Device for enabling patient self testing and treatment self- administration and system using the device for managing the patient's health care
First Claim
1. A treatment administration unit comprising:
- a housing of a size suitable for transport in a handbag or clothing pocket;
a sampling module in the housing operable to take a biological sample from a patient and test a property of the sample relating to a medical condition of the patient;
a microprocessor in the housing for operating the sampling module and determining the medical condition of the patient from the property tested by the sampling module;
an administration module in the housing including (i) a container for a substance effective to treat the medical condition and (ii) an administration device operable to administer the substance internally of the patient from the container under the control of the microprocessor, wherein a start signal is generated when operation of the administration device has been enabled;
a proximity sensor for generating a sensing signal when the unit is oriented relative to the patient for operation of the administration device;
a wireless communication device in the housing and under the control of the microprocessor; and
circuitry in the housing for detecting the location of the unit, wherein;
the microprocessor includes a treatment protocol memory for an individual patient that stores parameters for determining when the medical condition determined by the testing of the sample property presents a potential danger to the patient and a healthcare facility index with geographical locations and contact information for a plurality of healthcare facilities,the unit includes timer circuitry for measuring a time elapsed from the determination by the microprocessor that the medical condition presents a potential danger to the patient and for measuring a time elapsed from generation of the start signal,the microprocessor is operable to determine from the location of the unit and the healthcare facility index a location of a healthcare facility that can treat the patient,the microprocessor automatically operates the administration device to introduce the substance internally of the patient when the sensing signal is generated prior to the elapse of a first predetermined time after generation of the start signal, andthe wireless communication device automatically notifies a healthcare facility of the existence of the medical condition presenting a potential danger to the patient and the location of the unit in the absence of a start signal before the elapse of a second predetermined time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable unit comprises a sampling mechanism used by a patient to take a sample of a bodily fluid or tissue that can be tested for any property indicative of a medical condition of the patient, a microprocessor for determining a treatment for the condition based on a test of the sample, and an administration mechanism for administering the treatment based on the determination by the microprocessor. Operationally, the unit samples a bodily function, evaluates the sample, determines from stored protocols and criteria if treatment is required, and administers treatment. Two-way wireless communication between the unit and one or more remote networks enables numerous functionalities, including (i) collection and collation of medical information and records relating to multiple users of information stored by their units for access by healthcare providers, regulatory agencies, insurance carriers, pharmaceutical companies, and others, (ii) unit maintenance and resupply of consumables, and (iii) direct user-to-user communication.
71 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A treatment administration unit comprising:
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a housing of a size suitable for transport in a handbag or clothing pocket; a sampling module in the housing operable to take a biological sample from a patient and test a property of the sample relating to a medical condition of the patient; a microprocessor in the housing for operating the sampling module and determining the medical condition of the patient from the property tested by the sampling module; an administration module in the housing including (i) a container for a substance effective to treat the medical condition and (ii) an administration device operable to administer the substance internally of the patient from the container under the control of the microprocessor, wherein a start signal is generated when operation of the administration device has been enabled; a proximity sensor for generating a sensing signal when the unit is oriented relative to the patient for operation of the administration device; a wireless communication device in the housing and under the control of the microprocessor; and circuitry in the housing for detecting the location of the unit, wherein; the microprocessor includes a treatment protocol memory for an individual patient that stores parameters for determining when the medical condition determined by the testing of the sample property presents a potential danger to the patient and a healthcare facility index with geographical locations and contact information for a plurality of healthcare facilities, the unit includes timer circuitry for measuring a time elapsed from the determination by the microprocessor that the medical condition presents a potential danger to the patient and for measuring a time elapsed from generation of the start signal, the microprocessor is operable to determine from the location of the unit and the healthcare facility index a location of a healthcare facility that can treat the patient, the microprocessor automatically operates the administration device to introduce the substance internally of the patient when the sensing signal is generated prior to the elapse of a first predetermined time after generation of the start signal, and the wireless communication device automatically notifies a healthcare facility of the existence of the medical condition presenting a potential danger to the patient and the location of the unit in the absence of a start signal before the elapse of a second predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A blood glucose testing unit comprising:
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a housing of a size suitable for transport in a handbag or clothing pocket; a sampling module in the housing operable to take a biological sample from a patient and determine the patient'"'"'s blood glucose level from the biological sample; a microprocessor in the housing for operating the sampling module; an insulin administration unit in the housing, the administration unit including (i) a container for insulin and (ii) an administration device operable to administer the insulin internally of the patient from the container under the control of the microprocessor, wherein a start signal is generated when operation of the administration device is enabled; a proximity sensor for generating a sensing signal when the unit is oriented relative to the patient for operation of the administration device; a user interface in the housing under the control of the microprocessor, the user interface including (i) at least one of a display and a speaker for communicating information to a user of the unit, and (ii) an input device for accepting an input from the user; a wireless communication device in the housing and under the control of the microprocessor; and circuitry in the housing for detecting the location of the unit, wherein; the microprocessor includes a treatment protocol memory for an individual patient that stores parameters for determining when the patient'"'"'s blood glucose level indicates a hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic condition of potential danger to the patient and a healthcare facility index with geographical locations and contact information for a plurality of healthcare facilities, the microprocessor is operable to cause the user interface to notify the user that the patient'"'"'s hypoglycemic condition presents a potential danger, the unit includes timer circuitry for measuring a time elapsed after the notification that the patient'"'"'s hypoglycemic condition presents a potential danger, for measuring the time elapsed from the determination by the microprocessor that the patient'"'"'s hyperglycemic condition presents a potential danger, and for measuring a time elapsed from generation of the start signal, the microprocessor is operable to determine from the location of the unit and the healthcare facility index a location a healthcare facility that can treat the patient, the wireless communication device automatically notifies a healthcare facility of the existence of a patient with a potentially dangerous level of hypoglycemia and the location of the unit in the absence of an input via the user interface acknowledging the notification before the elapse of a first predetermined time, the microprocessor automatically operates the administration device to introduce the insulin internally of the patient when the sensing signal is generated prior to the elapse of a second predetermined time after generation of the start signal, and the wireless communication device automatically notifies a healthcare facility of the existence of a patient with a potentially dangerous level of hyperglycemia and the location of the unit in the absence of a start signal before the elapse of a third predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A blood glucose testing unit as in 27, wherein the second predetermined time is about five seconds and the third predetermined time is between 10 seconds and one minute.
Specification