Use activated emergency alert for a medical device

• US 10,391,244 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2016
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Katherine Schweikert, Robert J. Schweikert
• Original Assignee: Katherine Schweikert, Robert J. Schweikert
• Inventors: Schweikert, Katherine, Schweikert, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bosworth, Kami A
• Application Number:
  US14/986,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20160193408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/178 Syringes
• 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 5/50 having means for preventing re-use, or for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile retractable needles or needle protectors with means for preventing re-use A61M5/321
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

An epinephrine auto-injector use activated device detects and responds to usage of the auto-injector. The resulting use activated device includes an actuator for manual generation of an injection force, as by a patient'"'"'s hand, and a medicinal reservoir or vial for storing a quantity of medication for injection. A plunger is responsive to the actuator for displacing the medication in the medicinal reservoir, and a needle in fluidic communication with the medicinal reservoir defines a syringe for transporting the displaced medication through an aperture in a distal end of the needle. An electrical coupling, switch or sensor is responsive to movement of the actuator for initiating an alert signal. The alert signal is configured for transmission to a first responder in anticipation of an exigent response for further medical attention, in which the movement corresponds to plunger travel for dispensing the medication in the medicinal reservoir.

Claims

1. A medication injection device, comprising:

an actuator configured for direct engagement by a user for manual generation of an injection force;

a medicinal reservoir for storing a quantity of medication for injection;

a plunger responsive to the actuator for displacing the medication in the medicinal reservoir;

a housing containing the plunger, the actuator slidably disposed within a bore in the housing;

a needle in fluidic communication with the medicinal reservoir for transporting the displaced medication through an aperture in a distal end of the needle;

an electrical coupling responsive to movement of the actuator for initiating an alert signal upon closure of the electrical coupling, the alert signal configured for transmission to a first responder in anticipation of an exigent response for further medical attention, the movement corresponding to plunger travel for dispensing the medication in the medicinal reservoir,

the electrical coupling defined by opposed contacts attached to the actuator and a circular conductor defined by the bore, the opposed contacts adapted to electrically connect to the circular conductor upon disposing the actuator through the bore;

a circuit board affixed to the housing for initiating the alert signal;

and

a connection from the circuit board to the opposed contacts.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the opposed contacts extend along a longitudinal side of the actuator and the conductive collar circularly surrounds an opening of the bore, the opposed contacts adapted to engage the conductive collar upon travel of the actuator for disposing the plunger.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a switching element disposed on the housing, the housing retaining a resilient coupling between the actuator and the plunger.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the alert signal includes a message containing an identity of the user for indexing into a database of medical history for enabling first responders to access information for strategic medical response.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a conductive sleeve around an interior of the bore defining the circular conductor.