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 pressure being applied to the container, which results in expansion of the container. In some embodiments, pressure is applied by a user through an aperture of the apparatus. In some embodiments, a processor monitors pressure sensor data from a pressure sensor that is physically coupled to the container and arranged such that activation of the pressure sensor indicates the container has expanded in response to the user applying pressure. A processor analyzes the pressure sensor data to determine whether medicine has been dispensed from the container. A computer system can compare the dispensed medication to a planned medication regimen to determine a state of compliance with the medication regimen.

1 . A medication device comprising:
 a jacket configured to hold a container of medicine, wherein the jacket includes an aperture that allows a user to apply pressure to the container to dispense medicine and a first pressure sensor arranged such that activation of the first pressure sensor indicates the container has expanded in response to the user applying pressure to the container through the aperture; and   an attachment component configured to enable the medication device to be physically connected to a mobile device,   wherein the medication device causes a computer system to analyze a first data output generated by the first pressure sensor and received by the mobile device, and wherein the computer system determines whether medication was dispensed from the container based on the first data output.   
     
     
         2 . The medication device of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system further analyzes a second data output from a motion sensor of the mobile device, wherein the second data output is indicative of motion of the medication device, the container, and the mobile device that move substantially in unison. 
     
     
         3 . The medication device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second pressure sensor coupled to the jacket and arranged such that activation of the second pressure sensor indicates the container has been inserted into the jacket, wherein the second pressure sensor generates a third data output that indicates whether the container has been inserted into the jacket.   
     
     
         4 . The medication device of  claim 2 , wherein the first pressure sensor is configured to be activated by the mobile device based on the second data output generated by the motion sensor of the mobile device or the third data output generated by the second pressure sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The medication device of  claim 2 , further comprising a medication detection sensor configured to indicate whether medication was dispensed from the container. 
     
     
         6 . The medication device of  claim 2 , wherein the computer system is configured to:
 receive information from the medication device that includes time the medicine was dispensed, quantity of medicine dispensed, quantity of medicine remaining in the container, or a combination thereof;   retrieve information from a storage device that includes information related to a medication regimen for the user; and   determine a state of compliance to the medication regimen based on a comparison of the information received from the medication device and the information retrieved from the storage device.   
     
     
         7 . The medication device of  claim 5 , wherein information related to the medication regimen includes time information, which includes a planned time medicine is to be dispensed, and dosage information, which includes a planned type of medicine and a planned quantity of medicine to be dispensed. 
     
     
         8 . The medication device of  claim 5 , wherein the computer system is further configured to:
 send a message to the user or a physician that describes the user's state of compliance to the medication regimen.   
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 providing a medication device that includes a pressure sensor, wherein the medication device comprises a jacket that includes an interior cavity to secure a container of medicine and an aperture that allows a user to apply pressure to the container secured within the cavity,   wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense lateral expansion of the container in response to the user applying pressure to the container through the aperture, and   wherein the pressure sensor generates data that indicates whether medicine has been dispensed from the container;   recording the data in a storage; and   communicating the data to a medical adherence system that is configured to track adherence to a medication regimen.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving a tactile input from the user through one or more interfaces located on the medication management device; and   activating the pressure sensor upon receiving the tactile input.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining whether the container has been inserted into the interior cavity of the jacket.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing, to the user, a reminder to dispense the medicine.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the reminder includes a visual or audible reminder. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 providing a jacket that defines an interior cavity adapted to secure a container and an aperture that enables application of dispensing pressure to the container secured within the cavity;   providing an expansion pressure sensor engaged with the jacket so as to sense lateral expansion of the container and generate expansion pressure data indicative of whether material has been dispensed from the container in response to dispensing pressure having been applied to the container through the aperture; and   providing a data communicator disposed in communication with the expansion pressure sensor, the data communicator being adapted to communicate the expansion pressure data to an adherence system configured to track adherence to a regimen.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the container is a medicine container.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 providing an insertion pressure sensor engaged with the jacket so as to generate insertion pressure data indicative of whether the container has been inserted into the jacket in response to insertion pressure having been applied to the jacket.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the data communicator comprises a connector adapted to mechanically and communicatively engage the jacket with an external device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the connector is adapted to mechanically engage the jacket with the external device such that the jacket moves in unison with the external device while engaged therewith.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the data communicator comprises a wireless communication module.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing a data storage adapted to store the expansion pressure data.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing a material exit sensor engaged with the jacket so as to generate exit data indicative of whether the material has exited the container.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the material exit sensor is an optical sensor adapted to detect matter released from the container.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing one or more light sources engaged with the jacket and adapted to convey information visually, providing one or more speakers engaged with the jacket and adapted to convey information auditorily, or both.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the information comprises progress towards completion of a regimen, quantity of material remaining in the container, a reminder to dispense the material, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing a tactile sensor engaged with the jacket so as to generate tactile data indicative of whether contact has been made with the tactile sensor.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the tactile sensor is adapted to provide a touch input interface.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the tactile sensor is adapted to generate the tactile data so as to be indicative of one or more of a pulse, a heart rate, an oxygen saturation, and a glucose concentration of a user contacting the tactile sensor.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing one or more of a processor, integrated electronics, a battery, a motion sensor, a position sensor, a tilt sensor, and a gesture recognition module engaged with the jacket.