Power control for instrumented medication package

• US 7,035,168 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2002
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DDMS Holdings, LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: DDMS Holdings, LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Heidelberger, Louis M., Niemiec, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US10/234,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20030111477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 206531-534, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/72 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/016 Separate bridge contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/141 Cushion or mat switches
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0293 Individual printed conductors which are adapted for modification, e.g. fusable or breakable conductors, printed switches

Abstract

The present invention is method for switching a power supply associated with an instrumented medication package, such that energy contained in the power supply can be preserved until the instrumented medication package is dispensed to a patient. The switch may be formed by providing an exposed discontinuity on a trace forming a conductive path between the power supply and circuitry associated with the instrumented medication package. Bridging the discontinuity, such as by placing a conductive element across the discontinuity, allows the power supply to be conductively connected to the circuitry, such that the circuitry can perform its desired function.

Claims

1. An instrumented medication package, said instrumented medication package comprising a power supply, circuitry for monitoring at least one condition associated with the instrumented medication package, and a connective path between said power supply and said circuitry;

wherein said connective path comprises a switch, said switch for alternately conductively connecting or disconnecting said power supply from said circuitry;

wherein said connective path comprises a discontinuity and at least two contacts adjacent to said discontinuity, and said switch comprises a means for selectively bridging the discontinuity between the contacts;

wherein said switch comprises a conductive membrane placeable across the discontinuity to provide a conductive path between said contacts; and

wherein said conductive membrane comprises first and second surfaces, said first surface being electrically conductive, said second surface being electrically non-conductive, wherein said first and said second surfaces form first and second exterior surfaces of the conductive membrane, and wherein said power supply may be alternately connected or disconnected by placing the electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive surface in contact with the contacts.

2. In an instrumented medication package having at least one power supply trace for conductively connecting a power supply to circuitry associated with said instrumented medication package, an electrical current flow control, said electrical current flow control comprising:

a discontinuity in said power supply trace;

a protective layer over said power supply trace, said protective layer having a window exposing said discontinuity; and

a completion element, said completion element comprising a conductive material;

wherein said power supply trace has a first and a second end adjacent to said discontinuity; and

wherein said completion element is attachable to said instrumented medication package across said discontinuity, said completion element providing an electrically conductive path when attached to said instrumented medication package across said discontinuity.

3. An instrumented medication package according to claim 2, wherein said completion element further comprises adhesive placed adjacent to a periphery of said completion element, said adhesive for attaching said completion element to said instrumented medication package across said discontinuity.

4. An instrumented medication package according to claim 3, wherein said instrumented medication package further comprises an adhesive adjacent to said discontinuity, said adhesive for attaching said connection element to said instrumented medication package across said discontinuity.

5. An instrumented medication package according to claim 4, said completion element comprising a switch label, said switch label comprising an insulative layer and a conductive layer, and wherein said adhesive for attaching said completion element comprises a releasable adhesive.

6. An instrumented medication package according to claim 5, wherein said switch label further comprises indicia on at least one surface, said indicia indicating a state of the discontinuity when said switch label is attached to said instrumented medication package across said discontinuity.

7. An instrumented medication package according to claim 4, further comprising a spacer block interposed between said instrumented medication package and said first and second ends, said spacer block formed of a non-conductive material.

8. An instrumented medication package according to claim 7, wherein said window exposes said discontinuity and extends beyond a periphery of said spacer block, such that said discontinuity is displaced above the surface of the instrumented medication package through the window.

9. An instrumented medication package according to claim 2, wherein said first and said second ends of said power supply trace comprise pads, said pads increasing the exposed surface area of said first and said second ends adjacent to the discontinuity.