Monitoring adherence to a medication regimen using a sensor

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring and/or managing adherence to a medication regimen that involves use of a sensor. Dispensing medicine from a container commonly involves motion of the container, which can be a distinctive motion. In some embodiments, a processor monitors motion sensor data from a motion sensor that is physically coupled to the container, such that the motion sensor and the container move in unison. A processor analyzes the sensor data to determine physical movement of the container. When the determined movement matches the distinctive motion of medicine being dispensed, the processor can determine that medicine has been dispensed. A computer system can compare the dispensed medication to a planned medication regimen to determine a state of compliance to the medication regimen. The computer system can take an action based on the compliance state, such as sending a message indicating the compliance state to a medical professional.

1 . A method for monitoring adherence to a medication regimen using a motion sensor of a mobile device, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a computer system and from the mobile device, motion sensor data generated by the motion sensor of the mobile device,   the motion sensor data being indicative of motion associated with the mobile device when used in conjunction with a medication management device that is physically connected to the mobile device,   the mobile device including a medication monitoring application that caused the motion sensor data to be sent to the computer system for analysis;   analyzing, by the computer system, the motion sensor data to determine that medication was dispensed and a time that the medication was dispensed,   wherein the medication was dispensed from the medication management device or a container held by the medication management device;   accessing, by the computer system, a database to obtain medication regimen data associated with the medication regimen that includes time information indicative of a planned time to dispense the medication;   determining, by the computer system, a state of compliance to the medication regimen based on a relationship between the time that the medication was dispensed and the planned time; and   sending, by the computer system, a compliance message indicative of the state of compliance.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medication regimen data includes dose information that indicates a quantity of the medication associated with a planned dose of the medication, the method further comprising:
 analyzing, by the computer system, sensor data to determine a quantity of the medication that was dispensed from the container or the medication management device; and   comparing the quantity of the medication that was dispensed to the quantity of the medication associated with the planned dose of the medication regimen,   wherein the determination of the state of compliance is further based on the comparison of the quantity of the medication that was dispensed to the quantity of the medication associated with the planned dose of the medication regimen.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor data is from one of the motion sensor or a medication detection sensor of the medication management device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medication regimen data includes dose information that indicates a quantity of the medication that is associated with a planned dose of the medication, the method further comprising:
 receiving, from the mobile device, sensor data generated by a medication detection sensor of the medication management device,   the sensor data indicating a quantity of the medication that was dispensed from the medication management device or the container; and   comparing the quantity of the medication that was dispensed to the quantity of the medication that is associated with the planned dose of the medication regimen,   wherein the determination of the state of compliance is further based on the comparison of the quantity of the medication that was dispensed to the quantity of the medication that is associated with the planned dose of the medication regimen.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medication regimen data includes dose information indicative of a quantity of the medication associated with a planned dose of the medication, the method further comprising:
 receiving, from the mobile device, an indication of a quantity of the medication that was dispensed from the medication management device or the container, the indication of the quantity of the medication that was dispensed being based on data generated by a medication detection sensor of the medication management device; and   comparing the quantity of the medication that was dispensed to the quantity of the medication associated with the planned dose of the medication regimen,   wherein the determination of the state of compliance is further based on the comparison of the quantity of the medication that was dispensed to the quantity of the medication associated with the planned dose of the medication regimen.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the indication of the quantity of the medication that was dispensed was generated by the medication monitoring application based on the data generated by the medication detection sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 receiving from a medication detection sensor medication detection sensor data generated by the medication detection sensor;   the medication detection data being indicative of medication being dispensed;   analyzing the medication detection sensor data in combination with the motion sensor data to determine that medication was dispensed and the time that the medication was dispensed.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising:
 analyzing the medication detection sensor data to determine a dose of the medication dispensed.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 accessing the database to obtain dose information indicative of a planned dose for the medication;   determining the state of compliance to the medication regimen based on a relationship between the dose dispensed and the planned dose.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 sending the compliance message to at least one of a user of the medication, a relative of the user, a doctor of the user, another medical staff of the user, a medical professional associated with the user, a pharmacy, an insurance company, and a drug study.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 responsive to noncompliance, sending the compliance message with details as to an issue of noncompliance.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 responsive to the state of compliance, taking an action comprising at least one of sending a notification to take the medication, sending a notification not to take the medication, sending a notification to delay taking the medication, causing a prescription for the medication to be renewed, and causing a prescription for the medication to be refilled.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 causing the mobile device to record evidence comprising at least one of an audio recording, a video recording, and a still image.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising:
 determining the state of compliance based on the recorded evidence   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising:
 identifying the medication based on the recorded evidence   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 prompting the user to perform at least one of   taking an audio recording as evidence, taking a video recording as evidence, taking a still image as evidence, identifying the medication, speaking a name of the medication, and   indicating a graphical representation of the medication.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the medication management device and the mobile device are physically connected so as to move substantially in unison.   
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 generating motion sensor data by a motion sensor of a mobile device, the mobile device being physically engaged with a medication management device,   analyzing the motion sensor data to determine whether the motion sensor data is indicative of dispensing medication from the medication management device or a container engaged with the medication management device;   responsive to determining that the motion sensor data is indicative of dispensing medication, indicating that medication is dispensed and determining a time that medication is dispensed;   determining a state of compliance with a medication regimen based on the medication being dispensed, a planned dispensing of the medication by the regimen, the time that medication is dispensed, a planned time of dispensing the medication by the regimen, and a relationship thereamong.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising:
 sending a compliance message indicative of the state of compliance.