Monitoring or feedback systems and methods

• US 9,041,541 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yourbio Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Seventh Sense Biosystems, Inc.
• Inventors: Levinson, Douglas A., Bernstein, Howard, Chickering, Donald E. III
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US13/016,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20110181410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/539.12, 600/300, 600/309, 705/14.1, 705/14.4, 705/2
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for monitoring and/or providing feedback for drugs or other pharmaceuticals taken by a subject. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for determining a species within the skin of a subject; and producing feedback to a subject based on the determination of the species. The feedback may be, for example, visual, audible, tactile, a change in temperature, etc. In some cases, information regarding the determination of the species may be transmitted to another entity, e.g., a health care provider, a computer, a relative, etc., which may then provide feedback to the subject in some fashion. In some cases, the feedback may be directly indicative of the species, e.g., whether the species is present, the concentration of the species, whether a by-product of a reaction involving the species is present, whether a compound affected by the species is present, etc. However, the feedback may also be indirect in some embodiments. For example, the subject may be presented with an external reward, e.g., based on the determination of the species within the skin. For instance, a reward such as cash, coupons, songs, discounts, personal items, etc., may be offered based on the level of compliance of the subject. Still other aspects of the invention are generally directed to kits involving such devices (with or without the drug to be monitored), methods of promoting such systems, or the like.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a sensor configured, adapted or designed to determine a species withdrawn from a subject;

a processor configured to determine compliance of the subject to a prescription based on the determination of the species; and

a device indicator configured to indicate availability of an external reward based on the compliance of the subject to the prescription, wherein the external reward is available from a machine physically separate from the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device indicator comprises a display screen.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device indicator is configured to produce a coupon.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device indicator comprises a light.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the external reward comprises a coupon.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the external reward comprises a monetary reward.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the external reward comprises a visual display.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the external reward comprises music.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the external reward comprises a movie.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the external reward comprises an advertisement.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the external reward comprises a link to a web page.

12. A method, comprising:

withdrawing a species from a subject using a device fastened to the subject;

determining information comprising an amount and/or a concentration of the species using at least the device;

transmitting the information to a physically separate computing device;

determining compliance of the subject to a prescription, using the physically separate computing device, based on the transmitted information; and

using the computing device to provide, via an output device, non-number feedback to the subject based on the compliance of the subject to the prescription.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the output device provides visual feedback.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the output device provides auditory feedback.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the output device provides music.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the species is contained in blood withdrawn from the subject.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the device is configured to withdraw the species from the subject using a microneedle.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the device is configured to apply a vacuum to the skin.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising an activator for activating the device to withdraw the species from the subject.

20. A method, comprising:

determining information representing a property of a species withdrawn from the blood of a subject using a device immobilized to the skin of the subject;

transmitting the information, using the device, to a machine physically separate from the device;

determining compliance of the subject, using the machine, to a prescription based on the transmitted information; and

transmitting a signal from the machine to the device to cause the device to indicate availability of an external reward available from the machine, wherein the signal is based on compliance of the subject to the prescription.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the device is adhered to the skin of the subject.

22. A method, comprising:

providing a subject to which a drug has been administered, wherein the subject has a condition suspected of being treatable by the drug, and wherein the drug administered to the subject can not be distinguished after administration, by the subject, from a placebo without any external equipment;

determining a species withdrawn from the blood of the subject that is indicative of the drug administered to the subject;

determining compliance of the subject to a prescription involving the drug, based on the withdrawn species; and

providing feedback to the subject and/or another person based on the compliance of the subject to the prescription.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the species is the drug.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the species withdrawn from a subject is indicative of the effect of the drug administered to the subject.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the species withdrawn from a subject is indicative of the amount of the drug administered to the subject.

26. A method, comprising:

providing a subject to which a drug has been administered, wherein the subject has a condition suspected of being treatable by the drug, and wherein the drug does not cause a measurable change to the condition of the subject within the first 24 hours after administering the drug;

determining a species withdrawn from the blood of the subject that is indicative of the drug administered to the subject;

determining compliance of the subject to a prescription involving the drug, based on the withdrawn species; and

providing feedback to the subject and/or another person based on the compliance of the subject to the prescription.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the drug does not cause a measurable change to the condition of the subject within the first week after administering the drug.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the drug does not cause a measurable change to the condition of the subject within the first four weeks after administering the drug.