Method and system for performing remote treatment and monitoring

Abstract

The disclosure relates to medical databases, remote monitoring, diagnosis and treatment systems and methods. In one particular embodiment, a system for remote monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment of eye conditions, disorders and diseases is provided. This method generally includes administering a stream of droplets to the eye of a subject from an ejector device, and storing data related to the administration in a memory of the ejector device. The data may then be monitored and analyzed.

1 . A system for treating ophthalmic subjects, comprising
 at least one ejector device configured for administering a stream of droplets to an eye of a subject in need thereof, wherein said ejector device comprises:
 a memory for storing subject-specific data, 
 a communication interface for communicating said stored data, 
 an image capture device to capture images of the eye, the subject-specific data including image information captured by said image capture device, the images of the eye of the subject sufficient to obtain information about the diagnosis or health of the eye, 
 a reservoir disposed within a housing of the ejector device for receiving a volume of ophthalmic fluid, and 
 an ejector mechanism coupled to the reservoir, the ejector mechanism configured to eject the stream of droplets; and 
   at least one database or server in communication with said ejector device.   
     
     
         2 . A system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one docking station configured to interface with said at least one ejector device and to communicate with said ejector device(s). 
     
     
         3 . A system of  claim 2 , wherein said ejector device(s) communicate with said docking station(s) via a wired or wireless communication interface. 
     
     
         4 . A system of  claim 2 , wherein said ejector device comprises an I/O port configured to interface with said docking station. 
     
     
         5 . A system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one ejector device is in communication with said at least one database or server via said docking station. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user terminal. 
     
     
         8 . A system of  claim 8 , wherein said user terminal is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a smartphone, and a PDA. 
     
     
         9 . A system of  claim 8 , wherein said system is configured for two-way communication between said at least one ejector device and said user terminal. 
     
     
         10 . A system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one ejector device includes a piezo electric ejector or thermal ejector. 
     
     
         11 . A method for monitoring ophthalmic subjects, the method comprising:
 administering a stream of droplets to an eye of a subject in need thereof using an ejector device, said ejector device comprising:
 a memory for storing subject-specific data, 
 a communication interface for communicating said stored data, 
 an ejector mechanism coupled to a reservoir for receiving a volume of ophthalmic fluid, 
 a piezo electric actuator configured to oscillate the ejector mechanism at a frequency to eject the stream of droplets upon actuation, and 
 an image capture device to capture images of the eye, the subject-specific data including image information captured by said image capture device, the images of the eye of the subject sufficient to obtain information about the diagnosis or health of the eye; and 
   storing said data in the memory of said device.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of  claim 11 , further comprising communicating said stored data from said ejector device to a docking station, database or server, and/or user terminal. 
     
     
         14 . A method of  claim 13 , further comprising analyzing the communicated data from said ejector device and adjusting administration of said stream of droplets to the eye of said subject as needed, based on said analysis. 
     
     
         15 . A method of  claim 11 , wherein said subject is being treated for glaucoma, and said stream of droplets administered to the eye comprises a medicament for the treatment of glaucoma. 
     
     
         16 . A method of  claim 15 , wherein said subject-specific data includes dosing regimen information related to the treatment of glaucoma. 
     
     
         17 . A method of  claim 16 , wherein said subject-specific data includes information related to said subject's compliance with the dosing regimen. 
     
     
         18 . A method for monitoring ophthalmic subjects, the method comprising:
 receiving subject-specific data from an ejector device, said ejector device configured for administering a stream of droplets to the eye of a subject in need thereof, the ejector device comprising:
 an image capture device configured to capture images of the eye, the subject-specific data including image information captured by said image capture device, the images of the eye of the subject sufficient to obtain information about the diagnosis or health of the eye; 
   storing said subject-specific data in at least one database;   analyzing the stored subject-specific data; and   adjusting administration of said stream of droplets to the eye of said subject as needed, based on said analysis.   
     
     
         19 . A method of  claim 18 , wherein analyzing the stored subject-specific data comprises analyzing the images or image information to thereby diagnose said subject based, at least in part, on analysis of said images or image information, wherein adjusting administration of said stream is based on the analysis of said images or image information. 
     
     
         20 . A method of  claim 18 , wherein said subject is being treated for glaucoma, and said stream of droplets administered to the eye comprises a medicament for the treatment of glaucoma. 
     
     
         21 . A method of  claim 15 , wherein said subject-specific data includes dosing regimen information related to the treatment of glaucoma. 
     
     
         22 . A method of  claim 16 , wherein said subject-specific data includes information related to said subject's compliance with said dosing regimen. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled)