Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WIRELESSLY PROGRAMMING A
PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE CAP
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This field relates to caps and data transfer.
Background Art
[0002] Poor adherence to medication is a large problem in the United States
and around
the world. Patients reminded to take medications have an overall higher
adherence rare
than control groups.
[0003] However, current adherence systems require complicated programming,
have a
high cost, and/or are non-portable. Further, current adherence systems do not
effectively
enable support from a health care provider, such as a doctor or pharmacist
Additionally,
few current adherence systems are marketed and sold as part of the original
packaging for
medication.
100041 What is needed are inexpensive, efficient systems and methods to
assist patients in
adherence to prescribed medication.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100051 This section is for the purpose of summarizing some aspects of the
present
invention and to briefly introduce some embodiments. Simplifications or
omissions may
be made to avoid obscuring the purpose of the section. Such simplifications or
omissions
are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
10006] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for
wirelessly
programming a prescription bottle cap. In an embodiment, the system includes a
base
station comprising an inductor and processor configured to receive
prescription dosage
instructions and instruct the inductor to alter a magnetic field in a manner
representative
of the prescription dosage instructions. In an embodiment, the system further
includes a
wirelessly programmable cap comprising a sensor configured to detect the
magnetic field
and to generate the prescription dosage information based on the magnetic
field. A
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control unit is configured to instruct the wirelessly programmable cap to send
an alert at a
time designated by the prescription dosage information.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a non-transitory
computer-
readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a
computing
device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising: receiving
information about a prescription, wherein the receiving information receives
scanned
information from a prescription label; obtaining an identifier for the
received prescription
information; sending, using the identifier, a request to a prescription
database storing a
plurality of prescriptions for a prescription message corresponding to the
identifier,
wherein the prescription message comprises a SIG code and a free text portion;
receiving
the prescription message; parsing dosage timing information from the
prescription
message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the prescription
message;
obtaining a translation of the SIG code into a language; concatenating the
translated SIG
code with the free text portion to produce prescription timing information;
initiating
wireless transfer of the parsed information and the prescription timing
information to a
prescription container cap; and prior to initiating the wireless transfer of
the prescription
timing information, waiting for a pharmacist to verify the prescription timing
information.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a non-transitory
computer-
readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a
computing
device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising: receiving
information about a prescription, wherein the receiving information receives
scanned
information from a prescription label; obtaining an identifier for the
received prescription
information; sending, using the identifier, a request to a prescription
database storing a
plurality of prescriptions for a prescription message corresponding to the
identifier,
wherein the prescription message comprises a SIG code and a free text portion;
receiving
the prescription message; parsing dosage timing information from the
prescription
message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the prescription
message;
obtaining a translation of the SIG code into a language; concatenating the
translated SIG
code with the free text portion to produce prescription timing information;
initiating
wireless transfer of the parsed information to a prescription container cap,
wherein the
initiating initiates wireless transfer of the prescription timing information
to the
prescription container cap; and displaying a first message on a first display,
wherein the
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first message and a second message displayed on a second display on the
prescription
container cap match if the prescription container cap was successfully
programmed with
the prescription timing information.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a non-transitory
computer-
readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a
computing
device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising: receiving
information about a prescription, wherein the receiving information receives
scanned
information from a prescription label; obtaining an identifier for the
received prescription
information; sending, using the identifier, a request to a prescription
database storing a
plurality of prescriptions for a prescription message corresponding to the
identifier,
wherein the prescription message comprises a SIG code and a free text portion;
receiving
the prescription message; parsing dosage timing information from the
prescription
message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the prescription
message;
obtaining a translation of the SIG code into a language; concatenating the
translated SIG
code with the free text portion to produce prescription timing information;
identifying a
string in the prescription timing information using pattern matching; and
initiating
wireless transfer of the parsed information to a prescription container cap,
wherein the
initiating initiates wireless transfer of the prescription timing information
to the
prescription container cap to configure the prescription container cap to set
an alert at a
time designated by the string.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus
comprising: a
processor; a memory storing instructions, execution of which causes the
processor to
perform operations comprising: receiving information about a prescription,
wherein the
receiving information receives scanned information from a prescription label,
extracting
an identifier from the information, sending, using the identifier, a request
to a prescription
database storing a plurality of prescriptions for a prescription message
corresponding to
the identifier, wherein the prescription message comprises a SIG code and a
free text
portion, receiving the prescription message, parsing timing information from
the
prescription message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the
prescription
message, obtaining a translation of the SIG code into a language,
concatenating the
translated SIG code with the free text portion to produce prescription timing
information,
and initiating wireless transmission of the parsed information and the
prescription timing
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2b
information to a prescription container cap, and, prior to initiating the
wireless
transmission, waiting for a pharmacist to verify the prescription timing
information; and a
transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the parsed information and the
prescription
timing information to the prescription container cap.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus
comprising: a
processor; a memory storing instructions, execution of which causes the
processor to
perform operations comprising: receiving information about a prescription,
wherein the
receiving information receives scanned information from a prescription label,
extracting
an identifier from the information, sending, using the identifier, a request
to a prescription
database storing a plurality of prescriptions for a prescription message
corresponding to
the identifier, wherein the prescription message comprises a SIG code and a
free text
portion, receiving the prescription message, parsing timing information from
the
prescription message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the
prescription
message, obtaining a translation of the SIG code into a language,
concatenating the
translated SIG code with the free text portion to produce prescription timing
information,
initiating wireless transmission of the parsed information and the
prescription timing
information to a prescription container cap, and displaying a first message on
a display;
and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the parsed information and
the
prescription timing information to the prescription container cap, wherein the
first
message and a second message displayed on the prescription container cap match
if the
prescription container cap was successfully programmed with the prescription
timing
information.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus
comprising: a
processor; a memory storing instructions, execution of which causes the
processor to
perform operations comprising: receiving information about a prescription,
wherein the
receiving information receives scanned information from a prescription label,
extracting
an identifier from the information, sending, using the identifier, a request
to a prescription
database storing a plurality of prescriptions for a prescription message
corresponding to
the identifier, wherein the prescription message comprises a SIG code and a
free text
portion, receiving the prescription message, parsing timing information from
the
prescription message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the
prescription
message, obtaining a translation of the SIG code into a language,
concatenating the
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2c
translated SIG code with the free text portion to produce prescription timing
information,
identifying a string in the prescription timing information using pattern
matching, and
initiating wireless transmission of the parsed information and the
prescription timing
information to a prescription container cap to configure the prescription
container cap to
set an alert at a time designated by the string; and a transmitter configured
to wirelessly
transmit the parsed information and the prescription timing information to the
prescription container cap.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method comprising:
receiving, using a processor, information about a prescription, wherein the
receiving
information receives scanned information from a prescription label;
extracting, using the
processor, an identifier from the information; sending, using the processor,
using the
identifier, a request to a prescription database storing a plurality of
prescriptions for a
prescription message corresponding to the identifier, wherein the prescription
message
comprises a SIG code and a free text portion; receiving, using the processor,
the
prescription message; parsing, using the processor, timing information from
the
prescription message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the
prescription
message; obtaining, using the processor, a translation of the SIG code into a
language;
concatenating, using the processor, the translated SIG code with the free text
portion to
produce prescription timing information; initiating, using the processor, a
wireless
transfer of the parsed information and the prescription timing information to
a cap
configured for a container that can hold medicine according to a prescription;
and prior to
initiating the wireless transfer of the prescription timing information,
waiting for a
pharmacist to verify the prescription timing information.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method comprising:
receiving, using a processor, information about a prescription, wherein the
receiving
information receives scanned information from a prescription label;
extracting, using the
processor, an identifier from the information; sending, using the processor,
using the
identifier, a request to a prescription database storing a plurality of
prescriptions for a
prescription message corresponding to the identifier, wherein the prescription
message
comprises a SIG code and a free text portion; receiving, using the processor,
the
prescription message; parsing, using the processor, timing information from
the
prescription message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the
prescription
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-02-10
2d
message; obtaining, using the processor, a translation of the SIG code into a
language;
concatenating, using the processor, the translated SIG code with the free text
portion to
produce prescription timing information; initiating, using the processor, a
wireless
transfer of the parsed information and the prescription timing information to
a cap
configured for a container that can hold medicine according to a prescription;
and
displaying a first message on a first display, wherein the first message and a
second
message displayed on a second display on the cap match if the cap was
successfully
programmed with the prescription timing information.
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method comprising:
receiving, using a processor, information about a prescription, wherein the
receiving
information receives scanned information from a prescription label;
extracting, using the
processor, an identifier from the information; sending, using the processor,
using the
identifier, a request to a prescription database storing a plurality of
prescriptions for a
prescription message corresponding to the identifier, wherein the prescription
message
comprises a SIG code and a free text portion; receiving, using the processor,
the
prescription message; parsing, using the processor, timing information from
the
prescription message, wherein the parsing parses the SIG code from the
prescription
message; obtaining, using the processor, a translation of the SIG code into a
language;
concatenating, using the processor, the translated SIG code with the free text
portion to
produce prescription timing information; identifying, using the processor, a
string in the
prescription timing information using pattern matching; and initiating, using
the
processor, a wireless transfer of the parsed information and the prescription
timing
information to a cap configured for a container that can hold medicine
according to a
prescription to configure the cap to set an alert at a time designated by the
string.
[0007] Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the
structure and
operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in
detail below
with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is
not limited
to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented
herein
for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to
persons
skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-02-10
2e
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of the
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the
general
description given above and the detailed descriptions of embodiments given
below, serve
to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment
of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of programming a cap in accordance
with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary method of parsing prescription
information for a
programmable cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of bit sequences used for programming
a cap in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a system incorporating a Hall Effect
sensor in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7A shows different perspectives of a wirelessly
programmable cap in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7B shows a top view of a wirelessly programmable cap in
accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Features and advantages of the present invention will become
more apparent from
the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in
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which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In
the
drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally
similar, and/or
structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears
is indicated
by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. Overview
[0018] The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)
stated in a
2007 report that "poor adherence with medication regimens has reached crisis
proportions
in the United States and around the world." The World Health Organization
(WHO)
projects that 50 percent of patients take their medications as prescribed.
Medication non-
adherence leads to unnecessary disease progression and complications, reduced
functional
abilities, a lower quality of life, and premature death.
[0019] Reasons for poor medication adherence include forgetfulness, lack of
access to
medication, problems with medication, poor understanding of the dosing
instructions
and/or the need for adherence. High adherence is generally associated with
better
treatment outcomes and lower healthcare costs. A general correlation exists
between
treatment response and adherence to the dose and schedule of a therapy.
However, few
adherence intervention strategies have proven simple and affordable enough to
be both
effective and sustainable over the long term.
100201 Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an inexpensive,
disposable,
wirelessly programmable cap for pharmaceuticals. In an embodiment, the cap is
configured to remind a patient when medication is due to be taken (using, for
example, a
visual or audio reminder). The cap records patient dosing history when the cap
is open
and transmits the dosing history to the Internet or a local program to capture
dosing
information to be later shared with the pharmacy, physicians, insurance
company, and/or
caregivers. The cap is advantageously wirelessly programmable from a pharmacy
database system (using, for example, pharmacy records containing doctor
prescribed
dosing information) for each prescription and thus requires no manual
programming by a
pharmacist.
[0021] Additionally, systems in accordance with the present invention may
communicate
a reminder to a PDA or phone to send a text message to a patient to remind the
patient
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when medication is due to be taken. Embodiments of the present invention are
small and
easily portable and adaptable to standard prescription vials and mail order
bottles.
Further, embodiments of the cap are designed to be adaptable to incorporate
safety cap
features.
2. Embodiments
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 100 at a pharmacy 102 in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a pharmacist 104 enters
prescription
information into a computer 106 and begins to fill a prescription. Pharmacist
104 scans
the barcode from a prescription label, and a prescription ID is sent to
computer 106.
Software running on computer 106 accesses a database of prescription
information,
including SIG codes, associated with the identifier. In an embodiment, the
software
decodes the SIG codes into standard English (for example, "2x/day" may be
decoded to
"two times per day").
[0023] Pharmacist 104 then uses a base station accessible by computer
106 to program a
wirelessly programmable cap 110. For example, pharmacist 104 may program cap
110
by placing it on or near base station 108. The translated prescription
information is then
transmitted from computer 106 to base station 108 (for example, through a
Universal
Serial Bus (USB) cable) to program cap 110.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a system 200 in accordance with
an embodiment
of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a database 202 stores pharmacy records
including
doctor prescribed dosing information. Database 202 is accessible via a
computer 204. A
base station 206 is connected to (or in wireless communication with) computer
204. In an
embodiment, base station 206 is connected to computer 204 using a USB cable,
which
may also be used to power base station 206. Base station 206 is configured to
transmit
information to and receive information from a wirelessly programmable cap 208.
[0025] In an embodiment, base station 206 includes a microcontroller
unit (MCU) 210,
such as the MSP430F435 microcontroller, that communicates with the computer
204. In
an embodiment, MCU 204 includes a processor, memory, clock, and I/O control
unit. In
an embodiment, the clock is a 32.768 kHz crystal, and 14pF - 18pF capacitors
are used to
stabilize the crystal. MCU 210 controls communication between cap 208 and
computer
204 via base station 206. Base station 206 includes an inductor 212 configured
to receive
data from MCU 210. Inductor 212 generates a magnetic field to be detected by a
Hall
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Effect sensor 214 in cap 208. In an embodiment, an H-Bridge circuit governs
the signal
sent to inductor 212. It should be understood that while an exemplary
embodiment of the
present invention is directed to sending prescription dosage information to a
wirelessly
programmable cap using inductor 212, inductor 212 may be used to send any
information
to a receiver device over a short range communications link in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
100261 In an embodiment, base station 206 also includes one ore more Light-
emitting
Diode(s) (LEDs) indicating that base station 206 is powered, one or more
Liquid Crystal
Display(s) (LCD) for displaying the state of the base station, a checksum for
verification,
and/or other base station information, and/or one or more speaker(s) providing
an audible
tone indicating completion of programming. However, it should be understood
that
LED(s), LCD(s), and speaker(s) arc optional elements. For example, a base
station for
use in a pharmacy may include these elements, while a base station configured
for home
use may omit one or more of the above elements for further cost savings.
[0027] In an embodiment, both base station 206 and cap 208 include
transponders (216
and 218) that control the wireless interface between cap 208 and base station
206. For
example, transponders 216 and 218 may be implemented to enable communication
from
cap 208 to base station 206. In an embodiment, transponders 216 and 218 are
Passive
Low Frequency Interface Devices (PaLFi devices). In an embodiment, transponder
216 is
used to program cap 208 with appropriate dosage interval information via loop
antenna
220, and transponder 218 is used to relay compliance data back to base station
206 via
chip antenna 222.
[0028] Information from transponder 218 and Hall Effect sensor 214 is
relayed to an
MCU 224 in cap 208. MCU 224 controls the cap timer, monitors opening and
closing of
the cap, and facilitates wireless communication of the cap with base station
206. Hall
Effect sensor 214 is used to program cap 208 with appropriate dosage interval
information. In an embodiment, cap 208 further includes a sensor 226 to detect
when cap
208 is opened or closed. For example, in an embodiment, a switching mechanism
is used
to signal software running on cap 208 to record the current time and date. In
an
embodiment, the switching mechanism also resets the reminder system to arrange
for the
next dosage alert.
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100291 In an embodiment, MCU 224 outputs information to one or more LED(s)
228,
speaker(s) 230, and/or LCD(s) 232. LED(s) 228 provide a visible alert when a
dose is
scheduled to be taken. In an embodiment, LED(s) 228 are integrated into LCD
232.
LCD 232 displays the time until the next dose is scheduled to be taken and/or
the time
elapsed since the last dose was taken. Speaker(s) 230 provide an audible alert
when a
dose should be taken. For example, in an embodiment, an alarm system is
activated when
a dose is scheduled to be taken, and a piezoelectric buzzer and LED reminds
the patient
that it is time to take medication. In an embodiment, a battery (for example,
a super
capacitor) powers cap 208.
2.1 Prescription Dosage System
[0030] FIG 3 depicts a flowchart 300 of programming a cap in accordance
with an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 will now be explained with
reference to
FIG. 2. In step 302, software running on computer 204 and/or base station 206
awaits
user input. A prescription bottle is placed into (or near) base station 206.
Base station
206 scans an identifier from the bottle (Dispense ID), which is sent to
database 202 in
step 304. Using the identifier, database 202 retrieves associated code(s) to
write on the
prescription label ("SIG codes") and any associated prescription text and
returns this
information to computer 204.
[0031] In step 306, software running on computer 204 and/or base station
206 parses the
text (using, for example, a pattern based free text _parser), which extracts
timing
information associated with the prescription.
[0032] In an embodiment, the software awaits verification of the timing
data, as shown in
step 308, by a user (e.g., a pharmacist). However, it should be noted that
step 308 is
optional. in step 310, the software running on computer 204 and/or base
station 206
assembles the parsed information into a byte array and wirelessly transmits
the
information to cap 208. Advantageously, in an embodiment, this transfer is
accomplished
without the use of expensive equipment (such as Bluetooth) but rather uses an
inexpensive transfer solution, such as a Hall Effect sensor. Exemplary
embodiments of
Hall Effect sensors are discussed in more detail later in this application.
100331 FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary method of parsing proscription
information for a
programmable cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
step
402 of FIG. 4, a prescription ID is received by a program when a prescription
label is
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scanned. In step 404, a server is queried with the prescription ID, and the
server returns
SIG codes and associated free text. For example, the server may return "QD
with Water"
when the prescription ID "568122" is sent to the server as a query. In this
example, the
SIG code is "QD" and the associated text is "with Water." In an embodiment,
SIG codes
and free text are each stored in separate locations on the server, and the SIG
codes and
associated free text are returned separately. In another embodiment, SIG codes
and free
text are returned simultaneously, but SIG code information is labeled (or
otherwise
denoted) as SIG code information, and free text information is labeled (or
otherwise
denoted) as free text information. In another embodiment, SIG code information
and free
text information is returned simultaneously without any labeling or denotation
of the
information returned.
[0034] In step 406, the server is queried again to obtain a standard
English translation for
any SIG codes that were returned. For example, in an embodiment, the
information
returned in step 406 (SIG codes and associated clear text) is parsed using a
SIG code
recognition module, which identifies any SIG codes returned in the information
by
comparing the information against a list of known SIG codes. In an embodiment
where
SIG codes and free text are returned separately, the server is queried for
each recognized
SIG code to obtain the standard English translation, and the prescription
information is
concatenated when the SIG codes are translated. For example, the SIG code "QD"
may
be translated to "Take once daily." In step 408, a printed string is compiled
by
concatenating the translated SIG codes with the associated text. For example,
the
translated SIG code "Take once daily" is concatenated with the associated text
"with
Water" to form "Take once daily with Water."
[0035] In step 410, the printed string is passed to a parser to identify
information used to
program the cap. In an embodiment, the parser uses pattern matching to locate
useful
information. For example, the parser identifies the string "Take once daily"
and uses it to
configure the cap timer to set an alert for each 24 hours that elapses between
doses. For
example, the timer may be set to an initial value of "0" and the timing
interval may be set
for "24 hours." In step 412, a bit sequence is sent to the cap to program the
cap.
[0036] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart 500 of bit sequences used for programming
a cap in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 will now be
explained
with reference to FIG. 2. In step 502, a handshake signal is sent from base
station 206 to
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cap 208. In an embodiment, the handshake signal is a predetermined 16 bit
sequence (for
example, the bit sequence "FE01" 504). In step 506, information about the date
of a
scheduled dosage is sent to cap 208. In an embodiment, the data information is
sent in a
16 bit message (for example, a number bits may be allocated 508 to the day,
month, and
year of the date). In step 510, information about the time of a scheduled
first dosage is
sent to cap 208. In an embodiment, the time information is sent in a 16 bit
message
(representing, for example, minutes of the day 512 to elapse before a dose is
scheduled to
be taken).
100371 In step 514, an indicator message is sent to the cap containing
information
regarding whether the prescription should be taken at a specific time of day
(for example,
1:44pm) or at a regular interval (for example, every 8 hours). In an
embodiment, a "0" bit
may indicate that the prescription should be taken at a specific time, and a
"1" bit may be
used to indicate that the prescription should be taken at a regular interval.
If the
prescription is to be taken at a regular interval, the dosage interval is sent
to cap 208 in
step 516. in an embodiment, the dosage interval is sent using an g bit
sequence.
specifying the interval in hours (0-96). For example, a "00001000" bit
sequence indicates
that the prescription should be taken every 8 hours. Alternatively, if the
prescription is to
be taken at specific time(s), one or more messages indicating the time(s) the
prescription
should be taken is sent to the cap 208 in step 520. In an embodiment, base
station 206
continues to transmit 16 bit sequences to cap 208 until all dosage times have
been sent
(the time for the initial dose has already been sent in step 510). In an
embodiment, each
time sequence represents a minute of the day (from 0-1440, as there are 60
minutes in an
hour, 24 hours in a day, and thus 1440 total minutes in a day). In step 522, a
stop
message is sent to cap 208. In an embodiment, the stop message is a
predetermined 16 bit
sequence (for example, a 16 bit sequence representing "FE01" 524.)
100381 An exemplary bit sequence is shown in element 526 for programming
cap 208 for
dosages every 8 hours, starting at 1:44pm, on June 21, 2010. Exemplary bit
sequence 526
includes a handshake, a date sequence, a start time sequence, an interval
indicator, an
interval sequence, and a stop sequence.
2.2 Hall Effect Data Transfer
[00391 FIG. 6 is a diagram of a system 600 for detecting a change in a
magnetic field 602
via a Hall Effect sensor 604 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
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In an embodiment, Hall Effect sensor 604 is implemented as a transducer that
varies its
output voltage based on a change in magnetic field 602 generated by inductor
212 in base
station 208.
[0040] In an embodiment, Hall Effect sensor 604 is powered using a battery
606 on the
cap, and the voltage is input to pin 1 of the Hall Effect sensor 610. In an
embodiment, pin
2 is grounded 612. In an embodiment, a capacitor 614 and a resistor 616 are
included in
the circuit design. It should be noted that while capacitor 614 is given a
value of 0.1uF
and resistor 616 is given a value of lkn, these values are exemplary only.
[00411 In an embodiment, Hall Effect sensor 604 detects magnetic field 602
generated by
inductor 212 via a pin 608. Hall Effect sensor 604 generates a "0" bit or a
"1" bit
depending on the direction of the detected magnetic field (e.g., "high" or
"low"). This
generated bit is then sent to the MCU's 224 Universal Asynchronous
Receiver/Transmitter (UART) receive pin for decoding. In an embodiment, the
UART
controls the timing of decoding incoming bits. Each bit is maintained on the
bus for a
certain period of time, controlled by the UART. Proper synchronization of data
transmission and reception ensures that the transmitter and receiver are
transmitting and
receiving data at the same rate. For example, if the data stream "111" is
transmitted, the
UART ensures that the received data stream is interpreted as "111" and not
"11" or
"1111." In an embodiment, a checksum is also used to confirm accurate
transmission of
data.
[0042] It should be understood that while an exemplary embodiment of the
present
invention is directed to receiving and decoding prescription dosage
information at a
wirelessly programmable cap using Hall Effect sensor 604, Hall Effect sensor
604 may be
used to receive and decode any type of information in accordance with
embodiments of
the present invention.
[0043] By using a Hall Effect sensor instead of a more expensive wireless
data transfer
system like Bluetooth, data is advantageously wirelessly transmitted from base
station
206 to cap 208 while avoiding a high cost for equipment.
2.3 Programmable Cap
100441 FIG. 7A shows different perspectives of a wirelessly programmable
cap in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
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[0045] FIG. 7B shows a top view of a wirelessly programmable cap in
accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7B, a dosage timer 7B02 is
displayed on
the cap.
3. Example
[0046] An example of the operation of a system in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention will now be discussed. A patient comes into the pharmacy
with a
prescription that needs to be filled. The pharmacist engages in his or her
normal workflow
entering the prescription into the computer and beginning to fill the order.
However,
instead of grabbing a normal safety cap when closing the bottle, the
pharmacist grabs a
wirelessly programmable cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
The wirelessly programmable cap is placed on the prescription bottle
[0047] The pharmacist walks over to the programming station and scans the
barcode on
the label. In an embodiment, the software might prompt the pharmacist to
verify the
timing information being sent to the cap. If the system does prompt the
pharmacist, he or
she confirms the settings and then waves the cap through the programming
space. This
space is either under or near the base station. In an embodiment, a checksum
is displayed
on the screen and on the cap, and the pharmacist verifies these two numbers
against each
other. If the numbers match, then the cap was programmed successfully
according to
dosage information provided by the physician. There are no additional steps
for the
pharmacist to take other than to dispense the filled prescription as normal.
[0048] The patient picks up his or her prescription from the pharmacy. In
an
embodiment, the cap is in 1 of 3 performance modes: (1) Interval Dosage Mode;
(2)
Specifically Timed Dosage Mode; or (3) Stopwatch Mode. For example, in an
Interval
Dosage Mode set for every 6 hours, the cap awaits the patient to take his or
her first dose.
After the patient has taken the first dose, the display on the cap begins
counting down
from 6 hours. This shows the patient how long until the next dose is
scheduled. When
the time for the next dose arrives, the speaker and/or the LED on the cap
begin pulse on
and off (i.e., for 30 seconds) to alert the patient to take medication. If the
patient fails to
open the cap within the first 30 seconds, the cap goes silent. The cap will
flash and beep
for 3 seconds every minute to continue to alert the patient that medication is
due. If at
any time the patient opens the cap, the alerts will stop, and the timer will
be reset to alert
the patient in another 6 hours.
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[0049] In an cap set for Specifically Timed Dosage Mode (e.g., "Take with
breakfast and
with dinner"), the cap will alert the patient when a programmed time occurs.
For
example, assuming that the patient filled the prescription around noon, the
cap would
remain in countdown mode showing the time until the next dose scheduled to be
taken at
dinnertime. When the time for the next dose arrives, the speaker and/or the
LED on the
cap pulse on and off to alert the patient to take medication. If the patient
fails to open the
cap within the first 30 seconds, the cap goes silent. The cap will flash and
beep for 3
seconds every minute for 1/3 the time between the current dose and the next
dosage time
to continue to alert the patient that medication is due to be taken. If at any
time the
patient opens the cap, the alerts will stop, and the timer will be reset to
alert the patient
when the next dose is due.
[0050] In a cap set for Stopwatch Mode (e.g., "Take As Directed"), the Cap
does not
notify the patient of when to take the next dose. Rather, it simply shows the
patient how
long it has been since the last dose was taken. The patient takes medication
as prescribed
for the remainder of the prescription period If the patient runs out of
medication, the
patient (or pharmacist) may place the cap in a base station, located at either
the patient's
home or at the pharmacy, and the data may be uploaded from the cap to an
intemet server
that allows relevant medical professionals to see the patient's compliance
data. The cap
may then be removed from the bottle to prevent additional warnings and can
either be
disposed of or recycled by returning it to the pharmacist.
4. Conclusion
[0051] The above systems and methods may be implemented as a computer
program
executing on a machine, as a computer program product, or as a tangible and/or
non-
transitory computer-readable medium having stored instructions.
[00521 While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and
not
limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that
various changes in
form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the
invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be
limited by
any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only
in
accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
