RU214982U1 - Insulin reminder device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to medical equipment, namely to devices for storing medicines with a function to remind you to take them using visual and audio signals, in particular, short-acting and/or long-acting insulin. The technical result consists in enabling the use of the device by the elderly and not only by people in need of control by third parties. The insulin reminder device contains a housing in which there are seats with infrared sensors for storing insulin syringes; also a controller connected to the non-volatile memory, the Internet connection module, the non-volatile clock, infrared sensors, speakers, microphone, and text message output, and configured to output a voice announcement and a text message when a predetermined time arrives, until the controller will not receive a signal from the infrared sensor to remove the syringe from the seat.

Description

The utility model relates to medical equipment, namely to devices for storing medicines with a function to remind you to take them using visual and audio signals, in particular, short-acting and/or long-acting insulin. The proposed device is intended for patients suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes, who require regular insulin intake based on a given scheme. Because known insulin regimens require administration at a specific time, tracking which is difficult for many patients, especially the elderly.

Solutions having an insulin reminder function are already known from the prior art.

In particular, a device for storing medicines and reminders of admission is known (m / n publication WO 2011054000 dated 05.05.2011), which, among other things, can be used to control the administration of injections and which contains sensors that determine the presence of drugs in the cells, their dosage, expiration date and other information, which allows you to warn the patient about the currently required dose of the drug, as well as providing information related to the drug, and determining the fact of using the drug. Also, the specified device provides for the presence of wireless communication for transmitting information to third parties, as examples are Wi-Fi, GPRS, GSM, SMS (some versions have a slot for a SIM card), as well as a USB interface.

However, this device does not provide the ability to record voice and text messages for display on the screen for a personalized message.

The closest analogue of the patented device is a device for storing injection devices, made in the form of a housing with a lid and seats for placing each injection device separately, as well as a speaker for playing a sound alert, a display for displaying information, a notification light, a light sensor, a position sensor lids (open/closed), a battery assembly for supplying power to the device components, including a timer (see RF patent No. 2734912, publ. 10/26/2020).

However, this device does not provide the ability to record a voice alert and a text message, determine the presence of a syringe in the seat, as well as the ability to transfer data to a cloud storage / to an external site. In addition, the known device is designed exclusively for storage in the refrigerator, and only works when the refrigerator door is open and the timer has already reached the desired value. The device provides control over only one type of drug, the lid position sensor is triggered by the opening of the lid, but does not track which drug was used, so there is no control of the device for extracting a specific type of drug.

The technical problem is the need to improve known devices for use by the elderly and not only by people who need control by third parties. So, a simple sound notification in the form of a single or multiple signal may not attract the attention of the patient, or he may simply forget the dosage, the required type of medication, re-administer the medication, etc. The ability to record a voice alert and a text message, as well as monitoring the presence / absence of a syringe in the seat for a certain type of insulin (that is, the fact that the syringe is removed) and the subsequent transfer of data on the fact of extraction or its absence to external resources will allow third parties to control medication intake by the patient.

The task can be solved by combining the functionality of the above devices, adding the ability to record an alert (both audio and text) for a specific person with the necessary information about taking a certain type of insulin.

The claimed technical result is achieved due to the design of the insulin reminder device, which contains a housing in which there are seats with infrared sensors for storing insulin syringes, a means for displaying text messages, speakers, a microphone, a connector for connecting to A PC with a back-up power supply and a controller connected to non-volatile memory, a module for connecting to the Internet, a non-volatile clock, infrared sensors, speakers, a microphone and a text message output, and is configured to output a voice alert and a text message when a predetermined time until the controller receives a signal from the infrared sensor to remove the syringe from the seat.

In a particular case, the means for displaying text messages is an LED matrix.

In a particular case, the means for displaying text messages is a liquid crystal display.

In a particular case, the means for displaying text messages is configured to control the brightness of the glow depending on the degree of illumination of the room.

In a particular case, the module for connecting to the Internet is a Wi-Fi module.

In a particular case, the module for connecting to the Internet is a GSM module.

In a particular case, an indicator is placed on the housing near each seat or on the outer surface of each seat.

In a particular case, the means for outputting text messages is configured to display an arrow "<" or ">" to indicate the desired seat from which the drug should be removed.

Further, the solution is explained by reference to the figures, which show the following.

Fig. 1 is a general view of the insulin reminder device.

2 is a sectional view of the insulin reminder device.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an insulin reminder device.

The insulin reminder device comprises a housing. The housing can be of any shape (based on a parallelepiped, hemisphere, trapezoidal, etc.), has a stable base and at least two seats in the form of cylinders for syringes or insulin pens in the side or top of the housing. One of the seats 1 is a stand for a long-acting insulin syringe, the second seat 2 is a stand for short-acting insulin. On the outer surface of the housing there is a means for outputting text messages 3, as well as a means for controlling the device 4 by the user.

On the inner surface of each of the seats 1 and 2 in the side or bottom part, respectively, infrared sensors 5 and 6 are installed, configured to transmit a signal when the syringe is removed from the stand, thus fixing the moment the syringe is removed from the seat. The sensor (5 and 6) consists of an IR LED and an IR transistor, which opens when IR radiation hits it. The processor constantly checks the voltage level at each sensor. When the syringe is removed from the stand, there will be less reflected light, the transistor will close and there will be no voltage. At the moment of a drop in the voltage level on the sensor, the processor fixes and “remembers” the time of the last use, compares it with the time of the previous use, notifications, sound signals are triggered, indicators are turned on indicating the stand with the right insulin, etc.

The means for outputting text messages 3 is an LED matrix or liquid crystal display or a seven-segment indicator. The means for outputting text messages is made with the possibility of adjusting the brightness of the glow depending on the degree of illumination of the room. To do this, the device also contains a light sensor 7 associated with a controller that regulates the brightness of the glow of the output text messages.

The means for controlling the device 4 in the case shown in FIG. 1 and 2 is made as a rotary encoder, but can also be made in the form of buttons, touch screen and other types of control panels. Also, in a particular case, all settings can be controlled from an application on a mobile device connected to the device via a cloud or physical server.

The device also contains a speaker 8 for outputting voice messages connected to the playback module (mp3 player), pre-recorded in non-volatile memory through a microphone built into the case, or through a personal computer when connected.

In a particular case, the sound indication is a short or long sound signal.

An indicator is placed on the body near each seat or on the outer surface of each seat to indicate the desired stand from which to remove the insulin that currently requires. Also, the indication can be implemented in the form of an arrow "<" or ">" displayed on the text message output tool.

The device can be connected to a personal computer through a connector designed for this (not shown, it can be made in the side or back of the case), it is defined as a USB drive and record voice messages in mp3 format for the person who will use it or change any other alert sounds.

The case has a backup power element 9 installed on the board 10, on which the controller 11 is located, connected to the non-volatile memory 12 (EEPROM or FLASH memory), the module for connecting to the Internet, non-volatile clock 14, infrared sensors 5 and 6, microphone and text message output tool 3.

A non-volatile clock 14 is connected to the controller 11, with backup power 9 (battery or rechargeable battery) to avoid problems in the event of a power outage, etc.

The non-volatile memory stores data on the time of the last medication and device settings, recording voice alerts and text messages.

The module for connecting to the Internet is a Wi-Fi module 15 or a GSM module 13. The device provides the ability to use a SIM card to connect to the network. These features provide a function to send usage statistics to an external site.

The device is configured to remember the time of the last medication. For example, the following options for interaction with the device can be implemented, after which information about the time of the last insulin intake is displayed on the text message output tool 3:

- when pressing the corresponding button in case of execution of the means of control of the device 4 in the form of a keyboard;

- when you click on a certain place on the screen in the case of a device control device 4 in the form of a touch screen;

- with a short press on the encoder in the case of the implementation of the device control tool 4 in the form of an encoder.

The described function solves the problem of determining the time of glucose testing after taking insulin (glucose testing is performed 2-3 hours after taking short-acting insulin, depending on the specific type of medication). Also, this function is needed for self-control (or control by third parties) of the time of taking insulin or skipping a dose.

In addition, in a particular case, the device provides a reminder function with a notification (voice or sound output through the speakers, as well as text output to the text message output tool 3) about the need to control blood glucose according to the scheme determined by the doctor. For example, after a certain time after each breakfast and / or dinner, lunch and / or medication, the message “Check glucose level” is displayed on the screen.

In standby mode, the text message output tool displays the current time, that is, the device works just like a clock.

The following are examples of using the device.

Example 1

This example illustrates the principle of operation of the device for "long" insulin.

The settings set the time of action of insulin 12/24, the time of admission.

15 minutes before the reception time, the device will occasionally emit a short beep.

When the reception time comes, the device starts to give a longer beep (can be replaced with a message for the user), the light indication turns on.

The audible signal does not turn off automatically and sounds until (at intervals of 1-2 minutes) until the insulin pen is removed from the stand. In known devices, the alert signal turns off after a couple of hours, as a result, if there is no time to go right away, the signal is silent and the patient simply forgets about the appointment.

After the handle is pulled out, a beep sounds. By default, this signal is a short sound that can be changed by the user to a voice message (for example, "Vasya, make 28 units"), which is suitable for patients with memory problems, which is pre-recorded in the device's memory through a microphone. The sound is accompanied by an arrow running down the screen from the side of the stand with the corresponding syringe, as a reminder to place it back.

If the pen was removed less than 2 hours before the appointment time, then it is considered that the medicine has been used and the alarm will not work.

If the pen is removed more than 2 hours before the reception, this should be considered a mistake. An error alert sound sounds, the alarm will sound at the time of the scheduled reception.

Example 2

This example illustrates the principle of operation of the device for "short" insulin.

A caveat is needed here, despite the fact that “short” insulin injections are made strictly according to the rule - 15 minutes before a meal, the patient can forget about it, so the proposed functionality is also suitable for patients taking “short” insulin.

The device settings set the time range for breakfast, lunch, dinner. For example, 8-00 to 13-00 breakfast, 14-16 lunch, dinner from 17-20. For example, for breakfast: if the pen is not removed before 13:00, an audible signal is played and a message is displayed asking if the short insulin was forgotten. The schedule can be both general, i.e. the same time for breakfast, lunch and dinner is set for each day, and daily. For example, if on weekdays, the user leaves the house at 8:00 and has lunch at work, then you can disable the control of lunch time from Monday to Friday. And the breakfast control time on the weekend can be shifted to a later time so that the reminder does not bother you too early. The same goes for people with shift schedules, etc.

If the pen is removed from the cradle less than 2 hours after the last use, a warning sound, a voice message, and an on-screen message that <number> minutes (or less than an hour and a half, or less than two hours, etc.) have elapsed since the last use. d.). At the same time, the voice notification and text message are pre-recorded in the device's memory (the voice message is recorded through a microphone or PC when the device is connected to it, the text message is recorded via a PC, as on a USB drive).

The proposed device can be used not only for insulin, but also for other drugs that require administration according to a predetermined scheme. In addition, a separate device can be of two types - with control of both types of insulin, or with control of only long insulin, depending on the settings of the device.

Claims (6)

1. A device for reminding insulin intake, containing a housing in which there are seats with infrared sensors for storing insulin syringes, a means for displaying text messages, speakers, a microphone, a connector for connecting to a PC are installed on the outer surface of the housing, a backup is installed in the housing power, as well as a controller connected to non-volatile memory, a module for connecting to the Internet, a non-volatile clock, infrared sensors, speakers, a microphone and a text message output, and configured to output a voice announcement and a text message when a predetermined time arrives until until the controller receives a signal from the infrared sensor to remove the syringe from the seat. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for outputting text messages is an LED matrix. 3. The device according to claim. 1, characterized in that the means for outputting text messages is a liquid crystal display. 4. The device according to claim. 1, characterized in that the means for outputting text messages is made with the ability to control the brightness of the glow depending on the degree of illumination of the room. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the module for connecting to the Internet is a Wi-Fi module. 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the module for connecting to the Internet is a GSM module.

Images