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 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
G01V 8/20 - Détection, p. ex. en utilisant des barrières de lumière en utilisant plusieurs émetteurs ou récepteurs
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 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
G01V 8/20 - Détection, p. ex. en utilisant des barrières de lumière en utilisant plusieurs émetteurs ou récepteurs
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 - Mesure de la résistance par mesure à la fois de la tension et de l'intensité
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
A61J 7/00 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
A61J 7/04 - Dispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments, p. ex. distributeurs programmés
G01N 27/02 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance
G01N 27/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance
G01N 27/06 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance d'un liquide
G01N 27/07 - Structure des récipients de mesureÉlectrodes pour ces récipients
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation de l'intérieur, p. ex. microscopie acoustique
21 - Ustensiles, récipients, matériaux pour le ménage; verre; porcelaine; faience
Produits et 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 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
A61J 7/04 - Dispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments, p. ex. distributeurs programmés
G16H 20/10 - TIC spécialement adaptées aux thérapies ou aux plans d’amélioration de la santé, p. ex. pour manier les prescriptions, orienter la thérapie ou surveiller l’observance par les patients concernant des médicaments ou des médications, p. ex. pour s’assurer de l’administration correcte aux 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 - Mesure de la résistance par mesure à la fois de la tension et de l'intensité
G01N 27/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
A61J 7/00 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation de l'intérieur, p. ex. microscopie acoustique
A61J 7/04 - Dispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments, p. ex. distributeurs programmés
G01N 27/06 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance d'un liquide
G01N 27/02 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance
G01N 27/07 - Structure des récipients de mesureÉlectrodes pour ces récipients
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 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
G01V 8/20 - Détection, p. ex. en utilisant des barrières de lumière en utilisant plusieurs émetteurs ou récepteurs
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 - Mesure de la résistance par mesure à la fois de la tension et de l'intensité
G01N 27/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
A61J 7/00 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation de l'intérieur, p. ex. microscopie acoustique
A61J 7/04 - Dispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments, p. ex. distributeurs programmés
G01N 27/06 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance d'un liquide
G01N 27/02 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance
G16H 20/10 - TIC spécialement adaptées aux thérapies ou aux plans d’amélioration de la santé, p. ex. pour manier les prescriptions, orienter la thérapie ou surveiller l’observance par les patients concernant des médicaments ou des médications, p. ex. pour s’assurer de l’administration correcte aux patients
G16H 10/60 - TIC spécialement adaptées au maniement ou au traitement des données médicales ou de soins de santé relatives aux patients pour des données spécifiques de patients, p. ex. pour des dossiers électroniques de patients
G16H 70/40 - TIC spécialement adaptées au maniement ou au traitement de références médicales concernant des médicaments, p. ex. leurs effets secondaires ou leur usage prévu
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 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
H05K 7/02 - Dispositions de composants de circuits ou du câblage sur une structure de support
B65D 75/32 - Objets ou matériaux enveloppés entre deux feuilles ou flans opposés à bords réunis, p. ex. par adhésifs à pression, pliage, thermosoudage ou soudage une ou les deux feuilles ou flans étant renfoncés pour épouser la forme du contenu
B65B 57/10 - Dispositifs de commande automatique, de vérification, d'alarme ou de sécurité sensibles à l'absence, à la présence, à l'alimentation anormale ou au mauvais positionnement des objets ou matériaux à emballer
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 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
A61J 7/04 - Dispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments, p. ex. distributeurs programmés
G16H 20/10 - TIC spécialement adaptées aux thérapies ou aux plans d’amélioration de la santé, p. ex. pour manier les prescriptions, orienter la thérapie ou surveiller l’observance par les patients concernant des médicaments ou des médications, p. ex. pour s’assurer de l’administration correcte aux 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 - Mesure de la résistance par mesure à la fois de la tension et de l'intensité
G01N 27/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance
A61J 1/03 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
A61J 7/00 - Dispositifs pour administrer les médicaments par voie buccale, p. ex. cuillèresDispositifs pour compter les pilulesDispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation de l'intérieur, p. ex. microscopie acoustique
A61J 7/04 - Dispositions pour l'indication ou le rappel du moment où l'on doit prendre des médicaments, p. ex. distributeurs programmés
G01N 27/06 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance en recherchant la résistance d'un liquide
G01N 27/02 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant l'impédance
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 - Récipients spécialement adaptés à des fins médicales ou pharmaceutiques pour pilules ou comprimés
H05K 7/02 - Dispositions de composants de circuits ou du câblage sur une structure de support
B65B 57/10 - Dispositifs de commande automatique, de vérification, d'alarme ou de sécurité sensibles à l'absence, à la présence, à l'alimentation anormale ou au mauvais positionnement des objets ou matériaux à emballer
B65D 75/32 - Objets ou matériaux enveloppés entre deux feuilles ou flans opposés à bords réunis, p. ex. par adhésifs à pression, pliage, thermosoudage ou soudage une ou les deux feuilles ou flans étant renfoncés pour épouser la forme du contenu