CH713260B1 - System and procedure for pharmacological compliance assistance. - Google Patents

Abstract

A system to alleviate the burden elderly non-hospital patients face with drug compliance is exposed. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide advantages for handling error-prone tasks. The system includes an integrated dispensing device with remote medical monitoring. The dispensing device is placed in communication with a monitoring station, where the transmitted data is processed by a server and stored in a database. Online accessible configuration panels are provided to patients and healthcare professionals for safe implementation in the dispensing device of personalized medical programs, reminders, alarms and messages, even in response to triggering events. The configuration panels accessible online can also allow you to manage plans for drug refills and medical visits. In addition, the dispensing device can be loaded with planned doses prepared and packaged under the supervision of pharmacists, and home delivery can also be included. Another form of control for safe drug distribution can be implemented through a process of recognizing the drugs that are released. In addition, the dispensing device is configured to collect physiological data, available with compliance profiles from configuration panels accessible online. The benefit is that healthcare professionals are in a position to verify treatments and prevent emergencies with timely interventions. The dispensing device is also expected to be equipped with a touch screen to simplify communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Personalized investigations can be initiated by patients to request medical assistance and refine it. In this way, patients can further improve their ability to manage the disease.

Description

I. SCOPE OF APPLICATION

[0001] The present patent publication refers in general to the problem of compliance with medical prescriptions, also known as adherence to them. More particularly, the invention presented here preferentially refers to medical assistance for home care of elderly non-hospital patients. The purpose of the invention is to improve clinical outcomes by reducing the risk of errors and emergencies related to the unassisted intake of drugs.

II. STATE OF THE SECTOR

Compliance or adherence to prescribed medical regimens is an ever-present, well-known and growing problem. Failure to take patients 'medications as prescribed has profound consequences on the health system and society.' In general, there is a broad consensus on the urgent need for action.

[0003] The action is in a first phase also because compliance is a complex problem that scientific research has highlighted in an exhaustive way only quite recently. Determinants of negative compliance behavior include length of treatment, number of medications, frequency of doses, forgetfulness, poor communication with health care professionals, poor medical care by health care providers, and psychiatric disorders. Last but not least, prescriptions are likely not followed by the purchase of drugs.

[0004] The elderly are the most vulnerable class of patients. The reason is that they are generally afflicted with multiple chronic diseases. A further obstacle to compliance is the presence of cognitive and physical decline. Lack of social support further damages motivation to follow therapies with the risk of depressive reactions.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a system for improving the compliance of elderly non-hospital patients with medical prescriptions based on an integrated dispensing device with medical monitoring.

An advantage of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device configured to allow up to four different patients with identification based on biometric information.

[0007] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing device is placed in communication with a monitoring station via an available network. In addition, the monitoring station provides online accessible configuration panels for patients and healthcare professionals to manage error-prone tasks related to unassisted drug intake by elderly patients.

An advantage of embodiments of the present invention is the secure communication of medical programs to pharmacists directly from physicians via the monitoring station. In addition, the dispensing device is programmed directly by the monitoring station when prescriptions are received by the patient and the drugs are claimed for purchase by the same.

Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention consists in providing the planned doses prepared and suitably packaged by pharmacists ready to be loaded into the dispensing device. Optionally, patient stress can be further relieved by including the drug delivery service. As used herein, dose means one or more drugs to be taken together.

Embodiments of the invention provide a method of dispensing drugs based on the medical program definition parameters. Scheduled drugs are released after a previous biometric identification of patients in the pre-set time interval recommended for taking. As time passes within the recommended deadlines, reminders are issued by the device as scheduled in advance. The recall procedure may include steady and / or flashing lights, an audible alarm and / or a telephone call requested by the dispensing device at the monitoring station. Pharmacological events are reported to the monitoring station for the determination of compliance profiles. In the presence of low compliance rates, messages are generated for patients and / or healthcare professionals as scheduled in advance.

[0011] In other embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing device allows the connection of external devices for the collection of physiological data. The external device may include ordinary measurement devices, wearable devices and / or wearable sensors. Physiological data is transmitted to the monitoring station and made available to healthcare professionals for remote medical monitoring.

Embodiments of the present invention provide healthcare professionals with online accessible configuration panels for continuous medical monitoring. Relevant patient information available may include drug distribution activity, compliance rates, and / or physiological data. In addition, automatic personalized patient instructions can be programmed in response to specific events. One advantage is that quick interventions and / or prompt medical examinations motivated by data can drastically reduce the risk of emergencies. Another advantage is that physicians can avoid prescribing inappropriate medications by comparing clinical outcomes with compliance profiles. An added benefit is that healthcare professionals can use historical care data to develop a greater scientific understanding of diseases. This resource can ultimately allow you to refine your therapies.

[0013] In other embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing device can be equipped with a touch screen to simplify the communication of patients with healthcare professionals. Pre-set personalized investigations can be initiated by patients to ask for their condition to be checked. An advantage is that patients can receive individualized instructions from healthcare professionals periodically. Another benefit is that patients can develop a realistic understanding of the disease while also boosting motivation.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] Embodiments of the invention described here can be better understood with reference to the attached figures. Drawings of dispensing device views are not necessarily to scale. FIG. 1 shows a dispensing device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows different views of a dispensing device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG.3 shows two views of an example of a revolver disc, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates in schematic form the main functions and functionalities available from the configuration panel accessible online for patients, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG.5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for preparing questionnaires to be submitted to patients, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG.6 illustrates in schematic form the main functions and functionalities available from the configuration panel accessible online for doctors and pharmacists, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the procedure required to implement the medical programs in the dispensing device, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. System architecture

[0015] The system disclosed in the present patent document can preferably comprise a dispensing device, a monitoring station, comprising a server and a database, and measuring devices for the collection of physiological data (heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, frequency breathing, oxygen saturation, blood sugar, and the like below). For the collection of physiological data attention can be paid to vital parameters.

[0016] The dispensing device is placed in communication with the monitoring station with other external devices (for example, mobile phone, tablet, laptop, personal computer, server, and the like below) with one or more preferred connections which include a wired connection and / or a wireless connection via the Internet through Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth, and / or through a cellular network. The communication of the external measuring device (e.g., wearable devices, wearable sensors, adhesive sensors, and the like below) with the dispensing device and the monitoring station can also be configured to allow wired and / or wireless connections.

B. Device

1. Mechanical parts

[0017] The system with the aim of improving the pharmacological compliance which is the subject of the present disclosure is comprised of a dispensing device. Figure 1 shows a dispensing device 10 by way of example of some embodiments. FIG. 2 shows different views 20 of the dispensing device 10 of FIG. 1. The casing of the dispensing device 10 can have dimensions of 30x40x35 cm. The lower part of the casing can have a square base and the upper part can be a truncated cone. The joint between the two parts can have rounded edges and corners. The casing can also be made of selected materials, not necessarily plastics, and can be provided in distinctive colors. The housing can be opened from above. Parts of the top cover21 can be made of a transparent plastic material22 for installing video cameras. These additional components can be programmed to seek confirmation of patient activity. A microphone can also be added to record video messages with audio data. Configuration parameters for camera features may be available to patients and / or healthcare professionals from online accessible configuration panels. Other functional designs in addition to the example shown in FIGS.1 and 2 may be preferred depending on the specific application envisaged and / or the functionalities implemented in particular embodiments.

[0018] As can be seen in FIG.2, the casing of the dispensing device 10 in the lower front part can have a drawer 23 which releases the planned doses by sliding out of it. The movement of the drawer23 can also be motorized. The drawer23 can also be designed to be large enough to facilitate the removal of medication for patients with limited hand movement. In this regard, an additional help may consist in delivering the drugs directly into the patient's hands or into a glass, even in combination with water. To this end, in other embodiments, the dispensing device can be equipped with a revolver disk 30 with a plurality of stations arranged on its lateral circumference, as shown in the example of FIG. 3. The stations can be placed in the operating position by rotating the revolver disc 30 to release any appropriate substance including a compact solid, liquid, powder, and / or gas. The stations may also have means for analyzing patient-supplied body samples. By way of example, physiological data can be collected by analyzing blood, urine and / or saliva. The movement of the revolver disc 30 can be controlled by motors. In these embodiments, the envelope can also be extended with a support to rest the hands or the glass on. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the drawer can be replaced by an opening, even with a motorized door, configured for any additional appropriate component such as a second touch screen adapted to exit the casing by sliding to serve as a keyboard. As presented in FIGS.1 and 2, the dispensing device 10 can be equipped with biometric sensors 24 placed on the casing for preliminary identification of patients before starting the drug dispensing process. Furthermore, reminders and alarms can be emitted by means of lights mounted on the enclosure and / or by means of loudspeakers mounted inside the enclosure. The characteristics of the lights and sounds can be indicative of the degree of emergency. For example, lights can be steady, flashing, of different colors, and / or of different intensities. LED-type elements can also be used. For visual disturbances, sounds with different themes and / or with different intensities can be implemented. Patients and / or healthcare professionals can access the configuration parameters for light and / or sound signals from configuration panels accessible online.

In preferred embodiments, a touch screen can be added to the casing of the dispensing device 10. It is known that such a technology facilitates responses by elderly patients to messages and / or inquiries. Personalized messages and / or surveys can also be scheduled so that patients can request medical assistance from healthcare professionals. Alternatively, the dispensing device 10 is provided with an external timer 25, as shown in FIGS.1 and 2.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the dispensing device 10 is also provided with external USB ports for connecting external devices. Furthermore, the parameters of the medical programs and / or of any other operation can be provided by the patients through a wired connection of a personal computer and / or a portable computer to the dispensing device 10. The dispensing device 10 may also be equipped with any other appropriate external port for the connection of input and / or output devices (for example, keyboard, mouse, printer, TV, screen, and the like below).

[0021] In the example of FIG.2, the casing of the dispensing device 10 is configured to contain four reservoir containers 26 for storing the drugs. In this particular embodiment, the reservoir containers 26 have the shape of a disc whose rotation can be controlled by a motor. Tank containers26 can be equipped with sealable compartments for planned doses. All reservoir containers26 can be associated with a single patient. In addition, the reservoir containers 26 can also be associated with different patients. To facilitate the process of loading and / or pre-loading drug refills into the dispensing device10, configuration parameters can be provided to set and / or change the activation order of tank containers26 and / or the registered order of tank containers26 already active in the casing. The reservoir containers 26 can be configured to be placed in the enclosure only according to a particular orientation. The advantage is that the next scheduled dose of the already active reservoir containers26 can be easily found after the loading procedure. This mechanism can also be exploited to discourage unauthorized access to drugs stored in the dispensing device10. Furthermore, biometric recognition of patients can be requested together with sending a notification for healthcare professionals.

[0022] In other embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing device 10 can be equipped with components which allow to further reduce the risk of errors associated with the preparation of the planned doses. The method preferably makes use of reservoir containers 26 without compartments, an internal video camera, software and automation elements configured to extract the drugs one by one. In some embodiments, the previously presented enclosure and / or the reservoir containers 26 can be modified to incorporate these components. The video camera can be used to scan an active tank container. The images recorded by the video camera can be processed by the software to recognize drugs on the basis of selective characteristics. By way of example, the selective features may include the color and / or shape of the pads, and / or a code printed on the pads. Once the planned drug recognition has occurred, the automation elements collect the drug for release. The software associated with the camera can be installed in the dispensing device 10. In order to process images faster, the software can also run on the monitoring station server. In some embodiments, reservoir containers 26 with compartments may also be used in combination with the video camera and software to provide an additional form of control for the delivery of planned doses prepared in advance by patients and / or healthcare professionals.

2. Electronics

[0023] It is envisaged that a control unit adapted to implement the instructions executed to distribute the planned doses is mounted in the dispensing device 10. The control unit also implements the instructions performed by the speakers and lights to issue reminders and alarms. The control unit can be equipped with an internal memory. Additional memory elements can be supplied in association with the control unit. The memory elements may include technologies known in the art. In addition, the control unit can be further provided with an internal clock and / or an external timer 25, as presented above. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a communication unit is mounted inside the casing of the dispensing device 10. Through one or more preferred connections, the dispensing device 10 and the monitoring station are placed in communication with the control unit which implements the instructions for this purpose. The dispenser device10 receives from the monitoring station the parameters for defining medical programs, reminders, alarms, messages, and / or parameters for any other operation that must be performed by the components of the dispenser device10. The control unit can also implement instructions performed by cameras, microphones, for USB port operations, and / or for operations related to any additional appropriate port associated with input and / or output devices. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, the dispensing device 10 is equipped with a unit for collecting biometric data. The control unit implements the instructions performed for biometric recognition. The biometric sensors24 can allow the dispensing device10 to be activated with the settings associated with a particular patient. In the example of FIG.2, the dispensing device 10 is configured to allow up to four different patients. Biometric acknowledgment can provide confirmation for drug dispensing operations and / or patient reaction to reminders, alarms, and / or messages. Biometric recognition can be used for any other operation and / or any other communication that requires a verification, a finding, and / or a response. In addition, in some embodiments, a measuring device can be employed to collect physiological data. A unit associated with this function can be included in the dispensing device 10. Physiological data is transferred to the monitoring station through one or more preferred connections. The control unit can implement the instructions it executes for data collection and transfer. In accordance with new technologies that could be developed, biometric sensors24 can also be used for the collection of physiological data. In addition, other promising technologies for recognition based for example on face and eye analysis can be applied. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing device 10 can also be provided with a touch screen. The control unit can implement the instructions executed by the touch screen and / or associated with it. Such technology can make it easier for patients to respond to reminders, alarms, messages, inquiries, and / or any other communication addressed to them.

[0024] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing device 10 may also include a voice control unit. The control unit can implement the instructions associated with this component. Voice activated instructions can further help patients familiarize themselves with the dispensing device10 faster and better.

[0025] In still other embodiments, patient confidence and autonomy can be improved by adding home automation functionality. Appropriate equipment can be employed to perform various tasks such as maintenance and / or cleaning tasks. In addition, home automation elements can allow you to manage stocks of various products and organize purchases, even online. Home automation operations can be configured from an online configuration panel. The dispensing device 10 can be used to issue reminders and / or notifications for patients, and more generally to provide control over home automation elements. The control unit can implement the necessary instructions. The capabilities of a touch screen can further simplify the patient's task.

[0026] In other embodiments, the dispensing device 10 can be provided with other components in addition to those described in the present patent document. The instructions associated with the related operations can be implemented by the control unit. The dispensing device 10 is preferably powered by a common household electric current. Power saving modes can be part of configurations. In addition, internal batteries can be provided to ensure the normal distribution of drugs in the event of a power failure.

C. Monitoring station

1. Hardware

Embodiments within the scope of the present patent publication include a monitoring station. Its communication with the dispensing device 10 is based on one or more preferred connections, as presented previously. The monitoring station includes a remote server for data processing and a database for data storage. Cloud-based resource technologies can be applied.

2. Software

In some embodiments of the present patent publication, a software environment can be provided to process the data received from the dispensing device 10 in an appropriate format for storage in the database and for quick access by means of analysis tools available for patients and for healthcare professionals from configuration panels accessible online. In addition, the software environment can also include applications that allow you to program scheduled operations in the dispensing device10. The configuration panels accessible online can be used by patients and healthcare professionals to introduce parameters for defining medical programs and / or other operations including reminders, alarms, messages, and / or requests for telephone calls to the station monitoring.

The system presented here may be provided with a software environment for enhanced medical assistance to patients. It is envisaged that the system can be equipped with configuration panels accessible online for patients and healthcare professionals. The configuration and functions of the configuration panels accessible online may differ for patients, doctors, and / or pharmacists.

[0030] In one or more embodiments of the invention, the configuration panels accessible online can be provided with a main menu page which further branches into other menu pages associated with items that group operations connected to each other. This procedure can be iterated as many times as necessary.

FIG.4 shows the main functions and functionalities that may be available from the configuration panel for patients40. In some embodiments of the invention, the main menu page may include an item associated with a button called personal information. The items in the menu page associated with the personal information button can allow you to configure the software environment settings. Settings may include your password, home address, billing address, delivery address, addresses of trusted individuals, and / or addresses of healthcare professionals. This information can be completed with telephone numbers and / or e-mail addresses. The menu for the personal information button can further provide an item that allows you to configure the definition settings for a preferred course of action in case of emergencies. An additional item can also be provided to configure settings related to periodic reports on patient status and / or patient activity. The report can also be output in a simplified form to facilitate processing from a touch screen added to the dispensing device 10.

Referring to FIG.4, in some embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for patients 40 may include an entry associated with a button called medical program and compliance rates. Selecting this item gives access to the details of the medical program which may include for each drug prescribed the period of intake, times, doses, recommended time intervals for intake, the prescribing physician, and / or the dispensing pharmacy . In addition, updated compliance rates can be provided for each drug and / or each treatment, including also usual schematic representations of compliance profiles. In preferred embodiments, all or part of this information may also be configured for greater compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen.

Still with reference to FIG.4, in other embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for patients 40 may include an item associated with a button called graphics. This item can allow you to view the temporal evolution of physiological data combined with compliance profiles and / or clinical outcome assessments for selected time periods (for example, one week, one month, three months, etc.). Settings can also be provided to obtain individual data points from appropriate time averages. By way of example, intra-daily (e.g., 15-minute, 30-minute, or 45-minute), daily, weekly and / or monthly intervals can be selected. In addition, compliance profiles may be available for individual drugs and / or treatments. All or part of this information can also be simplified to be made available also starting from a touch screen added to the dispensing device 10.

Again with reference to FIG.4, in some embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for patients 40 can be provided with an item that allows direct communications to be established with healthcare professionals. This feature can be configured to optionally send copies of messages by e-mail and / or SMS (ie acronym for short message service in English) to addresses or telephone numbers specified by the patient. The option to generate notifications by email, SMS or similar for sent messages can also be provided. Communication can be simplified by means of personalized messages configured to address possible scenarios in case of worsening of the disease. In addition, medical care can be further improved by means of pre-set personalized investigations that can be initiated by the patient to request instructions and / or interventions. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the communication can be configured in such a way that a touch screen added to the dispensing device 10 can facilitate the patient's task.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the functionalities of a touch screen added to the dispensing device 10 can be used to submit preset questionnaires to patients. This tool has the advantage of refining medical care and speeding up interventions. With reference to FIG. 5, the entire questionnaire and / or individual questions thereof can have a tree structure. Therefore ', child-type points further specify parent-type points. By way of example, the first basic selection can make it possible to identify the treatment and in turn the prescribing physician to whom the communication is addressed. In the next step, the patient may be asked to distinguish between disease worsening, drug side effects, or motivation support. If the patient selects the side effects of drugs, he may be asked to further specify details such as hunger, fatigue, sleep disturbances, fever, headache, etc. Once a particular side effect has been selected, the patient may be asked to specify the circumstances in which the symptoms appear. In the next step, the patient may also be asked to indicate recent changes in his lifestyle. As shown in FIG.5, this procedure can be iterated in such a way that interventions that are as effective as possible are processed. In FIG. 5, for level n + 1 the index that distinguishes the position of the parent point in level n is omitted to keep the notation simple. Questionnaires based on a tree structure can allow to highlight the main determining factor of a critical situation, thus offering clear indications for direct interventions. More complex questionnaires can be prepared for example by accepting multiple selections of child points for a given parent point. Likert-type scales can also be used to gather useful information. Furthermore, the procedure can be made interactive by generating subsequent questions in the questionnaire based on previous selections, evaluations, and / or combinations thereof. But predictive algorithms can also be applied to assemble the entire questionnaire or parts thereof in response to the patient's recent activity and / or condition. For example, this variant can make it possible to identify and communicate first aid interventions even more efficiently.

Referring again to FIG.4, in some embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for patients 40 may provide an entry giving access to communications received from physicians. Communications may include advice, investigations, and / or interventions motivated by monitoring the patient's condition and / or activity. In addition, the status of the clinic visits can be provided and pre-set messages can be used to organize the next clinic visits. Preferably, communications can be configured to aid patient response with a touch screen. An additional benefit related to touch screen technology is that instructions can be given when medications are taken by the patient. As an example, the reminder to take medications with food can be presented. But the screen can also be used to give clues to the anticipated benefits of the drugs being taken.

Again with reference to FIG.4, in some embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for patients 40 can provide an entry for accessing the communications received from pharmacists. As with physicians, communications may include counseling, investigation, and / or interventions suggested by the patient's condition monitoring and / or activity. Drug refill management status can also be provided. In addition, personalized messages can be used for organizing upcoming drug refills. Preferably, the communications can be configured in motion such that patient response can be simplified with the use of a touch screen added to the dispensing device 10.

In still other embodiments of the invention, patient communication with health care professionals may also include video messages. The advantage is that the condition of the patients can be assessed by means of video recordings. Instructions from healthcare professionals can also be provided with video messages if preferred. Additionally, video sequences can be recorded when patients request the next scheduled medications as further confirmation that the medications are actually ingested. The features of the cameras can be configured to improve compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen added to the dispensing device10. In addition, pre-set questionnaires can be submitted as presented above also in combination with the video features. As an example, instructions can be communicated with pre-set personalized messages and video sequences can be recorded simultaneously. And the data acquisition procedure can be made more interactive by analyzing video and / or audio information, and / or by enabling voice-activated instructions.

Referring to FIG.4, in still other embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the patient setup panel 40 may include an entry that allows access to calendar functionality. This feature can provide an overview of scheduled visits and / or scheduled drug refills. To reinforce control, scheduled events can only be removed from patients with the approval of the concerned healthcare professional requested with a notification message. To facilitate the patient's task, pre-set messages can be activated to organize upcoming visits with doctors and / or to organize next home deliveries of drugs with pharmacists. In preferred embodiments, the calendar functions may also be configured to facilitate compatibility with a touch screen added to the dispensing device 10.

[0040] With reference below to FIG.6, it shows the main functions and functionalities that can be available from the configuration panel accessible online for doctors and pharmacists60. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the main menu page can provide an item associated with a button called personal information. This item allows you to enter information such as a business address, home address, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and the like.

With reference to FIG.6, in certain embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for doctors and pharmacists 60 can be provided with a voice that allows to manage the text messages. The content of text messages sent to patients can be implemented in such a way that a response can be given by patients by means of a touch screen added to the dispensing device10. Various options can be provided for organizing text messages. Text messages can be sorted by date and / or by priority criteria '. In addition, the text messages received and sent can be organized into categories which include patients, doctors, pharmacists, and / or the monitoring station. Additionally, search functions can be provided for selecting text messages based on content criteria.

[0042] Still with reference to FIG.6, in further embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for doctors and pharmacists60 can be provided with a voice that allows to manage the video messages. As described for the text messages above, various functions can be provided to organize the video messages conveniently. Furthermore, the characteristics of the video messages can be implemented in such a way as to improve their compatibility with the functions of a touch screen added to the dispensing device10.

Again with reference to FIG.6, in some embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for doctors and pharmacists 60 can be provided with an entry associated with calendar functions. This item can allow you to organize visits for doctors and / or manage drug refills for pharmacists. In addition, the calendar features can also allow you to implement notifications and / or reminders for patients. For pharmacists, the option to prepare and package doses for immediate loading of the dispensing device10 may also be included. In addition, the packaging of drugs can also include sealing the compartments of the reservoir containers26. Pharmacists can also be provided with options to manage orders for home delivery of drugs.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 6, in still other embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for doctors and pharmacists60 can be provided with an entry that allows dealing with the electronic folders for patients, as in usual professional practice. Therefore, this information will be kept hidden from other health professionals. The protection of sensitive patient data can be ensured based on established privacy and security standards. Furthermore, the software can be configured to exchange data with centralized, probable development databases introduced by health systems at national and / or regional levels.

[0045] With reference to FIG.6, in some embodiments of the invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for doctors and pharmacists60 can include an item that allows to analyze the compliance profiles and / or the outcomes clinical patients. This item can give access to a list of patients equipped with search functions for the selection of particular patients. The information available to healthcare professionals may include drug distribution data and compliance rates for each drug and / or for each treatment. This information can also be combined with evolving physiological data and / or clinical outcomes for any treatment prescribed by doctors. The information can be extracted for selected time periods such as one week, one month, three months, etc. Individual data points can be obtained from averages over appropriate time intervals (for example, infra-daily, daily, weekly, and / or monthly windows). For clinicians, this item may include the additional option with respective menu items that allow you to evaluate patient outcomes periodically. As an example, the assessment of progress can be based on a scale of 1 to 10 with a score of 10 associated with the achievement of all objectives. The outcome assessment can also be supplemented with comments on the patient's condition.

Still with reference to FIG.6, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for physicians 60 may include an item that allows medical programs to be set and modified. Medical program definition parameters may include patient, medications, duration (i.e. start and end days), times, recommended intervals for intake, dosage, and / or selective characteristics for the recognition of the pads through image analysis as presented above. In addition, the option to schedule automatic messages, reminders, alarms, and / or surveys can be provided. These automatic operations can be scheduled in response to specific events identified by monitoring the patient's condition and / or their activity (for example, physiological data and / or compliance rates). By way of example, the memos may also include requests to collect physiological data by providing body samples to be analyzed with the means available from the revolver disk30. Furthermore, these automatic operations can be implemented for greater compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen added to the dispensing device10. The parameters for defining the medical programs and the parameters for configuring automatic operations are transmitted to the monitoring station to be programmed in the dispensing device 10.

[0047] Again with reference to FIG.6, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the main menu page of the configuration panel accessible online for pharmacists60 may include an item that allows to verify and / or modify the medical programs introduced by doctors. With reference to FIG. 7, pharmacists can propose changes to medical programs, for example if the onset of adverse effects represents a risk. A message with high priority can be addressed to the prescribing physician with a request to verify the medical programs if possible based on the aspects reported by the pharmacist. Pharmacists may also be given the option of scheduling automated messages, reminders, alarms, and / or inquiries in response to specific trigger events. These automatic operations can also be implemented to take advantage of the functionality of a touch screen added to the dispensing device10. The parameters for defining medical programs and the parameters for configuring automatic operations are processed as presented above for the configuration panels accessible online for doctors.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the online accessible configuration panels can also be activated for other healthcare professionals. For example, the technicians responsible for home delivery of drugs can have online access to a configuration panel to receive orders sent by pharmacists. Furthermore, for safe loading of the dispensing device10, they can make use of an external device to verify and / or to modify specific programmed parameters (for example, the activation order of the loaded tank containers26 and / or their order in the casing. ). Online accessible configuration panels can also be activated for nurses. In this case, it may be helpful to open a channel of communication for them with the patient, their doctors, and / or their pharmacists. In addition, nurses can also be allowed to schedule reminders and / or alarms. They may also be among the recipients of periodic reports relating to the patient's condition. Calendar features may also be available to nurses for safe organization of their work.

[0049] The invention in question in the present patent publication is described with reference to particular embodiments more suitable for the home care of elderly non-hospitalized patients. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art how to adapt the examples shown to other applications. By way of example, embodiments of the present invention may also include a one week portable device for dispensing drugs. Based on the principles of this statement, a machine can also be designed for the massive distribution of drugs in healthcare facilities (for example, homes for the elderly, clinics, and hospitals). In this case, a wearable device, which can also collect physiological data, can alert the patient to reach the dispensing machine to request the next scheduled dose. Furthermore, the touch screen of the dispensing device can be replaced by an external device such as a tablet placed in communication with the monitoring station. The monitoring station can also collect data from the dispensing machine.

[0050] It is understood that the preferred embodiments presented above are provided by way of example of possible applications. Various modifications and alternatives are possible without departing from the spirit and purpose of the statement. Furthermore, certain features described above can be realized separately or in combination. And furthermore, although the system exposed is based on a dispensing device that makes use of standard technology, known, available on the market (for example, control units, memories, motors, video cameras, speakers, lights, communication elements, servers, etc. .), other inventions cannot be obtained without departing markedly from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Hence, it is understood that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the concept, scope and spirit indicated by the claims set forth below.

Claims (9)

1. System to aid drug compliance including: - a device (10) adapted to distribute drugs according to plans; - a server, equipped with a database, placed in communication with the device, used as a monitoring station; - a software environment configured to provide adequate assistance to patients for the taking of drugs and for the management of the disease state. System according to claim 1, wherein the device (10) further comprises the following: a casing housing at least one reservoir container (26) capable of storing any appropriate substance; drawers for the release of planned doses; revolver discs (30) capable of rotating to select at least one station from a plurality of stations, wherein each station is adapted to release any appropriate substance contained in the envelope and collect physiological data by analyzing any appropriate body sample provided by the patient; - a control unit able to implement the instructions performed to distribute planned doses, issue reminders, alarms, messages, requests for telephone calls and operations associated with any component of the device (10); - an internal clock; - motors suitable for controlling the rotation of the revolver discs (30) and the movement of any other mechanical part; - luminous elements suitable for emitting fixed and flashing lights, lights of different colors and different intensities according to the degree of emergency; - loudspeakers capable of emitting sounds with different themes with different intensity according to the degree of emergency; - biometric sensors (24) and an associated unit for the collection of biometric data; - a collection unit for the transfer of physiological data; - a communication unit for connection to external devices, where the connection can be made wired and wirelessly via the Internet, through a cellular network, or through another connection technology; - touch screens designed to interface patients with the system functions; - a timer; - of the first video cameras able to confirm the activity of patients and their condition; - microphones capable of recording audio data; - external and internal USB ports; - of the external ports and associated units for connecting an input and output device; - a voice control unit capable of providing voice instructions for all or part of the operations; - of the associated units for the recognition of patients, for the collection of physiological data and for the transfer of the same, in which recognition is optionally required for the identification of subjects, for confirmations, verifications, findings, answers from subjects and for authorized access to drugs to subjects, in which the subjects are any individual authorized to access the system functions. System according to claim 2, wherein the device (10) comprises: - of the second internal video cameras suitable for scanning the tank containers (26); - a software able to analyze the images recorded by the video cameras for the recognition of drugs on the basis of selective characteristics; - of the automation elements configured to collect once recognition i drugs selected for release. System according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the reservoir containers (26) are divided into a plurality of sealable compartments for dividing the doses. System according to claim 1, wherein the software environment comprises applications which allow you to perform operations including: - allow the server to communicate with the dispensing device (10) and manage the storage of data; - processing the data received from the dispensing device (10) and stored in the database, implementing scheduled operations in the dispensing device (10); - interface patients, healthcare professionals, or another individual with the monitoring station through configuration panels accessible online, where the configuration and functions of the configuration panels are accessible online and may differ from user to user in a specific way according to the categories of the same. 6. Process for helping pharmacological compliance by means of a system according to one of claims 1 to 5 comprising an environmental software suitable for to interface patients, doctors, pharmacists, other healthcare professionals or technicians with the monitoring station, in which configuration panels accessible online include a main menu with items with submenu options that allow you to perform at least one operation between: - manage personal information and contacts; configure the definition parameters for a preferred course of action in case of emergencies; configure the definition parameters for receiving and creating periodic reports relating to the condition, activity and clinical outcomes of patients, in which all or part of the information is optionally configured for greater compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen; configure the definition parameters of the medical programs by specifying the patient, the diagnosis, the prescribing physician, the distributing pharmacy, the drugs, the period of intake, the times, the recommended time limits for the compliance, and the selective characteristics for the recognition of the pads; configure the reminder definition parameters including: - I and requests for telephone calls to the monitoring station, with also included the option to send notifications by e-mail, SMS, or other, automatic personalized text messages and automatic personalized surveys, including options that allow you to: (a) send all or part of the information by e-mail and SMS, (b) communicate notifications by e-mail, SMS and telephone calls and (c) implement the information for greater compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen, automatic personalized video messages, including also options that allow you to: (d) record video sequences, (e) communicate notifications by e-mail, SMS, and telephone calls, and (f) implement video message features for greater compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen, light and sound signals emitted by the dispensing device, including options to configure characteristics relating to the degree of emergency, requests for ra collect physiological data through appropriate available means, including options that allow you to: (g) send all and part of the instructions by e-mail and SMS, communicate notifications by e-mail, SMS and telephone calls and implement instructions for greater compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen; in which reminders are triggered by plans and gives trigger events based on the condition and activity of the patients and their trends; in which all parameters are transmitted directly to the monitoring station and programmed directly in the dispensing device; and where notifications are sent to patients, physicians, pharmacists and any other appropriate individual with access to system functionality; manage text messages, where this operation is further provided with functions that allow you to: h) write, read, print and delete text messages, send and receive text messages text messages to and from subjects, where subjects are patients, healthcare professionals, monitoring station and any other appropriate individual with access to system functionality, organize text messages into sent text messages and received, sort sent and received text messages by date and priority, organize text messages into categories for senders and recipients which include patients, doctors, pharmacists, monitoring station and any other appropriate category of individuals with access to system functionality, search for text messages based on content criteria, and send and receive notifications based on any predetermined pattern, where notifications are created in response to any predetermined operation and to any pre-established combination of the same, in which the operations are activated and performed by patients, doctors, far macisti and any other appropriate individual with access to system functionality; in which all or part of the text messages can also include the following options: all or part of the content of the text messages is communicated by e-mail and SMS, notifications of the same are communicated by means of e-mail, SMS and telephone calls and the content of the same is implemented for greater compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen; and where notifications are sent to patients, physicians, pharmacists and any other appropriate individual with access to system functionality; manage video messages, in which this operation is further provided with functions that allow you to: i) record, watch, download and delete video messages, send and receive video messages to and from subjects, where the subjects are patients, social workers, the monitoring station and any other appropriate individual with access system features, organize video messages into sent and received video messages, sort sent and received video messages by date and the degree of priority, organize video messages into categories for senders and recipients which include patients, doctors, pharmacists, the monitoring station and any other appropriate category of individuals with access to system functionality and video messages based on subject-related criteria; where the functions associated with video messages allow you to manage messages with only audio data; where all or part of the video messages may also include the following options: l) video messages are communicated by e-mail, notifications of the same are communicated by e-mail, SMS and telephone calls and the characteristics of the same are implemented for greater compatibility with the functions of a touch screen and with all or part of the functions associated with text messages; where notifications are sent to patients, physicians, pharmacists and any other appropriate individual with access to system functionality; and where the functionalities associated with text messages allow you to manage text messages with embedded video data; manage calendar features, where this is further provided with features that allow you to: m) organize medical examinations, including options for implementing notifications and reminders, organize drug refills, including options to: implement notifications and reminders, prepare, package and seal doses for immediate loading of the dispensing device, implement orders for home delivery of drugs; where notifications and reminders are addressed to patients, physicians, pharmacists, and any other appropriate individual with access to system functionality; n) configure the definition parameters for the activation order of the containers tank and for the order of active tank containers in the dispensing device; evaluate the progression of expected benefits with comments and scores; provide search functions that allow you to select patients and their groups from a list of the same organized in alphabetical order, in which the selection is made based on the condition, activity, trends of the same, drugs, diagnosis, and any other information available relating to patients; access the data of and / or the analysis of: o) compliance rates for each drug and for each treatment, compliance profiles for each drug and for each treatment, distribution data for each drug, physiological data, clinical outcomes for each treatment of each doctor, and drug refill data for each distributor pharmacy; where all or part of the information is available using at least the search capabilities; in which all or part of the information is displayed in appropriate representations with the option of selecting: appropriate time periods and appropriate time intervals to obtain individual data points from time averages; in which all or part of the information defines the condition of the patients and their activity; and in which all or part of the information is optionally configured for greater compatibility with the functionality of a touch screen; provide electronic record functions that allow for the organization of patient information kept hidden from other healthcare professionals relating to visits, condition and outcomes, in which the information is available at least using the search functions; configure the definition parameters for automatic text messages, surveys, and customized video messages, and for recording video sequences, in which this operation is further provided with options that allow you to: p) implement the content of the text messages and the characteristics of the messages video to facilitate patient responses with a touch screen, and to schedule: a plan-based activation, a patient-initiated activation, a response activation to trigger events based on the patient's condition and activity, and on their trends and periodic activation; manage home automation functions and associated equipment. 7. Process according to claim 6, wherein the software environment allows to perform one or more of the operations a) -p), and where all the parts of the software environment applications are configured to operate also on an external device able to be placed in communication with the dispensing device (10) through a connection with or without wires. 8. Process according to claim 6, in which the software environment allows to perform one or more operations a) - p) and where all the parts of the applications of the software environment are also installed in the dispensing device (10), in which all the functions of the applications are optionally configured for compatibility with the functions of a touch screen. 9. Apparatus for mass dispensing of drugs comprising a system according to one of claims 2 to 5 characterized by a plurality of reservoir containers.