one of said plurality of medication-containing cells and a different one of said plurality of sequential value elements of the second electrical circuit, wherein each frangible section of the second circuit is configured to be broken to access medication within the associated cell and to electrically uncouple the associated sequential value element from the second electrical circuit, the electrical circuits are electrically coupled in parallel, and

at least one of the electrical circuits includes a transistor positioned intermediate the sequential value elements of said at least one of the electrical circuits and ground.

15. A method of monitoring medication usage, comprising:

associating an electrical circuit and a medication container having a plurality of medication-containing cells such that each medication-containing cell includes an associated sequential value element of the electrical circuit and an associated frangible section, with each sequential value element having a unique value and being electrically coupled to the electrical circuit by the associated frangible section which, when broken, uncouples the associated sequential value element from the electrical circuit and allows access to medication within the associated cell; and

calculating the combined value of the sequential value elements electrically coupled to the electrical circuit and, based on the combined value, determining which of the cells have been accessed via breakage of the associated frangible section.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said calculating the combined value of the sequential value elements includes calculating the combined capacitance of the sequential value elements electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said calculating the combined value of the sequential value elements includes calculating the combined resistance of the sequential value elements electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said calculating the combined value of the sequential value elements includes calculating the combined inductance of the sequential value elements electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said calculating the combined value of the sequential value elements includes calculating the combined values of two or more electrical properties of the sequential value elements electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said two or more electrical properties are resistance and capacitance.