Systems and techniques for monitoring subjects

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for monitoring and/or providing feedback for drugs or other pharmaceuticals taken by a subject. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for determining a species within the skin of a subject; and producing feedback to a subject based on the determination of the species. The feedback may be, for example, visual, audible, tactile, a change in temperature, etc. In some cases, information regarding the determination of the species may be transmitted to another entity, e.g., a health care provider, a computer, a relative, etc., which may then provide feedback to the subject in some fashion. In some cases, the feedback may be directly indicative of the species, e.g., whether the species is present, the concentration of the species, whether a by-product of a reaction involving the species is present, whether a compound affected by the species is present, etc. However, the feedback may also be indirect in some embodiments. For example, the subject may be presented with an external reward, e.g., based on the determination of the species within the skin. For instance, a reward such as cash, coupons, songs, discounts, personal items, etc., may be offered based on the level of compliance of the subject. Still other aspects of the invention are generally directed to kits involving such devices (with or without the drug to be monitored), methods of promoting such systems, or the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A device for application to a skin of a subject for treating the subject with a drug, the device comprising:
 a substance transfer component comprising one or more microneedles;   a deployment actuator configured and arranged to move from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position, wherein when the deployment actuator is in the first position, the one or more microneedles do not contact the skin of the subject, and wherein when the deployment actuator is in the second position, at least one of the microneedles pierce the skin of the subject;   a vacuum source able to create an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure;   a sensing chamber, positioned within the device, for containing the blood withdrawn from the subject, wherein the sensing chamber is separate from the vacuum source, and wherein the vacuum source is able to apply a vacuum to withdraw blood from the subject to be contained by the sensing chamber after the microneedles pierces the skin of the subject;   a sensor positioned in sensing communication with the sensing chamber, the sensor being configured and arranged to determine an analyte suspected of being present within the blood within the sensing chamber;   a microprocessor positioned in electrical communication with the sensor; and   a drug reservoir within the device for containing the drug deliverable to the subject, wherein the device is configured to deliver the drug from the reservoir to the skin of the subject after the deployment actuator has moved from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.   
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 58 , wherein the drug is deliverable to the subject from the drug reservoir via the substance transfer component. 
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 58 , wherein the device comprises a second substance transfer component for delivering the drug from the drug reservoir. 
     
     
         61 . The device of  claim 60 , wherein the second substance transfer component comprises a needle. 
     
     
         62 . The device of  claim 58 , the device further comprising a reaction entity contained within the sensing chamber able to react with the analyte suspected of being present within the blood. 
     
     
         63 . The device of  claim 58 , the device further comprising a second actuator that, when actuated, fluidly communicates the pressure less than atmospheric pressure in the vacuum source to a site of piercing of the microneedles with the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         64 . A device for application to the skin of a subject for indicating a condition, the device comprising:
 a substance transfer component comprising one or more microneedles;   a deployment actuator configured and arranged to move from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position, wherein when the deployment actuator is in the first position, the one or more microneedles do not contact the skin of the subject, and wherein when the deployment actuator is in the second position, at least some of the microneedles pierce the skin of the subject;   a sensing chamber, positioned within the device, for containing blood from the subject;   a vacuum source, separate from the sensing chamber, amle to create an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure, the vacuum source is able to apply a vacuum to withdraw blood from the subject to be contained by the sensing chamber after the microneedles pierces the skin of the subject;   a sensor positioned in sensing communication with the sensing chamber, the sensor being configured and arranged to determine an analyte suspected of being present within the blood within the sensing chamber;   a microprocessor positioned in electrical communication with the sensor; and   a visual and/or audible indicator determinable by a subject, the indicator positioned within the device in electrical communication with the microprocessor.   
     
     
         65 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the indicator comprise a visual indicator. 
     
     
         66 . The device of  claim 65 , wherein the visual indicator comprises a light. 
     
     
         67 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the indictor comprises an audible indicator. 
     
     
         68 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the indicator indicates an external reward based on determination of the analyte by the microprocessor. 
     
     
         69 . The device of  claim 64 , the device further comprising a reaction entity contained within the sensing chamber able to react with the analyte contained within the blood. 
     
     
         70 . The device of  claim 64 , the device further comprising an actuator that, when actuated, fluidly communicates the pressure less than atmospheric pressure in the vacuum source to a site of piercing of the microneedles with the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         71 . A device for application to the skin of a subject for determining an analyte, the device comprising:
 a substance transfer component comprising one or more microneedles;   a deployment actuator configured and arranged to move from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position, wherein when the deployment actuator is in the first position, the one or more microneedles do not contact the skin of the subject, and wherein when the deployment actuator is in the second position, at least some of the microneedles pierce the skin of the subject;   a sensing chamber, positioned within the device, for containing blood from the subject;   a vacuum source, separate from the sensing chamber, able to create an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure to withdraw blood from the subject to be contained by the sensing chamber after the microneedles pierces the skin of the subject;   a first sensor positioned in sensing communication with the sensing chamber, the sensor being configured and arranged to determine an analyte suspected of being present within the blood within the sensing chamber;   a second sensor configured and arranged to determine a location of the device; and   a microprocessor positioned in electrical communication with the first sensor and the second sensor.   
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the second sensor comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor. 
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the microprocessor is configured and arranged to produce composite data comprising analyte data from the first sensor and location data from the second sensor. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 73 , wherein the device further comprises a data storage compartment for recording the composite data. 
     
     
         75 . The device of  claim 73 , wherein the device further comprises a transmitter for transmitting the composite data. 
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 71 , the device further comprising a reaction entity contained within the storage chamber able to react with the analyte contained within the blood. 
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 71 , the device further comprising an actuator that, when actuated, fluidly communicates the pressure less than atmospheric pressure in the vacuum source to a site of piercing of the microneedles with the skin of the subject.