Universal modular attachments for eye drop containers

Abstract

Introduced here are universal modular attachments that can be attached to medication containers. Because a single modular attachment is typically attachable to medication containers of different sizes, the modular attachment can be referred to as a “universal modular attachment.” For example, some universal modular attachments are attachable to any cylindrical eye drop container having a diameter ranging from 20 millimeters (mm) to 27 mm. A connector ring that substantially matches the diameter of the medication container secures the universal modular attachment to the medication container. The connector ring may be fixedly affixed to the medication container, while the universal modular attachment may be detachably connectable to the connector ring. Each universal modular attachment also includes sensor(s) that are configured to detect administrations of medication. For example, the universal modular attachment may include a motion sensor able to detect instances of movement that are indicative of administrations of medication.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing adapted to be detachably connected to an adaptor fixedly disposed on a bottom of a container;   a motion sensor engaged with said housing and adapted to detect a movement indicative of dispensing a dispersal of a contents of said container and to generate motion data therefrom;   wherein:
 said adaptor is disposed on said container apart from a dispensing path for dispensing said dispersal of said contents from said container; and 
 said housing is adapted to be connected to said adaptor such that said apparatus is apart from said dispensing path when said housing is connected to said adaptor. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said adaptor comprises an adaptor ring.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said container comprises a medication container.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a communicator adapted to communicate information bi-directionally with a first computing device distal from said housing and said container.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said communicator is adapted to communicate said motion data to said first computing device so as to enable identifying by said first computing device of said movement indicative of dispensing said dispersal from said motion data.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a processor adapted to identify from said motion data said movement indicative of dispensing said dispersal.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said processor is adapted to determine compliance with a regimen from said dispersal.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , comprising:
 a communicator adapted to communicate information bi-directionally with a first computing device distal from said housing and said container;   wherein said communicator is adapted to communicate said dispersal to said first computing device so as to enable determination of compliance with a regimen by said first computing device.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , comprising:
 a communicator adapted to communicate information bi-directionally with a first computing device distal from said housing and said container;   wherein said communicator is adapted to communicate at least one of said dispersal and said compliance to said first computing device.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 an adaptor fixedly disposed on a bottom of a container, apart from a dispensing path for dispensing a dispersal of a contents of said container;   a modular attachment comprising:
 a housing adapted to be detachably connected to said adaptor such that said modular attachment is apart from said dispensing path when said housing is connected to said adaptor; and 
 a motion sensor adapted to detect a movement indicative of dispensing said dispersal of said contents. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a first sensor affixed to an outer surface of said container, wherein an output of the first sensor is operatively coupled to said modular attachment.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said first sensor comprises at least one of:   a piezoelectric sensor configured to detect structural deformations of said container caused by an individual dispensing medication; and   a pressure sensor configured to detect variations in pressure caused by an individual grasping said container.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of adaptors, each said adaptor being fixedly disposed on a bottom of a respective container of a plurality of containers, each said adaptor being apart from a dispensing path for dispensing a dispersal of a contents of a respective container of said containers;   a modular attachment comprising:
 a housing adapted to be detachably connected to any of said adaptors such that said modular attachment is apart from said dispensing path of said respective container when said housing is connected to said adaptor of said respective container; and 
 a motion sensor engaged with said housing and adapted to detect a movement indicative of dispensing said dispersal of said contents. 
   
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 generating, by a motion sensor of a modular attachment removably engaged with a container, motion data representing a collective movement of said modular attachment and said container;
 wherein said modular attachment is connected to a container such that said modular attachment is apart from a dispensing path for a dispersal of a contents of said container, via an adaptor fixedly attached to a bottom of said container; 
   identifying, by a processor of the modular attachment and from said motion data, a movement indicative of dispensing said dispersal from said container.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 establishing, by a communicator of said modular attachment, a communication channel between said modular attachment and a first computing device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 communicating, by said communicator, said motion data to said first computing device so as to enable identifying by said first computing device of said movement indicative of dispensing said dispersal from said motion data.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 identifying, by a processor of said modular attachment and from said motion data, said movement indicative of dispensing said dispersal.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 determining, by said processor and from said dispersal, compliance with a regimen from said dispersal.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 establishing, by a communicator of said modular attachment, a communication channel between said modular attachment and a first computing device; and   communicating said dispersal to said first computing device so as to enable determination of compliance with a regimen by said first computing device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising:
 establishing, by a communicator of said modular attachment, a communication channel between said modular attachment and a first computing device; and   communicating at least one of said dispersal and said compliance to said first computing device.