Devices, systems and methods for locating and interacting with medicament delivery systems

• US 9,911,308 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2013
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kaleo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kaleo, Inc.
• Inventors: Edwards, Eric S., Edwards, Evan T., Licata, Mark J., Meyers, Paul F., Kamat, Vaishali Vilas, Gardner, Steven David, Milner, Robert George
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, Phillip
• Application Number:
  US14/142,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20140243749A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 604187
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/007 Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0001 Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/08 Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/206 With automatic needle insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2073 preventing premature release, e.g. by making use of a safety lock
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 : by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 : Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 : with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 : Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/20 : Blood composition characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 : Glucose concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 : Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/20 : Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically A61M5/142 , A61M5/46 take precedence; hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2053 : Media being expelled from injector by pressurised fluid or vacuum for infusion A61M5/145, A61M5/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3157 : Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed A61M5/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3202 : Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps A61M5/50 takes precedence; for infusion spikes A61M5/1626; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 : for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/185 : Electrical failure alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 : Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 : delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3827 : Portable transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• 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

In some embodiments, a method includes producing, from an adapter, a first wireless signal characterized by a first communication mode with a computing device when a portion of at least one of a medicament delivery device or a simulated medicament delivery is disposed within the adapter. An indication is received when the portion of the medicament delivery device or the simulated medicament delivery device is removed from the adapter. A second wireless signal characterized by a second communication mode with the computing device is produced in response to the indication. The second communication mode is different from the first communication mode. The second communication mode can be, for example, a hold mode, a sniff mode or a park mode.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a medicament delivery device; and

an electronic circuit system including a radio and a power source, the radio configured to electronically communicate with a computing device via a short-range wireless communication protocol, the radio configured to send a first short-range wireless signal characterized by a first communication interval associated with a first power consumption from the power source when the medicament delivery device is in a first configuration, the radio configured to send a second short-range wireless signal characterized by a second communication interval associated with a second power consumption from the power source when the medicament delivery device is in a second configuration, the second communication interval being different from the first communication interval such that the second power consumption is different than the first power consumption.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second communication interval is at least one of an advertising interval, a hold duration period, a sniff interval or a park mode beacon period.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first communication interval is associated with a first communication mode between the electronic circuit system and the computing device; and

the second communication interval is associated with a second communication mode between the electronic circuit system and the computing device, the second communication mode different than the first communication mode.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first communication interval is associated with a communication latency between the electronic circuit system and the computing device of greater than about one second; and

the second communication interval is associated with a communication latency between the electronic circuit system and the computing device of less than about one second.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic circuit system includes a sensor configured to produce a transition signal when the medicament delivery device transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration, the radio configured to send the second short-range wireless signal in response to the transition signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sensor is at least one of a contact sensor, a switch, a microphone, a capacitance sensor or an optical sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic circuit system includes a sensor and a communication module, the communication module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device, the sensor configured to produce a transition signal when the medicament delivery device transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration, the communication module configured to determine, based on the transition signal, the second communication interval.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the medicament delivery device is an auto-injector having an actuator configured to initiate delivery of a medicament and a lock member configured to limit movement of the actuator, the lock member in a first position relative to the actuator when the auto-injector is in the first configuration, the lock member in a second position relative to the actuator when the auto-injector is in the second configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the medicament delivery device is configured to produce a sound when the medicament delivery device is transitioned from the first configuration to the second configuration;

the electronic circuit system includes a microphone configured to produce a transition signal in response to the sound; and

the radio is configured to send the second short-range w wireless signal in response to the transition signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an adapter configured to receive at least a portion the medicament delivery device, the portion of the medicament delivery device being within the adapter when the medicament delivery device is in the first configuration, the portion of the medicament delivery device being outside of the adapter when the medicament delivery device is in the second configuration, the power source being electrically coupled to the radio when the medicament delivery device is in the first configuration and the second configuration.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the medicament delivery device is an auto-injector having an actuator and a cover, the actuator configured to initiate delivery of a medicament from the auto-injector, the cover disposed about the actuator when the auto-injector is in the first configuration, the cover removed from about the actuator when the auto-injector is in the second configuration;

the power source is electrically coupled to the radio when the auto-injector is in each of the first configuration and the second configuration; and

the electronic circuit system includes a switch and an audible output device, the electronic circuit system configured to produce a recorded speech output associated with an injection event via the audible output device when the switch is actuated, the cover configured to actuate the switch when the cover is removed from about the actuator.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the medicament delivery device is an auto-injector having a housing, an actuator, and a cover, the actuator configured to initiate delivery of a medicament from the auto-injector, the cover disposed about the actuator when the auto-injector is in the first configuration, the cover removed from about the actuator when the auto-injector is in the second configuration;

the electronic circuit system is coupled to the housing of the auto-injector such that the power source is within the housing, the power source continuously providing power to the radio when the auto-injector is in each of the first configuration and the second configuration; and

the electronic circuit system includes a sensor configured to produce an indication when the auto-injector is transitioned from the first configuration to the second configuration, the radio configured to send the second short-range wireless signal in response to the indication.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic circuit system includes an audible output device and a power module, the electronic circuit system configured to produce a recorded speech output associated with a medicament delivery event via the audible output device when the medicament delivery device transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration, the power module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device, the power module configured to disable operation of the radio during operation of the audible output device.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a radio coupled to a medicament delivery device, the radio configured to electronically communicate with a computing device via a short-range wireless communication protocol, the radio sending a first short-range wireless signal characterized by a first communication interval associated with a first power consumption when the medicament delivery device is in a first configuration, the radio sending a second short-range wireless signal characterized by a second communication interval associated with a second power consumption when the medicament delivery device is in a second configuration;

a battery continuously providing power to the radio when the medicament delivery device is in each of the first configuration and the second configuration;

a sensor configured to produce a transition signal when the medicament delivery device transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration; and

a communication module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device, the communication module configured to receive the transition signal and determine, based on the transition signal, at least the second communication interval.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second communication interval is at least one of an advertising interval, a hold duration period, a sniff interval or a park mode beacon period.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the first communication interval is associated with a first communication mode between the radio and the computing device; and

the second communication interval is associated with a second communication mode between the radio and the computing device, the second communication mode different than the first communication mode.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

the memory coupled to the medicament delivery device, the memory being configured to store actuation information associated with an actuation of the medicament delivery device; and

the communication module is configured to receive the actuation information and produce, based on the actuation information, a data signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

at least one of the first short-range wireless signal or the second short-range wireless signal is associated with a first radio frequency channel; and

the radio is configured to send a third short-range wireless signal associated with the data signal, the third short-range wireless signal associated with a second radio frequency channel, the second radio frequency channel different from the first radio frequency channel.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

an adapter configured to be removably coupled to at least a portion of at least one of a medicament delivery device or a simulated medicament delivery device, the adapter defining a cavity configured to receive the portion of the medicament delivery device or the simulated medicament delivery device; and

an electronic circuit system coupled to the adapter, the electronic circuit system including a power source, a radio, and a sensor, the radio configured to electronically communicate with a computing device via a short-range wireless communication protocol, the sensor configured to detect when the portion of the medicament delivery device or the simulated medicament delivery device is within the adapter, the radio operating according to a first communication mode associated with a first power consumption when the portion of the medicament delivery device or the simulated medicament delivery device is within the adapter, the radio operating according to a second communication mode associated with a second power consumption when the portion of the medicament delivery device or the simulated medicament delivery device is outside of the cavity of the adapter, the second power consumption different from the first power consumption.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first communication mode is characterized by a first communication interval and the second communication mode is characterized by a second communication interval, the second communication interval different from the first communication interval.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first communication mode is any one of an active mode, a hold mode, a sniff mode, or a park mode.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the electronic circuit system includes a processor configured to execute code to cause the processor to:

receive a configuration signal from the sensor; and

produce a short-range wireless signal characterized by a communication interval associated with the first communication mode.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the sensor is at least one of a contact sensor, a switch, a microphone, a capacitance sensor or an optical sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

the medicament delivery device is configured to produce a sound when the medicament delivery device is actuated;

the electronic circuit system includes a microphone configured to produce an indication in response to the sound; and

the radio is configured to send a short-range wireless signal in response to the indication.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the electronic circuit system includes:

a memory configured to store actuation information associated with an actuation of the medicament delivery device; and

a processor configured to execute code to cause the processor to receive the actuation information and produce a data signal.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the electronic circuit system includes a light output device configured to produce a light output when the portion of the medicament delivery device or the simulated medicament delivery device is removed from within the cavity of the adapter.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the electronic circuit system includes:

a memory configured to store time information associated with the medicament delivery device;

a processor configured to execute code to cause the processor to receive the time information and produce an alarm signal; and

a light output device configured to receive the alarm signal and produce a light output via the light output device.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the radio is configured to send a short-range wireless signal in response to the alarm signal.

26. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

the medicament delivery device is an inhaler that includes a medicament container; and

the adapter is configured to be removably coupled to the medicament container.

30. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the power source continuously provides power to the radio.