Warning system and method for monitoring the availability of medicaments for a patient

The present invention relates to a warning system and a A method for monitoring the availability of medical Aid for a patient, in particular for monitoring the availability of essential medicines.

Many people are due to an illness, malfunction or obstruction of medical accessories, such as eg. medication or medical devices, depending. in the Everyday life is the short-term availability of medical Aids for these people is very important. An example provide emergency medicines for patients, which fall Asthma or angina pectoris suffer. When this emergency medication be postponed by the patients lost or not ready when required or are used up, there may be life-threatening for the patients concerned acute health conditions come. For availability and the condition of the drugs are the responsible patients typically self. Especially in everyday life However, it may happen that the patient, eg. due to external distraction not always have full control have on the availability of their drugs. This applies in equally to the administration time of drugs, which are taken at fixed intervals have to. The inventors are so far no prior art known of the patient a reliable tool for Avoid the above problems provides.

The object of the present invention, to provide a system and a method that a patient automatically draw attention to it when important for him medical aids no longer immediately available and / or have to be used.

The object is in accordance with the alert system and the procedure the patent claims 1 and 15 is released. Advantageous embodiments the warning system and the method are the subject the dependent claims or can be the following description and the exemplary embodiments.

This warning system to monitor the availability medical devices for a patient, in particular of drugs, is composed of a first tool side Signal generator and a second patient signal transmitter together. The first signal transmitter can be connected to the medical Aids or a container for tools fix or integrate into the tool or the container. Thus, this first signal transmitter for example. In the package a drug incorporated as a medical device will. The first signal generator includes a transmission unit for transmitting to the first electromagnetic signals, the second transducer a corresponding receiving unit for Reception of the emitted by the transmitting unit of the first signal generator first electromagnetic signals. Furthermore includes the patient-side second transducer a warning device for delivering an audible warning signal from the patient and a control unit for controlling the warning means. The second patient-side switch may from Patient, eg. In the form of a finger ring, on a bracelet or a necklace be worn. It may also in Nutzoder Ornaments are integrated, such as. Wristwatches or amulets. The patient-side signal transmitter has the Task, the patients in case of need by the perceptible Warning signal, for example. A visual alarm, an audible Alarm, a vibrator or a combination of two or all of these alarms to warn. Corresponding embodiments the warning device to those skilled in the Prior known art. The control unit of the patient-side second signal generator is designed such that it upon reception of the first electromagnetic signals, or falls below a predetermined reception strength of the first electromagnetic signals and / or upon receipt of a certain transmitted with the first electromagnetic signals Information the warning device for delivering the Warning signal activates.

By using this alert system as well as the corresponding Method is the patient, depending on the configuration of the system, pointed out that the important for him medical devices, for example. an emergency medicine or sometimes spontaneously much needed medical Device no longer within range and / or not usable in a proper, ie State is. Alternatively or additionally, the patient also it will be alerted with the warning signal, that he use the medical device in the near future have to be.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present warning system and the associated method, the tool side first transducer to one or more sensors, an essential condition for the use of the resource, eg. the level of a medication unit or the gas pressure in a spray or squeeze bottle, grasp. A further example sensors for empty pressed Blister packs are for drugs. The first signal transmitter comprises additionally a control unit for controlling the Transmission unit to which the transmitting unit upon detection of either an improper state of the resource, for example. when detecting a minimum level or gas pressure, for Emitting an electromagnetic signal, or a particular Signal sequence, or the transmission of the detected condition Aid in the patient-side signal transmitter regularly requested response signal controls.

The signal transmission between the patient-side second and the tool-side first signal transmitter, depending on Design of the warning system and the method to different carried manner, the listed hereinafter Embodiments of course also be combined are.

Thus, in a first embodiment of the tool side first transducer periodically an electric omagnetisches Signal to the patient-side second signal generator send. Achieved it not the patient-side signal transmitter, eg. due to the large distance of the aid from Patients, thus triggering the patient-side second transducer the warning signal, as the signal strength falls below a predetermined Threshold has dropped. In this embodiment, the patient will therefore pay attention to it easily made when he unconsciously too far from the important for him medical aids, such as. an emergency medicine, away.

In a second embodiment sends the patient side second signal transmitter at regular intervals an interrogation signal on the tool side first signal transmitter. This sends upon receiving this interrogation signal a response signal back. Achieved this response signal the patient side second signal generator is so, in the same manner as in of the first embodiment generates a warning signal. In a Further development of this second embodiment, in which the state detected by sensors of the medical device is, the response signal can also provide information on these State of the resource included. In this case, the Information from the control unit of the patient-side detected second signal generator and not proper for a State Aid also triggered a warning. This embodiment thus offers the patient the further advantage that he in time improper over a Condition of aid is notified, so that it can take appropriate action.

In a third embodiment of the tool-side sends first signal generator a signal to the patient-side second Auto switch when an improper with the sensors State of the resource is detected. The control unit the patient-side second siren triggers under this received signal a warning signal. in a development or alternative embodiment sends the tool side Signal transmitter and a signal to the patient-side Auto switch when a predetermined fixed income interval or use interval for the aid by the patient is not respected. Compliance with this interval can be controlled by the sensors of the use collect aid via a corresponding change in state can. In this way the patient is reliably recalls, if it the predetermined and necessary as a rule Time interval does not comply.

In a further embodiment of the present warning system and the associated method, the patient may also be a warning attention once the Endurance limit of a drug as a medical Aids is reached or is imminent. So either in the patient-side or tool side Signal generator provided a time comparator be that linked one with the aid programmed Comparison time, for example. The expiry date, the current time compares. For this, of course, a corresponding internal clock, which is also may be a radio clock required. The comparison time can eg. by the patient at the dawn of a new packaging unit a medicament or the distributor of the drug are set or when preparing the drug already been programmed into the tool signal transmitter are, if these signal generators already in production fixed the drug on its package or in the package is integrated.

The power supply of the signal transmitter can on batteries done. Due to the non-continuous emission of signals, the power consumption is low. Of course Solutions are also possible in which, for example, the drug-side Auto switch its energy from the patient side Signal transmitter or from the ambient noise in each case on Electromagnetic Waves obtained. Such techniques are of the field of wireless information transmission as well as from the RF-ID tag technology (Radio Frequency Identification) known.

In a development of this warning system and the associated method can in addition to alerting the patient through the patient-side signal generator and a transmission a warning to other people, eg. a Supervisor or physician occur. For this purpose, the patient side or the tool-side signal generator a Interface to an external receiving unit, via which the warning message when a warning signal to the corresponding occurrence is another person than indirectly. Thus, for example. a connection to a mobile network to activate a Mobile phone of another person occurs to eg. The making mistakes status of the medical aid attention. The use of other wireless transmission techniques by appropriate design of the integrated interface is of course possible, such as, a direct short-distance wireless connection directly to a mobile phone, eg. via Bluetooth. Via such a communication can also be a new recipe or a new pack of a medicament be automatically requested, if this is not is longer in proper condition or depleted. furthermore can when using such an integrated Interface also an attending physician or other Caregivers are informed when the patient's Medication is not taken regularly. Finally, it is also alerting people providing care via the Internet, wherein the patient-side signal transmitter corresponding one Information then directly or via an onboard near Mobile phone in a public mobile communications network transmits.

This alert system and associated method are below with reference to embodiments in conjunction explained with the drawings again. In the figures:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an illustration of the use of the present warning system;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a schematic illustration of components the present warning system in a possible configuration; and</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>Examples of integration or attachment the signal transmitter in different objects.</dd></dl>

In an application in which this warning system, the patient wears 15 the second signal generator 2 continuously to the body, for example. integrated into a wristwatch, as with reference to Figure 1 is illustrated. In this example, the patient is 15 depend on an important drug which in a container is packed 14th In this box 14 is also the tool-side signal generator 1 attached, the regular Intervals electromagnetic signals emits. located Once the drug in the vicinity of the patient 15, so receives the patient-side signal transmitter 2, the electromagnetic Signals with sufficient reception. Forgets the patient 15 to be drug eg. in his home and away from the apartment, as are the patient side Switch 2 at a certain range is exceeded a warning signal as the received signal then below a threshold value has dropped. The patient 15 can then return and take the medication with him. To this Way can be avoided that the patient unnoticed in a situation gets, in which it when needed not to be drug can access.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of individual components the present warning system in one possible embodiment. The figure shows on the left side of the patient side Switch 2, the receiving means 6 and a warning means 10 which are both connected to a control unit 8 are connected. The illustrated on the right side tool-side signal transmitter 1 includes a transmitting device 3 to emit electromagnetic signals at the receiver 6 of the patient-side signal generator 2, as is indicated with the arrow. These components sufficient to that explained in connection with Figure 1 to ensure functioning of the warning system. The control unit 8 checks the patient-side signal generator 2 while the signal strength of the received signal. Downward a predetermined threshold value, the warning device 10 is driven to emit a warning signal.

In further embodiments of the present warning system includes the tool-side signal transmitter 1 and a control unit 7, the transmitting unit 3 for delivery when necessary an electromagnetic Signal controls. Thus, this control unit 7 may be connected to one or more sensors 9, which the capture state of the auxiliary. In a non-detection proper condition may then, the control unit 7, the Transmitting unit 3 for delivering one or more electromagnetic Signals drive, on its receipt by the receiving unit 6 of the patient-side signal generator 2 toward the Control unit 8 also causes a warning signal.

Furthermore, the patient-side signal transmitter 2 can send a transmission unit 4 and the tool-side signal transmitter 1 a comprise receiving unit. 5 In such a configuration, , the patient-side signal transmitter 2 at regular Intervals electromagnetic signals to query the tool side Siren 1 emit. Upon receipt of such Interrogating signals to the receiving unit 5 causes the Control unit 7 of the tool-side signal generator 1, the Transmitting unit 3 for outputting a corresponding response signal. Receives the patient-side signal transmitter 2, no such Response signal to a query signal, then a Alarm triggered. Furthermore, the control unit 7 can also Information about the condition sensed by the sensors 9 Embed the aid in the response signal. In this Case, the information by the control unit 8 of the patient-side signal generator 2 is evaluated and not proper condition of the aid also a warning signal triggered.

In the figure 2 is also a dashed line, the above in the Description explained time comparator 11 indicated, both in the patient-side signal generator 2 as well can be arranged in the tool signal transmitter. 1 This time comparator 11 serves to produce a Warning signal when reaching the minimum durability period of a Medicament as medical aids.

Figure 2 also shows the interface 12 for wireless Connection to an external receiving station 16, via the a warning example. to the mobile phone of a supervising Person can be submitted. In a drug as a medical Aids allows control of drug availability on the sensor or sensors 9 in conjunction with delivering a warning message via the interface 12 also an automatic request for a follow recipe or Ordering a medication, whereby an interruption the medication is avoided and saves administrative costs can be.

The patient-side signal generator 2 is preferably miniaturized, that he on a ring 17 or other piece of jewelry Body can be worn as indicated in Figure 3a is. The tool-side signal transmitter 1 can, for example. integrated into a container 14 for medicines or in this be attached container 14 or directly in the medical be integrated tool 13 or attached thereto. Both Possibilities are illustrated in Figures 3b and 3c, the figure 3b a medicine packet as a receptacle 14 located therein with blister packs 18 and Figure 3c an inhaler 19 illustrated with a gas cylinder, on the inner wall of the tool-side signal encoder 1 is fixed. In the latter case, this signal generator a pressure or level sensor for detecting the have state of the gas bottling.

The tool-side signal transmitter 1 can eg. In polymer electronic be realized circuitry and is preferably directly integrated into the drug package. The former is just in disposable packaging of medicines particularly low, as such shifts cost are space-saving and feasible.