Medical navigator and systems therefor

• US 6,717,598 B1
• Filed: 05/09/2000
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies Europe BV (Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Melton, Hewlett E. Jr., Douglass, John McIntyre
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US09/568,555
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: 345/764, 345/727, 345/835, 345/839, 345/846, 345/978, 434/98, 368/10, 705/2, 705/3, 600/300, 600/301, 700/90, 700/213, 700/236, 700/231, 700/240, 340/309.15, 128/920
• US Class Current: 715/846
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• 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
• 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

The present invention provides a medical device, or medical navigator, based not on a programming perspective, but a use perspective. Medication to be taken is displayed on a color screen, actual size where possible. A color display is used because the pharmaceutical industry worldwide has substantially standardized on the colors; e.g., black and yellow pills mean barbiturates. Capsules and caplets are uniquely colored for the medicines. Pharmacists can readily tell what the medication is by looking at it. And, patients identify medications by their color and size. Input mechanisms are provided for indicating compliance with the mediation schedule and the physical condition of the patient.

Claims

1. A medical device for a patient comprising:

a color screen;

an indication mechanism for prompting the patient to look at said color screen;

an input mechanism; and

a processor connected to said color screen, said indication mechanism, and said input mechanism, said processor causing said indication mechanism to cause said prompting at a predetermined time to indicate when a medication is to be taken, said processor provides a timing icon at the predetermined time on said color screen, said timing icon including a written language display of when the medication is to be taken, said timing icon display the time and a pair of icons positionable on said color screen to indicate by relative position to said medication icon the proper timing to take the medication, said processor causing a medication icon to appear on said color screen at the predetermined time, said medication icon showing a color image of a medication to be taken by the patient, and said processor responsive to said input mechanism to reset the predetermined time.

4. The medical device as claimed in claim 1 including:

an outcome input mechanism for the input of patient physical condition information.

5. The medical device as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

said processor is responsive to said outcome input mechanism to provide an outcome icon on said color screen.

6. The medical device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said timing icon displays the time.

7. The medical device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said processor causing said medication icon to appear on said color screen further causes a medical cautionary icon to appear.

8. The medical device as claimed in claim 1 including:

a pharmacy system; and

a link to said pharmacy system for communication with said processor regarding the medication for the patient.

9. The medical device as claimed in claim 1 including:

a clinician/provider system; and

a link for communication with said processor regarding the physical condition of the patient.

10. The medical device as claimed in claim 1 including:

a medical system including a pharmacy system and a clinician/provider system; and

a linking system for communication of patient medical and physical information among said processor, said pharmacy system, and said clinician/provider system.

2. The medical device as claimed in 1, including:

a compliance input mechanism for input of information that the patient has taken a medication.

3. The medical device as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said processor is responsive to said compliance input mechanism to provide a compliance icon in response to input therefrom indicative of the patient having taken a medication.

11. A medical device for a patient comprising:

a color screen;

an indication mechanism for prompting the patient to look at said color screen, said indication mechanism selectable to provide an indication selected from a group consisting of an audio, a physical, and a combination indication;

an input mechanism; and

a processor connected to said color screen, said indication mechanism, and said input mechanism, said processor causing said indication mechanism to cause said prompting at a predetermined time, said processor causing a medication icon to appear on said color screen at the predetermined time to indicate when a medication is to be taken, said process provides a timing icon at the predetermined time on said color screen, said timing icon including a written language display of when the medication is to be taken, said timing icon displays the time and a pair of icons positionable on said color screen to indicate by relative position to said medication icon the proper timing to take the medication, said processor capable of causing an actual-size medication icon to be displayed, said medication icon showing a color image of a medication to be taken by the patient, and said processor responsive to said input mechanism to reset the predetermined time.

14. The medical device as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

an outcome input mechanism for the patient to input physical condition information, said outcome input mechanism capable of receiving a plurality of possible inputs.

15. The medical device as claimed in claim 14 wherein:

said processor is responsive to said outcome input mechanism to provide a plurality of different outcome icons on said color screen, said outcome icons including icons indicating if the patient feels better, worse, or the same.

16. The medical device as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

said processor causing a medication icon to appear on said color screen causes a medical cautionary icon to appear indicating no alcohol, do not drive, no dairy products, or a combination thereof.

17. The medical device as claimed in claim 11 including:

a pharmacy system; and

a link to said pharmacy system for communication with said processor for updating the medication and medication information for the patient, said link including a wireless link.

18. The medical device as claimed in claim 11 including:

a clinician/provider system; and

a link for communication with said processor regarding the physical condition of and medication instructions for the patient, said link including a wireless link.

19. The medical device as claimed in claim 11 including:

a medical system including a pharmacy system and a clinician/provider system; and

a linking system for communication of patient medical and physical information among said processor, said pharmacy system, and said clinician/provider system, said linking system including a wireless link and a telephone link.

12. The medical device as claimed in 11, including:

a compliance input mechanism for input of information that the patient has taken a medication in accordance with said medication icon.

13. The medical device as claimed in claim 12 wherein:

said processor is responsive to aid compliance input mechanism to provide a compliance icon in response to input therefrom and to reset the predetermined time.