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Publication Number
US-10569028-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A drug dispensing-tracking device configured in the form of at least one of a cover, a sleeve, and a cap, and configured to connect with a drug-injection or storage device. The tracking device may comprise at least one or more of: an acoustic sensor, a vibration sensor, an optical sensor, an optical-navigation sensor, and a magnetic sensor, and any combination thereof. At least one sensor may be configured to produce at least one respective signal in response to sensing a vibration, a sound, light, movement, and a magnetic field, respectively, produced by the drug-injection device due to an activity of the drug-injection device.
Core Innovation
A drug tracking device is configured in the form of at least one of a cover, a sleeve, and a cap, and is configured to connect with a drug-injection device. The drug-tracking device includes at least one or more of an acoustic sensor and a vibration sensor and an optical sensor.
The acoustic and/or vibration sensor produces respective signals in response to sensing a vibration or a sound produced by the drug-injection device due to an activity of the drug-injection device. The optical sensor produces at least one respective signal in response to sensing light produced by the drug-injection device due to an activity of the drug-injection device, and the optical sensor detects an optical signal including light of a predetermined wavelength to avoid detection of light from the ambient environment external to the drug-injection device.
The device further includes one or more light sources configured for illuminating a predetermined location on the drug-injection device, and one or more optical devices configured for directing light from the predetermined location to the optical sensor. The device includes a processor having computer instructions for causing the processor to receive, transmit, analyze and/or store information comprising at least a portion of the respective signals.
The device monitors and infers characteristics related to drug selection and administration activity using sensor signals and optical sensing of drug-related features described as scale markings and transparent reservoir portions. Alerts and data transmission are performed using display/speaker/app functionality and wireless transmission to an external unit and/or central database.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identified in the partial content includes six inventive features: a drug-tracking device in the form of a cover, sleeve, or cap; acoustic and vibration sensing; optical sensing of light produced by drug-injection activity; illumination of a predetermined location with optical devices directing light to the optical sensor; predetermined-wavelength detection to avoid ambient detection; and a processor for receiving, transmitting, analyzing, and/or storing sensor information.
Cover, sleeve, or cap connectable to a drug-injection device
A drug tracking device configured in the form of at least one of a cover, a sleeve, and a cap, and configured to connect with a drug-injection device.
Acoustic and vibration sensing producing signals from drug-injection activity
At least one or more of an acoustic sensor and a vibration sensor configured to produce at least one respective signal in response to sensing a vibration or a sound produced by the drug-injection device due to an activity of the drug-injection device.
Optical sensing of light produced by drug-injection activity
An optical sensor configured to produce at least one respective signal in response to sensing light produced by the drug-injection device due to an activity of the drug-injection device.
Illuminating a predetermined location and directing light to the optical sensor
One or more light sources configured for illuminating a predetermined location on the drug-injection device, and one or more optical devices configured for directing light from the predetermined location to the optical sensor.
Predetermined-wavelength optical detection to avoid ambient detection
The optical sensor is configured to detect an optical signal including light of a predetermined wavelength to avoid detection of light from the ambient environment external to the drug-injection device.
Processor receiving, transmitting, analyzing, and/or storing sensor information
A processor having operating thereon computer instructions for causing the processor to perform at least one of: receive, transmit, analyze and/or store information, at least a portion of the information comprising the at least one respective signal.
The claim coverage centers on a connected cover, sleeve, or cap drug-tracking device that combines acoustic/vibration sensing with optical sensing, uses illumination and optical directing optics, constrains optical detection to a predetermined wavelength, and includes a processor for handling sensor information.
Stated Advantages
Avoid detection of light from the ambient environment external to the drug-injection device.
Documented Applications
Tracking and detecting activity of a drug-injection device by monitoring signals produced during drug dispensing/administration, including optical detection related to drug-related features such as scale markings and transparent reservoir portions.
Providing alerts and transmitting injection-related data to an external unit and/or a central database.
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