Systems and techniques for monitoring subjects

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for monitoring and/or providing feedback for drugs or other pharmaceuticals taken by a subject. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for determining a species within the skin of a subject; and producing feedback to a subject based on the determination of the species. The feedback may be, for example, visual, audible, tactile, a change in temperature, etc. In some cases, information regarding the determination of the species may be transmitted to another entity, e.g., a health care provider, a computer, a relative, etc., which may then provide feedback to the subject in some fashion. In some cases, the feedback may be directly indicative of the species, e.g., whether the species is present, the concentration of the species, whether a by-product of a reaction involving the species is present, whether a compound affected by the species is present, etc. However, the feedback may also be indirect in some embodiments. For example, the subject may be presented with an external reward, e.g., based on the determination of the species within the skin. For instance, a reward such as cash, coupons, songs, discounts, personal items, etc., may be offered based on the level of compliance of the subject. Still other aspects of the invention are generally directed to kits involving such devices (with or without the drug to be monitored), methods of promoting such systems, or the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a substance transfer component able to receive fluid from a subject;   a sensor able to determine an analyte suspected of being present within the fluid;   a processor able to determine a drug treatment based at least in part on the sensor determination; and   a reservoir for containing a drug deliverable to the subject based on the processor determination.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is deliverable to the subject via the substance transfer component. 
     
     
         3 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A device-implemented method, comprising:
 receiving positional data from a subject in a device;   receiving medical data of the subject in the device; and   producing composite data comprising the medical data and the positional data using the device.   
     
     
         7 . A device-implemented method, comprising:
 determining positional data from a subject in a device;   determining medical data of the subject in the device; and   producing composite data comprising the medical data and the positional data using the device.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the positional data is GPS data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the analyte data is produced using a device applied to the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         10 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A device, comprising:
 a substance transfer component able to receive fluid from a subject;   a sensor able to determine an analyte suspected of being present within the received fluid and configured to receive the received fluid; and   a transmitter responsive to the sensor and able to effect a financial transaction as a function of the determination of the sensor.   
     
     
         15 . A device, comprising:
 a sensor able to determine a species received from a subject; and   an indicator able to indicate an external reward based on the determination of the species.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the external reward comprises a financial reward. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the external reward comprises a change in an insurance premium. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the external reward comprises an increase in time off. 
     
     
         20 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the external reward comprises a health club membership. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the external reward comprises a discount for a prescription cost. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the external reward comprises increased pay. 
     
     
         26 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A device-implemented method, comprising:
 applying a device to a subject, wherein the device is able to obtain an invasive physical measurement from the subject; and   based on obtaining the measurement, delivering a drug to the subject using the device.   
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method, comprising:
 injecting a tracer into a subject using a device comprising a plurality of microneedles; and   tracking movement of the subject by monitoring of the tracer.   
     
     
         36 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A device-implemented method, comprising:
 applying a device to a subject, wherein the device is able to obtain a physical measurement from the subject; and   based on obtaining the measurement, effecting a financial transaction with the device.   
     
     
         39 . The device-implemented method of  claim 38 , wherein the device is configured to send a signal to a receiver which, in turn, processes the financial transaction. 
     
     
         40 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A device-implemented method, comprising:
 applying a device to a subject, wherein the device is able to obtain an invasive physical measurement from the subject; and   based on obtaining the measurement, recommending a medical treatment with the device.   
     
     
         50 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method, comprising:
 determining a species received from a subject using a device fastened to the subject; and   providing an external reward to a person other than the subject based on a concentration of the species.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the person is a medical provider of the subject. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the person is related to the subject. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the person is a caregiver for the subject. 
     
     
         57 . (canceled)