ES2576802A1 - System for the control of the adherence of medical treatments. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

System for controlling the adherence of medical treatments, comprising a package configured for the administration of drugs and for linking electrically with at least one base; said container presenting a main electrical track connectable with the base so that said main electrical track is susceptible to being electrically powered from the base, a server capable of storing and processing data generated by the link between the container and the base having been provided; being the present system used together with a procedure of connection to elderly people, children or children with some type of disability, which make it manageable without difficulty on their part. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF THE ADHERENCE OF MEDICAL TREATMENTS OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this application is to register a system and a procedure for the adherence control of medical treatments that incorporate notable innovations.

More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a system that allows in a simple way through a procedure to control the adherence to a medical treatment of a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, older people enjoy a longer life expectancy than in previous generations; This fact will undoubtedly increase in the future. A large percentage of the elderly population prefers to continue living autonomously in their homes enjoying their independence, to live with caregivers and therefore experience a loss of freedom. This situation creates a problem for their family environment or even for health personnel, who need to know if their older relatives are well and if, for example, the medication prescribed by health personnel is being administered.

The problem of control over the correct administration of medicines may also arise in the case of children or patients with some type of disability.

To this end, devices such as inhalers have been devised in which complex integrated electronic systems are incorporated that register and warn of any incidence in the correct administration of the medication. By their own configuration, these devices can present a complex fabrication and manipulation. In the first case, it generally translates into higher manufacturing costs (and therefore a reduced diffusion), a propensity for breakdowns with the consequent lack of control over proper administration; and in the second case it may mean that those elderly, child or patients with some type of disability cannot correctly manipulate the device

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and therefore not be properly controlled. Additionally, these types of devices are not compatible with conventional inhalers, since they require their own configuration.

Another problem that arises with this control over the correct administration of a medication, lies in the management and access of the data generated from the posture of the medication. The use of social networks to disseminate medical knowledge and generate communities of patients in which they can share their opinions and experiences is known. However, these social platforms present a serious problem in terms of data privacy.

There are also electronic devices that allow geolocation of patients and / or monitor fundamental aspects of them. These devices are characterized by being intrusive, having a complex structure and complicated handling for patients, especially in the cases described above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in order to provide a system that will be used together with a procedure for the adherence control of medical treatments that solves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be apparent from the description that is attached below.

It should be noted that the present invention is not part of any diagnostic method or part of any method of treatment on the human body. The scope of application of the present invention is limited only to control over adherence to a treatment (medication) previously prescribed by qualified personnel and after a corresponding diagnosis has been made. In addition to its nature, the invention does not require that it be carried out by a doctor or under its supervision.

The object of the present invention is therefore a system for the control of adherence of medical treatments, comprising at least one package configured for the administration of medicaments and for electrically binding with at least one base; wherein said package has at least one main electric track connectable with the

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base so that said main electric track is capable of being electrically fed from the base, at least one server having been able to store and process data generated by the link between the container and the base has been provided.

Thanks to these characteristics, an easy to handle and simple configuration system is achieved, in which the package does not contain any electronic element unlike the state of the art and does not require any type of battery or similar, facilitating its integration into existing containers. The present device can be handled without difficulty by elderly people, children patients or with some type of disability, since it does not have to carry out any action on the container; Simply link it to your base.

Preferably, the package comprises a marker provided with at least a first secondary electric track connectable to a pair of first major electric tracks, said first secondary electric track being configured such that the relative distance between each of the pair of first major electric tracks, described said relative distance along the length of the first secondary electric track, is variable. Preferably the marker is rotatable with respect to an axis, the first secondary electric track having an at least partially circular path.

The package may also comprise a switching device that can be connected respectively to each of the second main electric tracks, such that both second main electric tracks are switchable with each other. Additionally, the package can also comprise a third main electric track.

In a preferred embodiment the container may be an inhaler.

For its part, the base has at least one connector that can be linked to a respective connector in the package; said base may comprise means to establish a data connection with the server and be configured to connect to an external storage device.

Thus, the use of the system and the procedure for adherence control of medical treatments has the following stages:

a) electrical connection of the container with the base;

b) reading and processing of at least one measurement indicated on the package;

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c) receipt of the measure by the server; Y

d) assignment of the measure to at least one data link.

Thanks to these characteristics, a simple procedure is achieved to control medication adherence in elderly patients, children or with some degree of disability. Simply by linking the container and the base, the necessary measures to control and manage adhesion are achieved. The patient does not need any technical knowledge to handle it.

Said data link may be linked to at least one user; in this way the user can use the data link to store and share information with other users that are part of the same model. This link is generated so that the user is informed about someone or some specific topic.

Data links are organized in lists of data links; These lists work like a link that controls other links.

On the other hand, the measure is assigned to at least one value within the data link. The measurement can be for example the number of doses consumed from the container, its correct administration or the date of administration. The measures are elements in which all the data of a link is stored, and the nature of these measures is heterogeneous, for example, it can be numeric or alphanumeric.

The values associated with each measure have an unstructured nature

In the procedure, at least one label can be associated with the measure. This label helps to organize the measures, for example to select which measures can be shared with other users.

Other features and advantages of the system and procedure for the adherence control of medical treatments objects of the present invention will be apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the drawings. that accompany, in which:

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Figure 1.- It is a schematic perspective view of a system according to the present invention;

Figure 2A.- It is a schematic elevation view of an inhaler as an example of a package of the system object of the present invention;

Figure 2B.- It is a schematic perspective view of the inhaler of Figure 2A; and Figure 3.- It is a schematic view of the connections between secondary electric tracks and main electric tracks.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the aforementioned figures and, according to the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

In Figure 1 a system 1 can be seen for the adherence control of medical treatments, comprising a container 2 configured for the administration of medications. Preferably, the container 2 is an inhaler although it will be obvious that it may be applied to other cases such as blister or the like (not shown). It should be noted that an inhaler is used as an example for container 2, of those available on the market, so that the typical operation of the inhalers will not go into detail when the medication is administered.

The container 2 is configured to be electrically linked to a base 3, for this purpose the base 3 has at least one connector 53 capable of being linked to a respective connector 52 in the package 2. The types of connectors used may be any available on the market that allow to establish an electrical connection between container 2 and base 3.

The package 2 comprises a main electric track 21 capable of being electrically fed from the base 3 through the connectors 52, 53. The package 2 comprises a marker 22 provided with at least a first secondary electric track 23 connectable in this case to a pair of first main electric tracks 21; the pair of first main electric tracks 21 being associated with the connector 52. On the other hand, the marker 22

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It is rotatable with respect to an axis E, and the first secondary electric track 23 has an at least partially circular path as can be seen in Figure 3. In this case it can be seen that a circular portion and another straight one are joined together, although it will be Obviously, the layout of the first secondary electric track 23 may describe any appropriate geometric shape.

The first secondary electric track 23 is configured such that the relative distance between each of the pair of first main electric tracks 21, said relative distance along the length of the first secondary electric track 23, is variable. Preferably, the pair of first main electric tracks 21 would be maintained in a fixed relative position to each other, a first main electric track 21 would be linkable with the first secondary electric track 23 through the central zone of the marker 22, close to the E axis, and the other first main electric track 21 could be linked to the first secondary electric track 23 by the perimeter zone of the marker 22. With this configuration a way of controlling the number of administered doses is established.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, the package 2 further comprises a switching device 24 connectable respectively to each of a second main electric tracks 25, such that both second main electric tracks 25 are switchable to each other. With this configuration a way of controlling the correct administration of the medication dose is established.

Both the marker 22 and the switching device 24 are linked to a button 27 or similar, and after pressing the button 27, a known mechanism transmits the transformed movement, so that a rotation of the marker 22 on the axis E is caused and in parallel switching device 24 is operated. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, it can be seen how the marker 22 comprises a series of marks 221, for example numbers arranged in an orderly manner on a face 222 or a perimeter edge 223 of the marker 22 in circular coin shape that can rotate on the E axis, so that with the rotation of the marker 22 the user can see the corresponding mark 221 with the number of doses applied by the container 2.

It should be mentioned that the arrangement of the E axis with respect to the container 2 may vary depending on the needs, so that the E axis is substantially parallel to the length of the container 2 or substantially perpendicular to the length thereof.

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The package 2 also comprises a third main electric track 26 also associated with the connector 52.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the present system 1 for the control of adherence of medical treatments, also comprises a server 4 capable of storing and processing the data generated by the link between the container 2 and the base 3. For this purpose base 3 preferably comprises means for establishing a data connection with server 4. Said connection could for example consist of an internet connection or a local network, although it will also be possible that base 3 is configured to connect to a storage device external (not shown) such as through the USB standard. Figure 3 shows the relationship between the base 3 and the server 4 by means of broken lines, since a physical connection between the two is not mandatory.

Thanks to the configuration of the present invention, the user can use the container 2 independently of the base 3 and the server 4. In fact, the operation of the entire dosing mechanism of the container 2 is mechanical and without electronic intervention, The user will dose the medication as is done in conventional inhalers.

The user will fully press the button 27 and as already mentioned above, a rotation of the marker 22 on the axis E is caused and in parallel the switching device 24 is activated. Thus the marker 22 and particularly the first secondary electric track 23 , it rotates in a rotational manner on its E axis and in relation to one of the first main electric tracks 21, specifically the one that is closest to the perimeter zone of the marker 22 in the realization. Therefore, the relative distance between the first two main electric tracks 21, measured along the first secondary electric track 23, has been modified once the button 27 has been operated.

On the other hand, after a correct operation of the button 27, the switching device 24 will be closed mechanically, by means of some system known in the state of the art.

In the present preferred embodiment the connectors 52, 53 will have at least six contacts that are distributed between the three main electric tracks 21, 25, 26.

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When the user wishes to use the invention to carry out the corresponding control on the adherence to the medicament, he will follow a procedure with the following series of steps:

a) electrical connection of container 2 with base 3; in this case, the container 2 will be connected to the base 3 by means of the connectors 52, 53. The base 3 will present some type of electrical supply to supply electrical energy to the main electric tracks 21, 25, 26. In the first case, it is say the first main electric tracks 21, an electric circuit will be formed through one of the first main electric tracks 21, will continue on the first secondary electric track 23 and then on the other first main electric track 21;

b) reading and processing of at least one measurement indicated on container 2; As the marker 22 will have modified its relative position with respect to the first main electric tracks 21, the distance the electricity will travel along the first secondary electric track 23 will vary. Thus, by positioning a voltage and / or intensity meter (not shown) in base 3, it will be possible to calculate the position of said marker 22 and thus know the number of doses served. As stated in the present system 1 and procedure allows the reading and processing of at least one measure that is mechanically indicated on the package 2. Other measures that can be obtained are for example the one related to the correct dosage of the medicine thanks to the second main electric tracks 25, since the switching device 24 closes mechanically when the medicine is applied correctly, being able to close an electric circuit for the electricity fed from the connectors 52, 53 that crosses one of the second electric tracks main 25 continues through the switching device 24 in the closed position and follows the other second main electric track 25 back to the connectors 52, 53. In the base 3 the existence of a return signal through the connector 53 can also be determined, determining that the dose of the medication has been supplied correctly. A third measure that can be obtained with the connection of base 3 and container 2, is that relating to the positioning of the container 2 in the base 3. For this purpose the package 2 comprises, as already said, a third main electric track 26 linked to the connector 52. This third main electric track 26 is designed so that the base 3 confirms the presence of the container 2 in its corresponding location 31. If a base 3 processing unit (not shown) detects the signal coming from the third main electric track 26, it will start the

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supply of the rest of the main electric tracks 21, 25; It should be mentioned that in the present application, the measure may be numeric or alphanumeric.

c) receipt of the measure by server 4; the information regarding the number of doses and the correct dosage reaches the server 4 by any method of transmission of data of the state of the art, including the possibility of using external storage devices. This allows the user does not need to have a connection to a local network or the Internet, as can happen in remote locations. Y

d) assignment of the measure to at least one data link; once on server 4, each measure (number of doses, correct administration, etc.) is assigned to a data link to store and / or share the information, advantageously the measure is assigned at least to a value within the link of data. Thus, the information stored is for example the information related to the date on which the value was added, the input channel of the value and comments of the value.

The data link can be generated before the reception of the measurements and preferably said data link is linked to at least one user. It can be a direct relationship when the data link is generated by a user or an indirect relationship when the data link is shared with another user. A label can be linked to the measure to help users organize the measures, for example by marking the measures that can be shared with other users.

Data links are organized in lists of data links.

The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the materials used in the fabrication of the system and the process of the invention may be conveniently substituted by others that do not depart from the scope defined by the claims included below. .

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. System (1) for adhesion control of medical treatments, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one container (2) configured for the administration of medications and for electrically binding with at least one base (3); wherein said container (2) has at least one main electric track (21, 25, 26) connectable with the base (3) so that said main electric track (21, 25, 26) is capable of being electrically fed from the base (3), having provided at least one server (4) capable of storing and processing data generated by the link between the container (2) and the base (3). 2. System (1) for the adherence control of medical treatments according to the claim 1, wherein the package (2) comprises a marker (22) provided with at least a first secondary electric track (23) connectable to a pair of first electric tracks main (21), said first secondary electric track (23) being configured such that the relative distance between each of the pair of first main electric tracks (21), said relative distance along the length of the first secondary electric track being described (23), is variable. 3. System (1) for the adherence control of medical treatments according to the claim 2, wherein the marker (22) is rotatable with respect to an axis (E), the first secondary electric track (23) presenting an at least partially circular path. 4. System (1) for adhesion control of medical treatments according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the package (2) also comprises a switching device (24) respectively connected to each of a second main electric tracks (25), such that both second main electric tracks (25) with switchable to each other. 5. System (1) for adhesion control of medical treatments according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the package (2) also comprises a third main electric track (26). 6. System (1) for adhesion control of medical treatments according to claim 1, wherein the package (2) is an inhaler. 7. System (1) for adhesion control of medical treatments according to claim 1, wherein the base (3) has at least one connector (53) capable of being linked to a respective connector (52) in the package ( 2). 5 8. System (1) for adherence control of medical treatments according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base (3) comprises means for establishing a data connection with the server (4). 9. System (1) for adhesion control of medical treatments according to any of the preceding claims, in which the base (3) is configured to be connected to an external storage device.