Devices, systems, and methods for adherence monitoring and devices, systems, and methods for monitoring use of consumable dispensers

• US 9,728,068 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2015
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gecko Health Innovations, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Gecko Health Innovations, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Engelhard, Yechiel, Maalouf, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US14/702,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20150235548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 34053918, 34053912, 34053932, 340540, 340541, 340 552, 222 23, 222 40, 222 52, 222183
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• 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: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3393 by weighing the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• 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 2205/52 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 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/22 Social work or social welfare, e.g. community support activities or counselling services
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 : Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 : delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring, and devices, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring use of consumable dispensers. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate an individual'"'"'s adherence to a schedule for consuming consumables and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the individual'"'"'s adherence to the schedule. The devices, systems, and methods can allow data regarding the individual'"'"'s historical adherence to the schedule to be accessible via a computer system. In one embodiment, an accessory is provided that can be configured to attach to consumable dispensers. The accessory can be configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating that a certain event occurred and/or that a certain action needs to be taken. The accessory can be configured to sense attachment thereof to and removal thereof from the dispenser.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a pressure sensor; and

an indicator;

wherein the apparatus is removably and replaceably attachable to a container that is movably coupled to a housing of a medication dispenser;

wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense a weight or pressure applied to the apparatus, the weight or pressure for causing movement of the container and the apparatus as a unit relative to the housing;

wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the weight or pressure is equal to or above a predetermined threshold amount of weight or pressure, the predetermined threshold determined based on at least one of a type of the container or a type of medication in the container; and

wherein the processor is configured to cause the indicator to provide a first notification to a user when the weight or pressure is determined to be equal to or above the predetermined threshold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement of the container and the apparatus as a unit relative to the housing is effective to dispense at least a portion of the medication in the container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine that at least one does of medication was dispensed from the container when the weight or pressure is equal to or above the predetermined threshold.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication mechanism configured to receive a dosing schedule from an external device, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the indicator to provide a second notification to the user indicating that at least one dose of medication is scheduled to be consumed according to the dosing schedule.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a wireless communication configured to receive the predetermined threshold amount of weight or pressure from the external device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor configured to sense a condition indicative of the apparatus being attached to the container; and

a wireless communication mechanism;

wherein the processor is configured to cause the wireless communication mechanism to wirelessly transmit data indicative of the sensed attachment to an external device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory configured to store data relating to when medication was dispensed from the container; and

a wireless communication mechanism configured to wireless transmit the stored data to an external device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a light source, a speaker, a vibration mechanism, or a temperature-changing element.

9. A method of detecting when a medication dispenser has been actuated, the method comprising:

attaching an apparatus to a container, the container being movably coupled to a housing of the medication dispenser;

sensing, via a pressure sensor of the apparatus, a weight or pressure applied to the apparatus when the apparatus is attached to the container, the weight or pressure for causing the movement of the container and the apparatus as a unit relative to the housing;

determining that the weight or pressure is equal to or above a predetermined threshold amount of weight or pressure, the predetermined threshold determined based on at least one of a type of the container or a type of medication in the container; and

storing data relating to the weight or pressure being above the predetermined threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

dispensing at least a portion of a medication in the container when the weight or pressure is equal to or above the predetermined threshold.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sensing, via a sensor of the apparatus, a condition indicative of the attachment of the apparatus to the container; and

wirelessly transmitting data from the apparatus to a mobile device, the data based on the sensed attachment of the apparatus to the container.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a dosing schedule associated with a medication in the container; and

providing a notification to a user indicating that a dose of the medication is scheduled to be consumed according to the dosing schedule.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of a light source, a speaker, a vibration mechanism, or a temperature-changing element housed within the apparatus.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of a display or speaker housed within a mobile device.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing a notification to a user when the weight or pressure is equal to or above the predetermined threshold.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of a light source, a speaker, a vibration mechanism, or a temperature-changing element housed within the apparatus.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of a display or a speaker housed within a mobile device.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the weight or pressure is determined to be equal to or above the predetermined threshold via a processor in the apparatus.

19. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting the weight or pressure from the apparatus to a mobile device, wherein the weight or pressure is determined to be equal to or above the predetermined threshold by a software module in the mobile device.

20. The method of claim 9, further comprising wirelessly transmitting the data to a mobile device.

21. The method of claim 9, wherein the data comprises a dosing history associated with a medication in the container.

22. A system comprising:

an apparatus configured to be removably and replaceably attached to a container that is movably coupled to a housing of a medication dispenser, the apparatus comprising a pressure sensor and a wireless communication mechanism; and

a mobile device configured to wirelessly communicate with the apparatus,

wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense a weight or pressure applied to the apparatus, the weight or pressure for causing movement of the container and the apparatus as a unit relative to the housing

wherein the wireless communication mechanism is configured to wirelessly transmit the weight or pressure to the mobile device, and

wherein the mobile device is configured to determine whether the weight or pressure is above a predetermined threshold amount of weight or pressure, the predetermined threshold determined based on at least one of a type of the container or a type of a medication in the container.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the mobile device is further configured to store data relating to a condition indicative of the medication being dispensed from the container, and wherein the condition is based on the weight or pressure being above the predetermined threshold.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the movement of the container and the apparatus as a unit relative to the housing is effective to dispense the medication from the container.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the apparatus further comprises a sensor configured to sense a condition indicative of the attachment of the apparatus to the container, and

wherein the wireless communication mechanism is further configured to wirelessly transmit data based on the sensed attachment to the mobile device.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the apparatus further comprises an indicator configured to provide a notification to a user when a dose of medication is scheduled to be consumed according to a predetermined schedule or when the weight or pressure is equal to or above the predetermined threshold.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a light source, a speaker, a vibration mechanism, or a temperature-changing element.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the wireless communication mechanism is further configured to receive the predetermined schedule via the mobile device.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the mobile device is further configured to receive the predetermined schedule and to provide a notification to the user indicating that a dose of medication is scheduled to be consumed according to the predetermined schedule.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the mobile device comprises a user interface for receiving at least one of the type of the container or the type of the medication in the container.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine the predetermined threshold based on at least one of the type of the container or the type of the medication in the container received via the user interface.