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Publication Number
US-11833333-B2
Publication Date
2023-12-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A drug tracking device used in combination with a drug injection device. The drug tracking device may comprise a housing configured to engage with the drug injection device, an optical sensor configured to capture an image of a portion of the drug injection device. The portion of the drug injection device displays indicia of drug doses, such that a captured image includes at least one indicia of a drug dose. The drug tracking device may include a memory module having pre-stored indicia of drug doses, and a processor having instructions operating thereon configured to cause the processor to determine an injected drug dose by comparing at least one indicia of the drug dose in the captured image with the pre-stored indicia of drug doses.
Core Innovation
A drug tracking device is used in combination with a drug injection device configured to display indicia of drug doses. The injection device displays at least a portion of one or more numbers from a range running from a minimal to a maximum number of drug units, corresponding to the volume of deliverable dose units contained in the injection device. The drug tracking device includes a housing configured to engage with the drug injection device and an optical sensor configured to capture an image of a portion of the drug injection device displaying the indicia of drug doses.
The drug tracking device uses a memory module having pre-stored statistical values corresponding to a spatial distribution of black or white pixels corresponding to a number. A processor identifies an injected drug dose via image classification, in which the classification includes identifying whether the portion of one or more numbers belongs to a subgroup of the range. The subgroup comprises at least odd or even numbers and single or double digit numbers, and the processor determines a first statistical value from the captured image and compares it to a pre-stored second statistical value selected from the subgroup.
Image classification is performed using statistical values corresponding to spatial distributions of black or white pixels, including spatial distribution representations and subgroup selections defined by odd/even and single-/double-digit categories. The approach is described as distinguishing dosing events and verifying proper tracking, including alignment verification by comparing captured image(s) with pre-stored calibration images and handling scenarios such as setting versus injection and inadvertent or partial dosing. Additional sensing modalities are also described, including auditory and vibration signals used together with other event logic and indicators, and the document further characterizes deployment as applicable to insulin and related drugs.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: one directed to a drug tracking device and the other directed to a method for determining an injected drug dose. Across the two independent claims, the inventive features are built around optical capture of dose indicia and image classification using pre-stored pixel-based statistical values selected by odd/even and single-/double-digit subgroups.
Drug tracking device engaged with injection device for optical dose indicia imaging
A drug tracking device configured to engage with the drug injection device and include an optical sensor configured to capture an image of a portion of the drug injection device displaying indicia of drug doses including at least one or more numbers.
Pre-stored pixel spatial distribution statistics for dose-number identification
A memory module having pre-stored statistical values corresponding to a spatial distribution of black or white pixels corresponding to a number displayed in the indicia.
Image classification using subgrouping by odd/even and single-/double-digit and pixel-statistical comparison
A processor with instructions to identify an injected drug dose via image classification that identifies whether the portion of one or more numbers belongs to a subgroup comprising odd or even numbers and single or double digit numbers; determines a first statistical value corresponding to a spatial distribution of black or white pixels on the captured image; and compares the first statistical value to a second statistical value comprising the pre-stored statistical value selected from the subgroup.
Method for determining injected drug dose via captured indicia image classification
A method comprising capturing an image of a portion of the drug injection device displaying indicia of drug doses including at least one or more numbers; identifying the injected drug dose via image classification; determining a first statistical value corresponding to a spatial distribution of black or white pixels; and comparing it to a pre-stored second statistical value corresponding to the number, where the pre-stored second statistical value is selected from a subgroup comprising odd or even numbers and single or double digit numbers.
Both independent claims rely on image classification of dose indicia numbers using pre-stored statistical values based on spatial distributions of black or white pixels, with selection of the compared pre-stored value constrained by subgrouping into odd/even and single-/double-digit categories.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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