An eye drop monitoring device for monitoring gravity-driven placement of an eye drop into an eye of a patient includes a light source configured to selectively direct light toward at least one of the eye and the eye drop. The light is backscattered by at least one of the eye and the eye drop. A light detector is configured to detect the backscattered light from at least one of the eye and the eye drop and responsively produce at least one backscatter signal. An accelerometer is configured to determine a spatial position of the device and responsively produce a device position signal. A processing unit is configured to receive the at least one backscatter signal and the device position signal and responsively produce a drop-on-target signal indicative of a likelihood that the eye drop fell into a predetermined position with respect to the eye.
A61F 9/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the eyesDevices for putting in contact-lensesDevices to correct squintingApparatus to guide the blindProtective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
2.
Determining opening of portals through acoustic emissions
“Smart” functionality is provided to “dumb” containers. A closure such as tape is provided with structural nonuniformity, such as holes punched to weaken the material or polymer printing to strengthen the material. Data is encoded in structural nonuniformity, so when the closure is torn, cut, or otherwise yields the data is encoded in the acoustic emission. The structural nonuniformity also may be readable optically or otherwise. Encoded data may include event detection (logging containers opening), package/product information (e.g., lot numbers, contents), validation (e.g., validation codes to distinguish authentic from counterfeit products), and user recognition (e.g., brand jingles, warning sounds). Closures may be made/dispensed with structural nonuniformity in place, and/or structural nonuniformity may be added to closures already securing a portal. Hand-held systems may dispense and/or modify closures with structural nonuniformity.
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electric transmissionAudible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
An RF signal is provided by a base such as a smart phone. A remote is engaged with a medication container. The remote includes an RFPM, RF signal receiver, LO signal generator, and IF signal emitter. An energizer on the remote provides power only as medication is dispensed. While energized, the RFPM modulates the RF signal with an LO signal to produce an IF signal. The existence of the IF signal (characteristic of the RFPM, RF signal, and LO signal) thus indicates medication has been dispensed. The IF signal is detected in the base, and registered (recorded, displayed, communicated, etc.) as an indication that medication has been dispensed. The remote may be configured as a label applied to or a sleeve engaged with an otherwise “non-smart” container. This provides authenticated data regarding medication adherence, transparent to the user and requiring no additional user actions to register the data.
G16H 40/67 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
G16H 20/13 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients delivered from dispensers
4.
Determining opening of portals through acoustic emissions
“Smart” functionality is provided to “dumb” containers. A closure such as tape is provided with structural nonuniformity, such as holes punched to weaken the material or polymer printing to strengthen the material. Data is encoded in structural nonuniformity, so when the closure is torn, cut, or otherwise yields the data is encoded in the acoustic emission. The structural nonuniformity also may be readable optically or otherwise. Encoded data may include event detection (logging containers opening), package/product information (e.g., lot numbers, contents), validation (e.g., validation codes to distinguish authentic from counterfeit products), and user recognition (e.g., brand jingles, warning sounds). Closures may be made/dispensed with structural nonuniformity in place, and/or structural nonuniformity may be added to closures already securing a portal. Hand-held systems may dispense and/or modify closures with structural nonuniformity.
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electric transmissionAudible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
Arrangements are provided for “smart” functionality with “dumb” containers, such as for tracking medication use to determine adherence. An acoustic emitter such as a whistle is engaged with a container such as an eye drop bottle. An event such as dispensing medication or opening the container causes a characteristic acoustic emission, such as an ultrasonic pitch of specific frequency. The emitter may be purposefully configured to produce the emission, may operate so that the emission is a natural consequence of dispensing medication (or other event), and may operate transparently to the user. The emitter may be part of a larger remote, such as a squeezable air-filled shell with an aperture to accept the container. A cell phone or other station receives the acoustic emission, and if a processor thereof determines that the emission is characteristic of the emitter the event is recorded, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise registered.
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
G16H 20/13 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients delivered from dispensers
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
B65D 47/18 - Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubesClosures with discharging devices other than pumps with discharge nozzles or passages for discharging dropsDroppers
6.
Determining use and validity of vehicles through acoustic emissions
Arrangements are provided for “smart” functionality with “dumb” containers, such as for determining medication adherence, tracking product use, and validating product authenticity. An acoustic emitter is engaged with a container or other vehicle. Opening the container causes the acoustic emitter to produce an acoustic emission, without requiring power, processing capacity, or sensors. A cell phone or other station receives and registers acoustic emissions, such as by logging opening of the container, verifying authenticity of the acoustic emission, communicating with an oversight system, or similar. Data as may be encoded in an acoustic emission may include vehicle detection data (e.g., logging a container being opened), vehicle information (e.g., lot number, contents name), vehicle validation (e.g., valid or counterfeit numerical code), and audible user recognition (e.g., brand jingles, warning sounds).
B65D 55/02 - Locking devicesMeans for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
G10K 1/00 - Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs
B65D 41/04 - Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
B65D 55/06 - Deformable or tearable wires, strings or strips (caps or cap-like closures with tear-strips )Use of seals
B65D 77/04 - Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
B65D 1/02 - Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
A61F 9/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the eyesDevices for putting in contact-lensesDevices to correct squintingApparatus to guide the blindProtective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
B65D 41/02 - Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
7.
Determining use of medication through consequential characteristic acoustic emissions
Arrangements are provided for “smart” functionality with “dumb” containers, such as for tracking medication use to determine adherence. An acoustic emitter such as a whistle is engaged with a container such as an eye drop bottle. An event such as dispensing medication or opening the container causes a characteristic acoustic emission, such as an ultrasonic pitch of specific frequency. The emitter may be purposefully configured to produce the emission, may operate so that the emission is a natural consequence of dispensing medication (or other event), and may operate transparently to the user. The emitter may be part of a larger remote, such as a squeezable air-filled shell with an aperture to accept the container. A cell phone or other station receives the acoustic emission, and if a processor thereof determines that the emission is characteristic of the emitter the event is recorded, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise registered.
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
G16H 20/13 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients delivered from dispensers
B65D 47/18 - Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubesClosures with discharging devices other than pumps with discharge nozzles or passages for discharging dropsDroppers
8.
Determining use and validity of vehicles through acoustic emissions
Arrangements are provided for “smart” functionality with “dumb” containers, such as for determining medication adherence, tracking product use, and validating product authenticity. An acoustic emitter is engaged with a container or other vehicle. Opening the container causes the acoustic emitter to produce an acoustic emission, without requiring power, processing capacity, or sensors. A cell phone or other station receives and registers acoustic emissions, such as by logging opening of the container, verifying authenticity of the acoustic emission, communicating with an oversight system, or similar. Data as may be encoded in an acoustic emission may include vehicle detection data (e.g., logging a container being opened), vehicle information (e.g., lot number, contents name), vehicle validation (e.g., valid or counterfeit numerical code), and audible user recognition (e.g., brand jingles, warning sounds).
Arrangements are provided for “smart” functionality such as for tracking medication use to determine adherence, without requiring smart containers therefor. A bin is provided for receiving used/empty containers, packaging, or other discarded material incidental to the use of the medication. Sensors generate signals when the material is deposited within the bin, and a processor determines whether those signals correspond with the incidental material of interest. The processor also may identify when signals correspond with other, spurious material deposited in the bin. Responsive to a positive correspondence, a contextual event such as deposition of a used vial is stored, displayed, communicated, and/or otherwise registered. Contextual events, times therefor, lack of same, etc. are considered to provide authenticated determinations of adherence to a medication regimen. Authenticated adherence determinations may support medication adherence monitoring, medication adherence itself, and/or medication outcomes for patient treatment, clinical trials, etc.
A61J 1/18 - Arrangements for indicating condition of container contents, e.g. sterile condition
G08B 21/24 - Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
A61F 9/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the eyesDevices for putting in contact-lensesDevices to correct squintingApparatus to guide the blindProtective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
B09B 3/00 - Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
A61B 50/36 - Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for collecting or disposing of used articles
10.
Universal modular attachments for eye drop containers
Introduced here are universal modular attachments that can be attached to medication containers. Because a single modular attachment is typically attachable to medication containers of different sizes, the modular attachment can be referred to as a “universal modular attachment.” For example, some universal modular attachments are attachable to any cylindrical eye drop container having a diameter ranging from 20 millimeters (mm) to 27 mm. A connector ring that substantially matches the diameter of the medication container secures the universal modular attachment to the medication container. The connector ring may be fixedly affixed to the medication container, while the universal modular attachment may be detachably connectable to the connector ring. Each universal modular attachment also includes sensor(s) that are configured to detect administrations of medication. For example, the universal modular attachment may include a motion sensor able to detect instances of movement that are indicative of administrations of medication.
A61F 9/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the eyesDevices for putting in contact-lensesDevices to correct squintingApparatus to guide the blindProtective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
11.
Monitoring adherence to a medication regimen using a sensor
A method and apparatus for monitoring and/or managing adherence to a medication regimen that involves use of a sensor. Dispensing medicine from a container commonly involves motion of the container, which can be a distinctive motion. In some embodiments, a processor monitors motion sensor data from a motion sensor that is physically coupled to the container, such that the motion sensor and the container move in unison. A processor analyzes the sensor data to determine physical movement of the container. When the determined movement matches the distinctive motion of medicine being dispensed, the processor can determine that medicine has been dispensed. A computer system can compare the dispensed medication to a planned medication regimen to determine a state of compliance to the medication regimen. The computer system can take an action based on the compliance state, such as sending a message indicating the compliance state to a medical professional.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
A61F 9/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the eyesDevices for putting in contact-lensesDevices to correct squintingApparatus to guide the blindProtective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
A method and apparatus for monitoring and/or managing adherence to a medication regimen that involves use of a sensor. Dispensing medicine from a container commonly involves pressure being applied to the container, which results in expansion of the container. In some embodiments, pressure is applied by a user through an aperture of the apparatus. In some embodiments, a processor monitors pressure sensor data from a pressure sensor that is physically coupled to the container and arranged such that activation of the pressure sensor indicates the container has expanded in response to the user applying pressure. A processor analyzes the pressure sensor data to determine whether medicine has been dispensed from the container. A computer system can compare the dispensed medication to a planned medication regimen to determine a state of compliance with the medication regimen.
A61M 5/32 - NeedlesDetails of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hubAccessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the bodyDevices for protection of needles
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
A61B 5/145 - Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration or pH-value
An identity standard (a name, cell number, face image, etc.), a therapeutic event standard associated with the identity standard (such as a stored image of a person taking a medication), and a parameter standard associated with the identity standard (e.g. a time range for taking medication) are established. If a transmission (such as a selfie from a cell phone) is observed, that transmission is received and determinations are made as to whether the transmission satisfies the identity standard, the therapeutic event standard, and the parameter standard. If the identity standard, therapeutic event standard, and parameter standard are satisfied, a satisfaction reaction is executed (logging data, sending a confirmation message, etc.).
G06Q 50/00 - Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
G16H 20/10 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
G16H 20/30 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
G16H 20/40 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
Systems and methods for medication management are provided. Some embodiments provide for a portable medication management and monitoring system for eye drop instillation in ocular chronic conditions. At least one embodiment includes a device having one or more of the following elements: (a) a jacket that goes around an eye drop bottle; (b) tactile sensors to detect the user's fingers and generate data to activate the system; (c) motion sensors to detect the motion of the medication bottle when it is grabbed and moved by the user; (d) a wireless communication module to send and receive data to a computer and portable communication devices; and/or (e) a compartment for holding the electronic components.
A61M 35/00 - Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body
A61F 9/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the eyesDevices for putting in contact-lensesDevices to correct squintingApparatus to guide the blindProtective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
15.
Portable management and monitoring system for eye drop medication regiment
Systems and methods for medication management are provided. Some embodiments provide for a portable medication management and monitoring system for eye drop instillation in ocular chronic conditions. At least one embodiment includes a device having one or more of the following elements: (a) a jacket that goes around an eye drop bottle; (b) tactile sensors to detect the user's fingers and generate data to activate the system; (c) motion sensors to detect the motion of the medication bottle when it is grabbed and moved by the user; (d) a wireless communication module to send and receive data to a computer and portable communication devices; and/or (e) a compartment for holding the electronic components.
A61M 35/00 - Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body
G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
A61F 9/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the eyesDevices for putting in contact-lensesDevices to correct squintingApparatus to guide the blindProtective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
16.
Portable management and monitoring system for eye drop medication regiment
Systems and methods for medication management are provided. Some embodiments provide for a portable medication management and monitoring system for eye drop instillation in ocular chronic conditions. At least one embodiment includes a device having one or more of the following elements: (a) a jacket that goes around an eye drop bottle; (b) tactile sensors to detect the user's fingers and generate data to activate the system; (c) motion sensors to detect the motion of the medication bottle when it is grabbed and moved by the user; (d) a wireless communication module to send and receive data to a computer and portable communication devices; and/or (e) a compartment for holding the electronic components.
A61M 35/00 - Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body
A61F 9/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the eyesDevices for putting in contact-lensesDevices to correct squintingApparatus to guide the blindProtective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
patents