A smart case capable of monitoring blister cards having a range of formats is presented. The smart case includes a sensor system able to detect a change in the lidding film and/or content of a blister card substantially anywhere over the lateral extent of the blister card. In some embodiments, an adapter is included that enables any of a set of blister cards having different configurations (e.g., reservoir numbers, sizes, shapes, and/or inter-reservoir spacings) to be mounted in the same smart case. In some embodiments, the adapter includes walls that mitigate crosstalk between adjacent reservoirs and sensors. Sensor systems in accordance with the present disclosure provide at least one signal for each reservoir on each blister card of the set. In some embodiments, the sensor system has a density of detector elements that is at least equal to the highest density of reservoirs in any blister card of the set.
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
G01V 8/20 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers
A smart case capable of monitoring blister cards having a range of formats is presented. The smart case includes a sensor system able to detect a change in the lidding film and/or content of a blister card substantially anywhere over the lateral extent of the blister card. In some embodiments, an adapter is included that enables any of a set of blister cards having different configurations (e.g., reservoir numbers, sizes, shapes, and/or inter-reservoir spacings) to be mounted in the same smart case. In some embodiments, the adapter includes walls that mitigate crosstalk between adjacent reservoirs and sensors. Sensor systems in accordance with the present disclosure provide at least one signal for each reservoir on each blister card of the set. In some embodiments, the sensor system has a density of detector elements that is at least equal to the highest density of reservoirs in any blister card of the set.
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
G01V 8/20 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers
4.
Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
The present disclosure enables apparatus and methods for tracking medications and/or product units via smart-packaging concepts. Embodiments include sensors that monitor the state of a blister-card package having an unpatterned lidding film by measuring the impedance of each dispensing region of the lidding film that defines a portion of a blister. In some embodiments, the impedance is measured via a plurality of contact points arranged on opposite sides of each dispensing region, where the contact points are resistively or capacitively coupled with the lidding film. In some embodiments, the impedance map of a measurement region on the blister card is derived via electrical impedance tomography or electrical resistance tomography, where the measurement region includes a plurality of dispensing regions.
G01R 27/08 - Measuring resistance by measuring both voltage and current
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
G01N 27/02 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
G01N 27/06 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a liquid
G01N 27/07 - Construction of measuring vesselsElectrodes therefor
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
21 - HouseHold or kitchen utensils, containers and materials; glassware; porcelain; earthenware
Goods & Services
Smart containers for pills, namely pill boxes for personal use embedded with smart technology for organizing, monitoring dispensing pill dosages and dispensing pills
A modular smart packaging case comprising reversibly attachable electronics and detection modules is disclosed. The detection module includes a sensor array for monitoring the state of a blister pack containing a plurality of product units. The electronics module contains the high-value electronics required to read the sensors of the array, process the sensor output, and enable communications to and from the case. The electronics module and detection module are operatively coupled via a universal interface that enables the same electronics module to operate with a plurality of detection modules of different configurations. In some embodiments, the electronics module operatively couples with multiple detection modules.
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
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
8.
Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
The present disclosure enables apparatus and methods for tracking medications and/or product units via smart-packaging concepts. Embodiments include sensors that monitor the state of a blister-card package having an unpatterned lidding film by measuring the impedance of each dispensing region of the lidding film that defines a portion of a blister. In some embodiments, the impedance is measured via a plurality of contact points arranged on opposite sides of each dispensing region, where the contact points are resistively or capacitively coupled with the lidding film. In some embodiments, the impedance map of a measurement region on the blister card is derived via electrical impedance tomography or electrical resistance tomography, where the measurement region includes a plurality of dispensing regions.
G01R 27/08 - Measuring resistance by measuring both voltage and current
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
G01N 27/06 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a liquid
G01N 27/02 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
G01N 27/07 - Construction of measuring vesselsElectrodes therefor
Methods and apparatus for monitoring the content of a chamber of a container via electrical capacitive tomography (ECT) or acoustic imaging are presented. The three-dimensional volume of the chamber and its content are imaged by developing a map of permittivity or acoustic impedance by (1) applying a stimulus signal between each of a plurality of electrode pairs of a plurality of electrodes that is arranged about the chamber and (2), for each stimulus signal applied, measuring a response signal at each of the remaining electrodes of the plurality. Once the map of permittivity or acoustic impedance is established, the number and type of tablets (or liquid) within the chamber is determined.
A smart case capable of monitoring blister cards having a range of formats is presented. The smart case includes a sensor system able to detect a change in the lidding film and/or content of a blister card substantially anywhere over the lateral extent of the blister card. In some embodiments, an adapter is included that enables any of a set of blister cards having different configurations (e.g., reservoir numbers, sizes, shapes, and/or inter-reservoir spacings) to be mounted in the same smart case. In some embodiments, the adapter includes walls that mitigate crosstalk between adjacent reservoirs and sensors. Sensor systems in accordance with the present disclosure provide at least one signal for each reservoir on each blister card of the set. In some embodiments, the sensor system has a density of detector elements that is at least equal to the highest density of reservoirs in any blister card of the set.
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
G01V 8/20 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers
12.
Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
The present disclosure enables apparatus and methods for tracking medications and/or product units via smart-packaging concepts. Embodiments include sensors that monitor the state of a blister-card package having an unpatterned lidding film by measuring the impedance of each dispensing region of the lidding film that defines a portion of a blister. In some embodiments, the impedance is measured via a plurality of contact points arranged on opposite sides of each dispensing region, where the contact points are resistively or capacitively coupled with the lidding film. In some embodiments, the impedance map of a measurement region on the blister card is derived via electrical impedance tomography or electrical resistance tomography, where the measurement region includes a plurality of dispensing regions.
G01R 27/08 - Measuring resistance by measuring both voltage and current
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
G01N 27/06 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a liquid
G01N 27/02 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
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 10/60 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
G16H 70/40 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical references relating to drugs, e.g. their side effects or intended usage
Methods and apparatus for monitoring the content of a chamber of a container via electrical capacitive tomography (ECT) or acoustic imaging are presented. The three-dimensional volume of the chamber and its content are imaged by developing a map of permittivity or acoustic impedance by (1) applying a stimulus signal between each of a plurality of electrode pairs of a plurality of electrodes that is arranged about the chamber and (2), for each stimulus signal applied, measuring a response signal at each of the remaining electrodes of the plurality. Once the map of permittivity or acoustic impedance is established, the number and type of tablets (or liquid) within the chamber is determined.
A method and apparatus for monitoring adherence to a dosing-regimen for a medication is presented. Systems in accordance with the present invention automatically monitor the medicine content of a blister card based on the state of its lidding film and compare it to the prescribed dosing regimen for the medicine. In some embodiments, the lidding film is imaged using a tomographic imaging technique, such as electrical resistance tomography or electrical impedance tomography. Alternative sensing approaches are based on optical, acoustic, and tactile sensors that interrogate either the dispensing region at each tablet location or the tablets themselves to determine whether tablets have been dispensed. Automatic monitoring of the blister card enables the user to be: (1) alerted to non-compliance, (2) alerted to a risk of future non-compliance, and/or (3) to be provided remediation instructions when non-compliance is determined.
Methods and systems for determining when a tablet has been removed from a blister pack are presented. A method includes measuring an electrical characteristic, such as electrical resistance or impedance, between at least two terminals that are in electrical communication with a lidding film included in the blister pack, wherein the removal of a tablet from the blister pack results in an opening in the lidding film, thereby giving rise to a finite change in the electrical characteristic. Another method determines the state of the blister pack using electrical resistance tomography or electrical impedance tomography.
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
H05K 7/02 - Arrangements of circuit components or wiring on supporting structure
B65D 75/32 - Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
B65B 57/10 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
18.
Modular medication case for improved regimen compliance
A modular smart packaging case comprising reversibly attachable electronics and detection modules is disclosed. The detection module includes a sensor array for monitoring the state of a blister pack containing a plurality of product units. The electronics module contains the high-value electronics required to read the sensors of the array, process the sensor output, and enable communications to and from the case. The electronics module and detection module are operatively coupled via a universal interface that enables the same electronics module to operate with a plurality of detection modules of different configurations. In some embodiments, the electronics module operatively couples with multiple detection modules.
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
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
19.
Apparatus and method for improved drug regimen compliance
A method and apparatus for monitoring drug-regimen compliance is disclosed. Systems in accordance with the present invention enable automatic monitoring of the state of medicine content of a blister card. Each tablet location on the blister card is operatively coupled with a different sensor that detects whether the tablet location is occupied and/or a dispensing event at a tablet location. In some embodiments, capacitive sensing is employed, where the capacitance of each sensor is based on the physical state of a dispensing region of the lidding film of the blister pack, which is located at the tablet location being monitored. Alternative sensing approaches are based on optical, acoustic, and tactile sensors that interrogate either the dispensing region at each tablet location or the tablets themselves to determine whether tablets have been dispensed. The sensors interface with a mobile app that provides the user instructions to help improve drug-regimen compliance.
The present disclosure enables apparatus and methods for tracking medications and/or product units via smart-packaging concepts. Embodiments include sensors that monitor the state of a blister-card package having an unpatterned lidding film by measuring the impedance of each dispensing region of the lidding film that defines a portion of a blister. In some embodiments, the impedance is measured via a plurality of contact points arranged on opposite sides of each dispensing region, where the contact points are resistively or capacitively coupled with the lidding film. In some embodiments, the impedance map of a measurement region on the blister card is derived via electrical impedance tomography or electrical resistance tomography, where the measurement region includes a plurality of dispensing regions.
G01R 27/08 - Measuring resistance by measuring both voltage and current
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
G01N 27/06 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a liquid
G01N 27/02 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
A method and apparatus for monitoring drug-regimen compliance is disclosed. Systems in accordance with the present invention enable automatic monitoring of the state of medicine content of a blister card. Each tablet location on the blister card is operatively coupled with a different sensor that detects whether the tablet location is occupied and/or a dispensing event at a tablet location. In some embodiments, capacitive sensing is employed, where the capacitance of each sensor is based on the physical state of a dispensing region of the lidding film of the blister pack, which is located at the tablet location being monitored. Alternative sensing approaches are based on optical, acoustic, and tactile sensors that interrogate either the dispensing region at each tablet location or the tablets themselves to determine whether tablets have been dispensed. The sensors interface with a mobile app that provides the user instructions to help improve drug-regimen compliance.
A method and apparatus for monitoring drug-regimen compliance is disclosed. Systems in accordance with the present invention enable automatic monitoring of the state of medicine content of a blister card. Each tablet location on the blister card is operatively coupled with a different sensor that detects whether the tablet location is occupied and/or a dispensing event at a tablet location. In some embodiments, capacitive sensing is employed, where the capacitance of each sensor is based on the physical state of a dispensing region of the lidding film of the blister pack, which is located at the tablet location being monitored. Alternative sensing approaches are based on optical, acoustic, and tactile sensors that interrogate either the dispensing region at each tablet location or the tablets themselves to determine whether tablets have been dispensed. The sensors interface with a mobile app that provides the user instructions to help improve drug-regimen compliance.
A method and apparatus for monitoring drug-regimen compliance is disclosed. Systems in accordance with the present invention enable automatic monitoring of the state of medicine content of a blister card. Each tablet location on the blister card is operatively coupled with a different sensor that detects whether the tablet location is occupied and/or a dispensing event at a tablet location. In some embodiments, capacitive sensing is employed, where the capacitance of each sensor is based on the physical state of a dispensing region of the lidding film of the blister pack, which is located at the tablet location being monitored. Alternative sensing approaches are based on optical, acoustic, and tactile sensors that interrogate either the dispensing region at each tablet location or the tablets themselves to determine whether tablets have been dispensed. The sensors interface with a mobile app that provides the user instructions to help improve drug-regimen compliance.
Methods and apparatus for monitoring the content of a medicine bottle via electrical capacitive tomography (ECT) are presented in which the three-dimensional volume of the medicine bottle, and its content, are imaged by developing a map of its permittivity. The permittivity map is developed by applying a stimulus between two of a plurality of electrodes that are arranged about a chamber of the medicine bottle in which the content is contained, and measuring an electrical response at each of the remaining electrodes of the plurality. By repeating this process for every pair of electrodes within the plurality, a complete permittivity map of the three-dimensional volume is developed. Once the permittivity map is established, the number and type of tablets (or liquid) within the volume is determined.
Methods and apparatus for determining when a tablet has been removed from a blister pack are presented. A method includes measuring an electrical characteristic, such as electrical resistance or impedance, between at least two terminals that are in electrical communication with a lidding film included in the blister pack, wherein the removal of a tablet from the blister pack results in an opening in the lidding film, thereby giving rise to a finite change in the electrical characteristic. Another method determines the state of the blister pack using electrical resistance tomography or electrical impedance tomography.
A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
H05K 7/02 - Arrangements of circuit components or wiring on supporting structure
B65B 57/10 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
B65D 75/32 - Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
