Compliance monitoring and refills for inhalers

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for monitoring a patient's compliance with an inhaler treatment regimen and assisting in prescription refills. The device may monitor an inhaler's motion to determine whether the motion is characteristic of typical inhaler use. Additionally, the device may monitor a temperature of the inhaler or in proximity to the mouthpiece to determine whether a patient has used the inhaler. The devices and methods may incorporate a smart phone application that provides notifications and alerts to aid in compliance with the medication regimen, as well as facilitating prescription refills.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monitor system for detecting usage of an inhaler to facilitate prescription refills, the monitor system comprising:
 a housing configured to be removably connectable to an inhaler that is configured to periodically deliver inhalable medication to a user;   a controller located within the housing;   an inhaler communication interface within the housing in electronic communication with the controller and configured to send and receive data;   a memory and a battery in electrical communication with the controller and contained within the housing;   at least two sensors in electrical communication with the controller that output data indicative of periodic physical occurrences at the housing, the sensors configured to report data from and timing of the physical occurrences for transmission to a remote processor to offload processing requirements from any components in the housing;   a mobile personal computing device remote from the housing and configured to receive data from the at least two sensors through the inhaler communication interface, the computing device having:
 a processor configured to process data output from the two sensors to determine whether that data comprises signature data, indicating inhaler use and therefore incremental depletion of medication, the processor further configured to evaluate timing of any signature data to confirm whether a use of the inhaler has occurred and determine when medication refills are needed; 
 a memory configured to record confirmed signature data as indicated by the processor assist the processor in tracking usage for assessment of refills needed; 
 a wireless communication interface configured to transmit the information regarding refills; and 
 an application on the mobile personal computing device having a user interface that allows the user to visualize medication amounts and refill timing, and be aware of refill transmissions by the wireless communication interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The monitor system of  claim 1 , wherein a medication supplier's purchasing software is integrated with the application such that the application allows the user to confirm a desire to purchase an additional refill, that confirmation is relayed to the supplier using the wireless communication interface and the medication refill occurs automatically. 
     
     
         3 . The monitor system of  claim 1 , wherein the application is configured to present a screen requesting that the user confirm direct purchase of a refill by accepting or clicking an accept button visible to the user on the screen. 
     
     
         4 . A method of using a disposable sensor package in communication with a mobile personal computing device, the method comprising:
 attaching a disposable package comprising one or more sensors to an inhaler;   using at least one sensor in the disposable package to detect data relating to signature motions that comprise at least two movements of the inhaler and indicative of preparation by a user and administration of a dose of the medication;   using at least one sensor in the disposable package to detect one or more temperatures using a sensor outside and near the mouth of the user within a time window of any signature motions, the temperatures indicative of a dosage breathing pattern for medication dosage;   using an inhaler communication interface within the disposable package to transmit the motion and temperature data to a mobile personal computing device of the user;   using the mobile personal computing device to process the motion data to determine whether it includes one or more signature motions indicative of proper preparation and use of the inhaler;   using the mobile personal computing device to process the temperature data to determine whether it is indicative of proper dosage breathing patterns for effective medication dosage;   using the mobile personal computing device to evaluate the timing of the signature motion data relative to the temperature data to determine whether the inhaler has been properly used;   using an application on the mobile personal computing device to communicate with an inhalant refill supplier that the inhaler is depleted and a refill is warranted; and   using the application to communicate with purchasing and shipping information systems of the refill supplier to purchase the inhalant refill by accepting or clicking a purchase button on the user's mobile device.