WO2017184055A1

WO2017184055A1 - System, device and computer related method for monitoring usage of medication

Info

Publication number: WO2017184055A1
Application number: PCT/SE2017/050356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Niklas LANDIN; Ulrika LANDIN; Kristoffer VOIGT; Karl Komierowski
Original assignee: Finn Medicinen Scandinavia AB
Current assignee: Finn Medicinen Scandinavia AB
Priority date: 2016-04-18
Filing date: 2017-04-11
Publication date: 2017-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-18
Also published as: EP3445309A1; EP3445309A4

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an electronic device configured to monitor the usage of doses of medication intended to be used in combination with a container unit equipped with a set of compartments, comprising a housing with a cavity for receiving the container unit, an electronic system disposed within the housing, wherein the housing comprises sensor units arranged in the bottom of the housing and being disposed such that each sensor unit will be located directly under a corresponding compartment when the container unit is placed within the housing and configured to detect the presence of a dose of medication within the compartment and further comprising electronic communication circuitry arranged within the housing and configured to collect and process sensor data related to the detected presence from the sensor units and to communicate with at least one external communication device.

Description

System, device and computer related method for monitoring usage of medication

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure pertains to the field of a medication system comprising a container unit in an n x m matrix form equipped with a set of receptacle in which one or more individual doses of medicament are provided. More particularly the disclosure relates to a medication system configured to monitor the usage of medicament present in a specific receptacle.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, doses of medicine to be taken at intervals are provided in container units, so called "Dosette" boxes. It has been customary to use various reminder and/or alarm functions in connection with various container units for doses of medicine. Normally, the doses of medicine are in the form of pills, tablets or corresponding doses to be taken orally.

However, alongside with these container units equipped with reminder and/or alarm functions, container units are commonly used, which are equipped with an openable and closable set of compartments that are arrayed in a matrix form, generally n x m matrix, n being the number of rows and m being the number of columns, wherein each compartment in the set of compartments can be separately for distributing a dose of medicine according to prescription from a doctor. The container unit is typically made of plastic material. The matrix form is typically based on the principle of weekly filling, in other words, the number of columns in the matrix is seven, corresponding to the days of the week, and the number of rows varies typically from four to six. Each row is intended for a dose of medicine to be administrated a given time a day, e.g. morning, daytime and evening.

The above described medication systems may have several different alarms and/or reminders which has to be set or programmed by a doctor or by the user of the system and it can be a hassle for users to handle and updating the monitoring system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above description in mind, then, an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a system, devices and method which seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and to provide a solution wherein the usage of doses of medication is monitored. This is achieved by a system comprising a container unit equipped with a set of compartments, an electronic communication device comprising housing for receiving the container unit in a releasable way and an electronic system disposed within the housing.

The present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. Various advantageous

embodiments of the disclosure are set for the by the appended claims as well as by the following description and accompanying drawings.

An aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic communication device for monitoring usage of dose of medication intended to be used in combination with a container unit equipped with a set of compartments arranged in n x m matrix form. The electronic device comprising a housing comprising a bottom part, a side part and a cavity for receiving the container unit in a releasable way, an electronic system disposed within the housing. The electronic system comprising sensor units arranged in the bottom part of the housing and being disposed such that each sensor unit will be located directly under a corresponding compartment when the container unit is placed within the housing , and configured to detect the presence of a dose of medication within the compartment and electronic communication circuitry arranged within the housing and configured to collect and process sensor data related to the detected presence from the sensor units and to communicate with at least one external communication device. The device monitors the presence of a dose of medication within each compartment and communicates medication usage data defining the usage of the dose of medication by a user of the device to the at least one external communication device.

In one aspect the sensor unit comprising at least one light source configured to light up the compartments and at least one detector configured for detecting reflected light.

In one aspect, the electronic circuitry comprising a microcontroller configured to collect and process the detected presence of the dose of medication from the sensor units. In one aspect, the housing further comprising a cover which is movable related to the housing and designed to cover at least the cavity of the housing.

In one aspect, the cavity has a shape which corresponds to the outer shape of the container unit. In one aspect, the cavity is formed as a hollow space extending from an upper surface of the housing into the interior of the housing and comprising a bottom part and a side part.

In one aspect, the cavity is formed as a hollow cuboid and comprises a bottom and four walls.

In one aspect, the housing comprises an interlocking means for keeping the container unit within the cavity of the housing. In one aspect, at least a part of the side part of the housing is movable related to the housing.

In one aspect, an internal storage is disposed within the housing configured to temporary store the detected presence before communicate the detected presence with an external communication device.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a system for monitoring usage of doses of medication comprising a container unit equipped with a set of compartments arranged in n x m matrix form and an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a housing comprising a bottom part, a side part and a cavity for receiving the container unit in a releasable way and an electronic system disposed within the housing. The electronic system comprises sensor units arranged in the bottom of the housing, where the sensor units being disposed such that each sensor unit will be located directly under a corresponding compartment when the container unit is placed within the housing, and wherein the sensor units are configured to detect the presence of a dose of medication within the compartment and electronic communication circuitry arranged within the housing and configured to collect and process sensor data related to the detected presence from the sensor units and to communicate with at least one external communication device. The system monitors the presence of a dose of medication within each compartment and communicates medication usage data defining the usage of the dose of medication by a user of the system to the at least one external communication device. In one aspect, the container unit is made of a transparent material.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a computer related method for monitoring usage of doses of medication, performed in a system comprising a container unit equipped with a set of compartments arranged in n x m matrix form and an electronic communication device. The electronic communication device comprises a housing comprising a bottom part, a side part and a cavity for receiving the container unit in a releasable way and an electronic system disposed within the housing. The electronic system comprises sensor units arranged in the bottom of the housing the sensor units being disposed such that each sensor unit will be located directly under a corresponding compartment when the container unit is placed within the housing, and configured to detect the presence of a dose of medication within the compartment and an electronic communication circuitry arranged within the housing and configured to collect and process sensor data related to the detected presence from the sensor units and to communicate with at least one external communication device. The method comprises monitoring medication usage data defining the usage of medication by a user of the system, transmitting the monitored usage data to a processing unit for processing the monitored usage data and storing the processed medication usage data.

In one aspect, the housing further comprising a cover which is movable related to the housing and designed to cover at least the cavity of the housing and wherein the method further comprises detecting the position of the cover and starting to monitor the usage of medication if the cover covers at least the cavity of the housing.

The features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined in any combinations.

It is an advantage with some embodiments of the invention that they may allow for getting information about when the medicine dose should be taken by just filling the container of medicine and detect when the dose is removed and/or used. No additional programming of the device is required. The monitoring is passive and only performed when the dose is removed from the compartment. One further advantage is that the electronic communication device is combined with an existing container unit and it is easy to handle and use.

The features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined in any combinations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description of the invention, wherein embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a system for monitoring the usage of medication according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 2a illustrates a device for monitoring the usage of medication according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 2b illustrates a device for monitoring the usage of medication according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates the electronics for monitoring the usage of medication according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a compartment with a dose of medication according to some example embodiments. FIG. 5 illustrates a method for monitoring the usage of medication according to some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference signs refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" "comprising," "includes" and/or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

This invention proposes a system, device and method for monitoring usage of doses of medication. An electronic device comprises a housing designed as a book cover and provided with electronic for monitoring the usage of the doses of medication. The housing is provided with a cavity for receiving a container unit. In one example, the container unit, e.g. a "regular Dosett", is combined with the electronics that can detect whether trays or compartments in the container are full or empty. The information may be stored in a local storage in the device to be synchronized later on to a smartphone or other device via Bluetooth ^® or any other corresponding communication. The container may be of any size or other ergonomic design and the cavity of the housing may be harmonized with the size and shape of the container unit.

Since all electronics and the container are mounted in a book cover it gives a subtle impression and the users do not advertise their medication. The container will be able to be removed from the device and be treated as an ordinary container of medicine at such replenishment. IR diodes and/or light emitting diodes, LEDs, and photo transistors are used to detect whether the compartments are full or empty. Preferably, the container as wells as the bottom of the cavity is made of a transparent material, which is transparent enough to send the light from the diodes as well as detect the reflected light.

Examples of functions that may be performed within the system by using the monitored usage data are:

- An alarm function with sound and/or light when it is time to take the medications. The alarm may be synchronized with a first communication device, i.e. a mobile phone. In one example a notification informing of a missed dose, i.e. a SMS, will also be sent to at least a second communication device. In one example a notification also will be sent to an application, App, installed on at least a second communication device.

- Statistics on drug or dose of medication intact may be provided since information regarding when the trays or compartments are emptied is monitored and logged.

The proposed system, device and method will now be described referring to figures 1-5. A system of an electronic communication device 10, a container unit 30 and at least one external electronic device 50, 60 is illustrated in figure 1.

Figure 2a and 2b show an electronic communication device 10 for monitoring usage of dose of medication 32 intended to be used in combination with a container unit 30 equipped with a set of compartments 31 arranged in n x m matrix form according to some aspects of the disclosure. The figures illustrate an electronic communication device 10 comprising a housing 11 and an electronic system 20. The electronic system is further illustrated in figure 3 and 4.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram depicting example operations which may be taken by medication monitoring system comprising an electronic communication device 10, a container unit 30 and at least one external electronic device 50, 60. All steps performed will be described hereafter in a logical order of the steps and not in the order of which the device performs which steps.

As previously stated, FIG 1 shows a system for monitoring usage of doses of medication 32 according to some aspects of the disclosure. The figure illustrates a system 100 comprising a container unit 30 equipped with a set of compartments 31 arranged in n x m matrix form, an electronic communication device 10 comprising a housing 11 comprising a cavity for receiving the container unit 30 in a releasable way and an electronic system 20 disposed within the housing 11. In one embodiment, the container unit 30 is made of a transparent material.

The electronic communication device 10 comprises a housing 11 and an electronic system 20. The electronic system 20 is disposed within the housing 11 and comprises at least one sensor unit 21 and electronic circuitry 22. According to some aspects, the electronic system 20 may be disposed within the housing 11 in one or several different positions within the housing. The electronic device 10 thus monitors the presence of a dose of medication within each compartment 31 and communicates medication usage data defining the usage of the dose of medication 32 by a user of the device 10 to the at least one external communication device 50, 60. In one embodiment, as shown in figure 2a and 2b, the housing 11 further comprises a top cover lib which is movable related to the housing and designed to cover at least the cavity of the housing 11. Further, the housing comprises a bottom part 11a and at least one side part 11c. In one embodiment, as shown in figure 2a, the housing is designed as a book with a bottom 11a that is quadratic shaped and with four side parts 11c, where each part is connected to each of the sides of the quadratic bottom. In one embodiment, as shown in figure 2b, the bottom part is circular and the housing comprises one side part 11c, which is connected to the edge of the circular bottom. In one embodiment, the cavity has a shape which corresponds to the outer shape of the container unit 30. It is of importance that the cavity is of the same size as the container since the container has to be kept as still as possible. In one embodiment, the cavity is formed as a hollow space extending from an upper surface of the housing into the interior of the housing and comprising a bottom part and a side part. In one embodiment, the cavity for receiving the container unit 30 may be designed or shaped in different ways, such as in a cubic form, as shown in figure 2a, or in a circular form, as shown in figure 2b. In one aspect, the cavity is formed as a hollow cuboid extending from an upper surface of the housing into the interior of the housing and comprising a bottom and four walls. In one aspect, at least a part of one of the walls of the cavity is movable related to the housing. The container may then be able to be pushed in place or removed from the side when at least a part of the wall is moved.

In one embodiment, the housing comprises an interlocking means, not shown, for keeping the container unit 30 within the cavity of the housing 11. The interlocking means may be provided at one or several different positions on the housing, i.e. between the top cover lib and the side part 11c, between the side part 11c or between the top cover lib and the bottom part 11a.

In one embodiment, the at least one sensor unit 21 is arranged in the bottom 11a of the housing 11 and being disposed such that each sensor unit 21 will be located directly under a corresponding compartment 31 of the container unit 30 when the container unit 30 is placed within the cavity of the housing 11. The sensor units 21 are configured to detect the presence of a dose of medication 32, as shown in figure 5, within the compartment 31 and are connected to the electronic circuitry 22.

In one embodiment, as shown in figure 3 and 4, the sensor unit 21 comprises a detector unit 21a which is configured to detect the reflected light 24 and a light source 21b configured to emit light. The reflected light indicates if there is anything, i.e. a dose of medication 32, with in the compartments 31. In one example, not shown, the detector 21a comprises at least one photo transistor 21a. In one example, not shown, the light source 21b comprises at least one diode. The number of diodes and photo transistors depends on the size of the compartment 31. The diodes in question is of the type that emits light, i.e. a light emitting diode, LED. There are several different types of LEDS, which can be used, and they can commonly emit light in the span of infrared light, IR, to Ultra violet light, UV. In one example, the light source is a LED component that emits infrared, IR, light.

In one embodiment, the electronic communication circuitry 22 is arranged within the housing 11 and configured to collect and process sensor data related to the detected presence from the sensor units 21, 21a, 21b and to communicate with at least one external communication device 50, 60. In one embodiment, the electronic circuitry 22 comprises a microcontroller. The electronic circuitry 22 may be disposed at different positions within the housing, i.e. in the side part 11c and/or in the cover lib. The electronic circuitry 22 is configured to collect, organize and process the sensor values from the sensor units 21, 21a, 21b. In one aspect, the electronic circuitry 22 is configured to:

• read all the sensor values

• analyze the sensor values

• stores the data from the sensor analysis

• handle communication with the external communication device 50 i.e. by using Blue

Tooth

transmit or send the stored data to the external communication device 50

keep track of time, i.e. by using a Real Time Clock - RTC

lights up the current compartment 31 with a dose of medicine to be taken In one aspect, the device 10 comprises an internal storage, not shown, disposed within the housing 11 configured to temporary store the detected presence before communicating the detected presence to at least one external communication device 50, 60.

According on embodiment, the method, shown in figure 5, of the medication monitoring system comprises monitoring S20 medication usage data defining the usage of medication by a user of the system 100, transmitting S30 the monitored usage data to a processing unit, not shown, for processing the monitored usage data and storing S40 the processed medication usage data. The processing unit may be provided within the electronic device 10, the communication device 50 or the cloud server 60. In one aspect, the method comprises detecting S10 the position of the top cover lib and starting to monitor S20 the usage of medication if the top cover lib covers at least the cavity of the housing 11.

An example of the disclosed method, as shown in figure 6, may comprise the following steps:

1) An application, App, is launched on an external electronic communication device 50, e.g. a mobile phone, of the user and/or of one or more surveillance users. The App then communicates 70c with a cloud server(s) 60 that the App has been launched.

2) If the user is new, a user profile is created in a user database provided in the external electronic communication device 50 or in the cloud server 60.

3) The medication monitoring system 100 communicates different events, such as when a dose of medication is removed from a compartment of the container, which is relevant to the App.

4) The App starts to log and report the different activities of the user to the one or more external communication devices 50.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. The foregoing has described the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention. However, the invention should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and not as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. The different features of the various embodiments of the invention can be combined in other combinations than those explicitly described. It should therefore be appreciated that variations may be made in those embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An electronic communication device (10) for monitoring usage of dose of medication (32) intended to be used in combination with a container unit (30) equipped with a set of compartments (31) arranged in n x m matrix form, comprising

o a housing (11) comprising a bottom part (11a), a side part (11c) and a cavity for receiving the container unit (30) in a releasable way;

o an electronic system (20) disposed within the housing (11) comprising:

• sensor units (21, 21a, 21b) arranged in the bottom part (11a) of the housing (11) and being disposed such that each sensor unit (21, 21a, 21b) will be located directly under a corresponding compartment (31) when the container unit (30) is placed within the housing (11), and configured to detect the presence of a dose of medication (32) within the compartment (31); and

• electronic communication circuitry (22) arranged within the housing and configured to collect and process sensor data related to the detected presence from the sensor units (21, 21a, 21b) and to communicate with at least one external communication device (50, 60), wherein the device (10) monitors the presence of a dose of medication within each compartment (31) and communicates medication usage data defining the usage of the dose of medication (32) by a user of the device (10) to the at least one external communication device (50, 60).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (21) comprising:

o at least one light source (21b) configured to light up the compartments; and o at least one detector (21a) configured for detecting reflected light.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry (22) comprising:

o a microcontroller (22) is configured to collect and process the detected presence of the dose of medication from the sensor units (21, 21a, 21b).

4. The device according to any of claim 1 to 3, wherein the housing (11) further comprising a cover (11a) which is movable related to the housing and designed to cover at least the cavity of the housing (11).

5. The device according to any of claim 1 to 4, wherein the cavity has a shape which corresponds to the outer shape of the container unit (30).

6. The device according to any of claim 1 to 5, wherein the cavity is formed as a hollow space extending from an upper surface of the housing into the interior of the housing and comprising a bottom part and a side part.

7. The device according to any of claim 5 to 6, wherein the cavity is formed as a hollow cuboid comprising a bottom and four walls.

8. The device according to any of claim 1 to 7, wherein the housing comprises an interlocking means for keeping the container unit (30) within the cavity of the housing (11).

9. The device according to any of claim 1 to 8, wherein at least a part of the side part (11c) of the housing (11) is movable related to the housing.

10. The device according to any of claim 1 to 9, wherein an internal storage is disposed within the housing (11) configured to temporary store the detected presence before communicate the detected presence with an external communication device (50, 60).

11. A system (100) for monitoring usage of doses of medication (32) comprising:

o a container unit (30) equipped with a set of compartments (31) arranged in n x m matrix form; and

o an electronic device (10) comprising:

• a housing (11) comprising a bottom part (11a), a side part (11c) and a cavity for receiving the container unit (30) in a releasable way; and • an electronic system (20) disposed within the housing (11) comprising:

^■ sensor units (21, 21a, 21b) arranged in the bottom (11a) of the housing (11), where the sensor units (21, 21a, 21b) being disposed such that each sensor unit (21, 21a, 21b) will be located directly under a corresponding compartment (31) when the container unit (30) is placed within the housing (11), and wherein the sensor units (21, 21a, 21b) are configured to detect the presence of a dose of medication (32) within the compartment (31); and

^■ electronic communication circuitry (22) arranged within the housing and configured to collect and process sensor data related to the detected presence from the sensor units (21, 21a, 21b) and to communicate with at least one external communication device (50, 60),

wherein the system (100) monitors the presence of a dose of medication within each compartment (31) and communicates medication usage data defining the usage of the dose of medication (32) by a user of the system (100) to the at least one external communication device (50, 60).

The system according to any of the claims 11, wherein the container unit (30) made of a transparent material.

13. A computer related method for monitoring usage of doses of medication, performed in a system (100) comprising: o a container unit (30) equipped with a set of compartments (31) arranged in n x m matrix form; and

o an electronic communication device (10) comprising:

• a housing (11) comprising a bottom part (11a), a side part (11c) and a cavity for receiving the container unit (30) in a releasable way; and

• an electronic system (20) disposed within the housing (11) comprising: ^■ sensor units (21, 21a, 21b) arranged in the bottom (lib) of the housing (11) the sensor units (21) being disposed such that each sensor unit (21, 21a, 21b) will be located directly under a corresponding compartment (31) when the container unit (30) is placed within the housing (11), and configured to detect the presence of a dose of medication (32) within the compartment (31); and

wherein the method comprising:

• monitoring (S20) medication usage data defining the usage of medication by a user of the system;

• transmitting (S30) the monitored usage data to a processing unit for processing the monitored usage data; and

• storing (S40) the processed medication usage data.

14. The computer related method according to claim 13, wherein the housing (11) further comprising a cover (lib) which is movable related to the housing and designed to cover at least the cavity of the housing (11) and wherein the method further comprising:

o detecting (S10) the position of the cover (lib); and

o starting to monitor (S20) the usage of medication if the cover (lib) covers at least the cavity of the housing (11).