EP1600906A1 - Kommunikationsvorrichtung für die Haut einer Person - Google Patents

Kommunikationsvorrichtung für die Haut einer Person Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1600906A1
EP1600906A1 EP04102382A EP04102382A EP1600906A1 EP 1600906 A1 EP1600906 A1 EP 1600906A1 EP 04102382 A EP04102382 A EP 04102382A EP 04102382 A EP04102382 A EP 04102382A EP 1600906 A1 EP1600906 A1 EP 1600906A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electric communication
communication unit
pulses
series
anyone
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04102382A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jan De Geest
Wim De Geest
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP04102382A priority Critical patent/EP1600906A1/de
Priority to AT05749250T priority patent/ATE384318T1/de
Priority to ES05749250T priority patent/ES2301017T3/es
Priority to CNB200580017396XA priority patent/CN100535950C/zh
Priority to DE602005004411T priority patent/DE602005004411T2/de
Priority to CA2567688A priority patent/CA2567688C/en
Priority to EP05749250A priority patent/EP1766591B1/de
Priority to BRPI0511604-0A priority patent/BRPI0511604A/pt
Priority to PL05749250T priority patent/PL1766591T3/pl
Priority to US11/597,730 priority patent/US9082268B2/en
Priority to PCT/EP2005/052411 priority patent/WO2005119610A1/en
Priority to JP2007513936A priority patent/JP5186208B2/ja
Publication of EP1600906A1 publication Critical patent/EP1600906A1/de
Priority to JP2012052019A priority patent/JP2012180348A/ja
Priority to US14/591,297 priority patent/US20150199886A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G21/00—Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G13/00—Producing acoustic time signals
    • G04G13/02—Producing acoustic time signals at preselected times, e.g. alarm clocks
    • G04G13/021—Details
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0481—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers working on a schedule basis

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electric communication unit provided to be placed on a person's skin, said unit comprising:
  • the present state of the art offers some electric communication systems.
  • An example of such a system is described in the UK patent 2 386 207 which discloses a silent anatomic alarm system comprising an emitter wireless base unit and an anatomic wireless unit (electric communication unit).
  • the anatomic wireless unit is able to output an electric current onto the skin of the user on receipt of a signal transmitted from the base unit.
  • This device consists of two rings connected together, and provided to be respectively fastened, for example on a user's foot and on the user's ankle. This device is bulky and not operable outside the transmission range from the base unit.
  • the invention provides a unit according to the preamble of claim 1, characterised in that the electric communication unit is in the form of a patch provided to be placed onto the person's skin.
  • the electric communication unit according to the invention is more easy to manufacture because of its planar shape, is small, user-friendly, not bulky, discrete, etc. Moreover the unit is very easy to place because of the patch concept. In addition, by being in permanent contact with the body, the device is able to transmit the alert signal in a silent way and at any moment to the user's body.
  • said pulse generator of the electric communication unit further comprises a processing unit with a memory, said processing unit being provided:
  • Such an electric communication unit is completely independent of the base unit after being pre-programmed.
  • a user has just to enter the appointments or the administration time via the emitter base unit which will transmit a signal to the receiver-antenna of the electric communication unit.
  • Said receiver-antenna is connected to the pulse generator comprising a memory and a processing unit. Since the data is stored in the memory of the processing unit, the pulse generator will generate an activation signal when required, without requiring to be within the transmission range of the base unit.
  • the communication unit operates independently from the distance between the base unit and the receiver.
  • the signal and the activation signal may be the same or different signals.
  • these two signals are in fact a single signal. According to the invention, these signals could be different, but are not necessarily different.
  • the activation signal results from the signal emitted by the base unit, which has been processed by the processing unit and stored in the memory to be sent in an appropriate time during the day or the night to the body contacts.
  • said series of electric pulses have a voltage ranging from 20 Vdc to 150 Vdc, preferably from 50 Vdc to 100 Vdc and more preferably around 75 Vdc.
  • This feature allows discretion, indeed only the user perceives the activity. No other person will notice the alert signal. Moreover, this feature allows the unit to be particularly safe.
  • the pulses have a width comprised between 1 ⁇ s and 1 ms, preferably between 5 ⁇ s and 200 ⁇ s and more preferably around 30 ⁇ s and wherein the period between pulses ranges from 1 ms to 10s, preferably from 10ms to 1 s and more preferably around 200 ms.
  • said series of pulses further comprises a plurality of bursts, each burst comprising a set of pulses, said bursts being separated form each other by a period of time without pulses. This allows to spread the output electric current, for example, in order to gently awake sleeping people or to not surprise working people, etc.
  • the patch comprises an adhesive layer such as Macfilm F 2023 commercially available from MacTac®, or the like.
  • an adhesive layer such as Macfilm F 2023 commercially available from MacTac®, or the like.
  • the invention relates to an electric communication system comprising said electric communication unit, a base unit, wherein said base unit is a wireless transmitter to transmit said signal to said electric communication unit without opening a unit packaging enclosing said communication unit.
  • the medicine packaging may contain one or more communication units according to the invention.
  • the wireless programming allows the pharmacist to program the unit without opening the medicine packaging.
  • the therapy may comprise the administration of a tablet twice a day during the first week, once a day during the second week, etc.
  • the activity moment or frequency have to be easy programmable.
  • Several means can be used to program the unit according to the invention. This could be done during manufacturing by hard coding the content of the memory, or "on site" at user location or also for example, by the pharmacist when selling some medicine.
  • the power source of the unit according to the invention is advantageously not used during this step.
  • the wireless transmitter can be an RF transmitter, an inductive transmitter , a capacitive transmitter, an infrared transmitter, an acoustic transmitter or the like, comprising means allowing to program while avoiding the opening, for example, of the medicine or of the patch packaging.
  • the most preferred transmitter is an inductive RF transmitter since it does not use the power source from the communication unit when storing the data into the memory.
  • the patch and the patch packaging are provided with predefined dimensions to be added to plenty of existing medicament packaging. Of course, patches included into the medicine packaging can also be pre-programmed during manufacturing (hard coded).
  • the invention relates also to the use of the electric communication system according to the invention in a medicine therapy to remember the timely administration of a medicine.
  • the use in a medicine therapy as referred herein comprises either the use in which the patch is used to remind the patient to take his or her medicine, the use in which the patient wears a separate transdermal patch and in which the patch reminds the patient that his or her transdermal patch should be changed or replaced or another use in which time could be an important factor.
  • the adhesive layer of the patch according to the invention may comprise various active agents usually used in a conventional transdermal patch therapy. This means that in common patches, the active agent is combined, possibly by using a membrane layer, with the adhesive layer to penetrate to the skin of a person.
  • the patch according to the invention can be manufactured in such a manner that the adhesive layer of the patch also comprises the active agent. By this way, the communication unit (the patch) will remind the patient to remove or to replace his or her patch.
  • the electric communication unit can be used as a wake-up device. This allows to wake-up only one person when several persons are sleeping in the same room and to preserve the sleeping time of the others. Further, the unit can also be used, for example, to educate a dog for learning it to wake-up and go out when required during the night or at any other period of the day, or to any other end in which reminding of time is essential or required.
  • the cost of the patch can be low in comparison with the cost of the medicine.
  • the invention concerns a patch, in particular a thin (self)-adhesive patch which is stick to the user's skin.
  • the patch generates at pre-programmed or free programmable moments pulses. These pulses are felt by the human skin and remind the user to undertake a certain action, for example administrating a medicine.
  • Figure 1 and figure 2 show the components of the patch.
  • the support element 3 consists of a thin flexible synthetic material and is used as a printed circuit board (PCB).
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • the design of this PCB integrates a receiver-antenna 4, the contact elements 5 for generating contacts between the power supply 2 and the body contacts 7.
  • the electric components/ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 6 are positioned on the support element 3 and connected with the power supply 2, the receiver-antenna 4 and the body contacts 7.
  • the electric components/ASIC is forming the pulse generator 6.
  • the cover 1 consists of a thin flexible synthetic material and is used to protect all fragile electronic components against external influences.
  • An adhesive 9 is added on the bottom side of the support element 3.
  • the liner 8 consists of a thin flexible synthetic material and is stick to the adhesive 9 during the preservation of the patch. The liner 8 is removed just before the moment of application to the user's body. The adhesive 9 keeps the patch stick to the skin during the time of use.
  • the pulse generator of the patch generates at well-determined moments a series of electric pulses.
  • Each series of pulses has preferably a block wave form with the following properties as it can be seen at Fig. 3:
  • a burst comprises a set of pulses.
  • Exemplary values are the following: a burst preferably consists of 5 pulses with a duty-cycle of 30 ps/200 ms. The duration of a burst is generally consequently 1 s.
  • a series of bursts forming said series of pulses is called an activation, such an activation can be seen at Fig. 5.
  • This latter preferably consists of 10 bursts with a duty-cycle of 1 s / 1s.
  • the duration of an activation is consequently 20 s.
  • Each burst in this case comprises a set of 5 pulses.
  • the activation times or activation intervals are determined by means of a programming device or a base unit.
  • each burst can be different, each burst can comprise a different number of pulses, each series can be also different, and furthermore, the differences can be used to remember different step of the therapy, for example, 5 times three pulses could indicate to take the medicine and 3 times four pulses could indicate to remove another patch (a transdermal one) or the patch itself.
  • the clock's drift is preferably at most 1/10.000 (100 ppm). This means approximately 1 minute per week.
  • At least 200 activations (8-Bit address-bus) with an accuracy of 10 s must be able to be programmed. This means that a 16-Bit data bus is needed for a weekly schema (2 ⁇ 16 65536).
  • the programming of the chip uses wireless technology, identical to the system used for programming of an active RFID tag.
  • the distance between the programming device and the patch is small.
  • the maximum distance is preferably less than 0,2 m to avoid interference with current applications.
  • the pulse generator may advantageously comprise a receiver integrated therein, but it should be noted that the pulse generator may also be connected to a receiver, external to said pulse generator.
  • the receiver should not specifically be present into the unit once programmed. The receiver could be removed after programming or completely independent. If the programming of the unit is hard coded during manufacturing, no receiver is required in the communication unit according to the invention.
  • the energy needed for programming the (EE)PROM is, for example, delivered by the programming device by means of inductive coupling.
  • a few examples of existing chips with a similar goal are given at Table 1. Atmel T555714-DBW EM Microelectronics EM4450
  • the power supply could be any type of portable power supply, such as battery and the like. This can be a rechargeable or a non rechargeable depending on the duration of the use, the cost of the unit and the dimensions of the unit for a particular application.
  • a first possible concept is a generation of high voltage by use of induction. Hereto a set of discrete components (coil, diode and capacity) are needed.
  • FIG. 8 A second possible concept (figure 8) uses a capacity charge pump which can be incorporated in the ASIC itself (for example, HV 850 available from Supertex).
  • the memory of the ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
  • the points in time of activation are recorded.
  • the used technology is identical to that for programming of RFID tags (Radio Frequency Identification tags).
  • the energy needed for programming the communication unit according to the invention is delivered by programming device (base unit) by means of inductive coupling.
  • the memory can be (pre)programmed during in particular the production process of the ASIC or in a later phase during delivery by means of a programming device.
  • the hardware of this programming device is similar to that of an RFID-programmer.
  • the software offering a user-friendly way of programming, calculates the data to be stored in a memory using the given points of time.
  • the ASIC is only put in operation at the moment of first use of the patch. This is done to keep the power consumption minimal when not in use.
  • Starting the ASIC is managed by the block "power control" of the ASIC.
  • the start of the ASIC is based on the principle that, at the moment of first application on the skin, a small leakage current is caused which triggers the ASIC in operation.
  • Counter1 is a binary 8-bit counter and counts with a frequency of 32768Hz.
  • Counter2 ensures that all memory locations (256) are read out in a sequential way.
  • the FF1 is set when one of the 256 values is equal to the value of Counter1. After 20 seconds, FF1 is reset.
  • T2 en T3 are used as output-stage.
  • the electric communication unit is user friendly, the initialisation and the first use must be easy understandable for a normal adult person.
  • the electric communication unit should have sufficient preservation.
  • the preservation duration of the electric communication unit will preferably be function of the best before date of the medicine.
  • the electric communication unit should also moreover be removable if desired. At the end of the user cycle, or at any other desired moment, the system must be easily removable.
  • Another propriety of the electric communication unit is that it should be durable in soapy water. For practical reasons soapy water should neither damage nor detach the unit from the skin.
  • a further characteristic is that the electric communication unit will preferably be employable by an assistant taking the patient's place:
  • An assistant can take a patient's place if this is preferable considering the circumstances. For example parents can apply it on their own body to administrate their children's medicine correctly or geriatric helpers can use it instead of their elderly patients.
  • the invention has been described here with a preferred use in the context of a medicine therapy.
  • the invention can be used in a lot of different contexts, like, for reminding appointments, for awaking a mother just before feeding her baby, etc.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
  • Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
EP04102382A 2004-05-28 2004-05-28 Kommunikationsvorrichtung für die Haut einer Person Withdrawn EP1600906A1 (de)

Priority Applications (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04102382A EP1600906A1 (de) 2004-05-28 2004-05-28 Kommunikationsvorrichtung für die Haut einer Person
BRPI0511604-0A BRPI0511604A (pt) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 unidade de comunicação elétrica, sistema de comunicação elétrico, e, uso da unidade de comunicação elétrica ou do sistema de comunicação elétrico
PL05749250T PL1766591T3 (pl) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 Jednostka komunikacyjna dla skóry człowieka
CNB200580017396XA CN100535950C (zh) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 用于人皮肤的通信单元
DE602005004411T DE602005004411T2 (de) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 Kommunikationseinheit für die haut einer person
CA2567688A CA2567688C (en) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 Communication unit for a person's skin
EP05749250A EP1766591B1 (de) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 Kommunikationseinheit für die haut einer person
AT05749250T ATE384318T1 (de) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 Kommunikationseinheit für die haut einer person
ES05749250T ES2301017T3 (es) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 Unidad de comunicacion para la piel de una persona.
US11/597,730 US9082268B2 (en) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 Communication unit for a person's skin
PCT/EP2005/052411 WO2005119610A1 (en) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 Communication unit for a person's skin
JP2007513936A JP5186208B2 (ja) 2004-05-28 2005-05-26 確認装置および確認システム
JP2012052019A JP2012180348A (ja) 2004-05-28 2012-03-08 人に報知する方法
US14/591,297 US20150199886A1 (en) 2004-05-28 2015-01-07 Communication unit for a person's skin

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04102382A EP1600906A1 (de) 2004-05-28 2004-05-28 Kommunikationsvorrichtung für die Haut einer Person

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1600906A1 true EP1600906A1 (de) 2005-11-30

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Family Applications (1)

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EP04102382A Withdrawn EP1600906A1 (de) 2004-05-28 2004-05-28 Kommunikationsvorrichtung für die Haut einer Person

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EP (1) EP1600906A1 (de)
CN (1) CN100535950C (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3321899A1 (de) * 2016-11-10 2018-05-16 Therasolve NV Elektronische kommunikationseinheit für ein klebepflaster

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012023565A (ja) * 2010-07-14 2012-02-02 Sony Corp 通信システム並びに通信装置
CN102179002B (zh) * 2011-04-28 2013-12-25 上海交通大学 基于肢域网的功能性仿生电刺激系统
JP6847585B2 (ja) * 2016-03-30 2021-03-24 日東電工株式会社 貼付製剤の管理方法、貼付製剤の管理モジュールおよび貼付製剤デバイス

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4708716A (en) * 1983-08-18 1987-11-24 Drug Delivery Systems Inc. Transdermal drug applicator
US5686882A (en) * 1996-02-20 1997-11-11 Giani; Sandra M. Silent alarm band
US6175763B1 (en) * 1996-03-29 2001-01-16 Alza Corporation Electrotransport drug delivery device having tactile signaling means
GB2386207A (en) * 2002-12-11 2003-09-10 Sulaimaan Lloyd Samuel Silent anatomic alarm system

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU699774B2 (en) * 1995-06-05 1998-12-17 Alza Corporation Device for transdermal electrotransport delivery of fentanyl and sufentanil

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4708716A (en) * 1983-08-18 1987-11-24 Drug Delivery Systems Inc. Transdermal drug applicator
US5686882A (en) * 1996-02-20 1997-11-11 Giani; Sandra M. Silent alarm band
US6175763B1 (en) * 1996-03-29 2001-01-16 Alza Corporation Electrotransport drug delivery device having tactile signaling means
GB2386207A (en) * 2002-12-11 2003-09-10 Sulaimaan Lloyd Samuel Silent anatomic alarm system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3321899A1 (de) * 2016-11-10 2018-05-16 Therasolve NV Elektronische kommunikationseinheit für ein klebepflaster

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN100535950C (zh) 2009-09-02
CN1989532A (zh) 2007-06-27

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