Automated detection of a physical behavior event and corresponding adjustment of a medication dispensing system based on historical events

Abstract

An automated medication dispensing system provides for triggering a medication administration message when an inferred event is detected for which a medication administration message is to be sent. The event might be the start, the beginning, or an anticipation of a start, of an eating event, detected by an event detection module from gestures of a user from a set of sensor readings. The message can be a signal to medication dispensing apparatus, and / or a reminder message to the user, an ancillary message to a caregiver, health professional, or others. The medication administration message might comprise a signal to an input of an insulin management system or an input of a meal-aware artificial pancreas. The events might also include a drinking event, a smoking event, a personal hygiene event, and / or a medication related event.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 753,819, filed Oct. 31, 2018.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates generally to medication dispensing or management and more particularly to methods and apparatus for using sensors for tracking patient activity and deriving patient activity related to food intake for use in providing reminders to the patient or a caregiver about medication needs and / or signaling to a medication dispensing device to dispense a medication.BACKGROUND[0003]For some medical conditions, such as Type 1 diabetes, the scheduling and dosing of medication such as insulin depends on various factors such as the patient's current blood sugar levels and whether the patient is eating or drinking, and the contents of what is being consumed. Thus, knowing when someone has started, or is about to start, eating or drinking is relevant in the treatment of individuals with diabetes who are ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system that can change an electronic device to a better performance state when an event occurs. This can include adding more power to sensors, improving communication speed, and increasing sensor data collection rate. The sensors can include accelerometers and gyrosopes to measure movement and rotation of an arm. This system can improve the accuracy and responsiveness of wearable devices in detecting and responding to events.

Problems solved by technology

A person with Type 1 diabetes does not generate their own insulin in sufficient quantities to regulate blood sugar and may require insulin injections to maintain safe blood sugar levels.

Both overdosing and underdosing can lead to adverse conditions and long-term complications.

This can make managing the disease difficult, especially where the patient is a younger child.

Without this added information, the dosing system would be too slow to respond, as there are considerable delays in glucose readings and insulin diffusion.

Manual meal announcements introduce a significant burden on the patient and poor compliance results in degraded glycemic control.

Missed pre-meal insulin boluses are a significant contributor to poor glycemic control in Type 1 diabetes patients.

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