Abstract:
The medical information band is an electronic control unit removably attached to a band that may be worn by a user or attached to a medication bottle. The electronic control unit displays all the information of drugs that the user takes, and provides an electronic alert to remind the user when to take the medication, or when the medication has reached its expiration date. The electronic control unit includes a temperature sensor, and alerts the user when the medication must be moved to a different location with a more appropriate storage temperature. Moreover, the electronic control unit may also display the personal information and the health status of the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/582,802, filed Jan. 3, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to apparatus for prompting patients to take medication at prescribed times, and more particularly to medical information band that provides an electronic medical and prescription information storage band automatically programmable by the user or a health care professional. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Personal medical information devices of a variety of designs and configurations have failed to provide convenient functionality for users of such devices. More specifically, such previous devices have not addressed the unfulfilled need to display a variety of wearer body parameters, not just temperature only. Moreover, a variety of casings that could not only be worn by the user, but could also be attached to the drugs, would also be desirable. Additionally, calendars and alerts would be desirable. 
         [0006]    Thus, an electronic medical and prescription information storage band solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The medical information band is an electronic medical and prescription information storage band having an electronic circuit added to a band in order to make it a medical band. The band displays all the information of the drugs the users take. Moreover, the band also displays the personal information and the health status of the user. 
         [0008]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is an environmental perspective view of a medical information band according to the present invention, shown disposed on a wearer. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is an environmental perspective view of the electronic control unit of the medical information band of  FIG. 1 , shown removed from the band and attached to a pill box. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  is an environmental perspective view of a medical information band according to the present invention, shown disposed on a pill bottle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of the electronic control unit of a medical information band according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1E  is a block diagram of an electronic circuit for a medical information band according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an electronic circuit for a medical information band according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a screenshot of a medical information data entry screen and calendar that may be displayed on a medical information band according to the present invention, showing use of the calendar for entry of date information. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a screenshot of the medical information data entry screen that may be displayed on a medical information band according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a screenshot of the medical information data entry screen that may be displayed on a medical information band according to the present invention, showing exemplary entry of personal information. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a screenshot of the medical information data entry screen that may be displayed on a medical information band according to the present invention, showing exemplary entry of health status information. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The electronic medical and prescription information storage band  10   a  includes an electronic control unit  100  added to a band  12  to make a medical information band, as shown in  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIG. 1B , in an alternative configuration  10   b , the electronic control unit  100  can be removed from the band  12  and placed on a pharmaceutical package via, e.g., adhesive means. As shown in  FIG. 1C , in another configuration  10   c , the electronic control unit  100  may be attached to a pill bottle with a modified elastic band  13  adapted for fitting pill bottles. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1D  most clearly shows the housing of the electronic control unit  100  having push buttons  102   a  and  182   b , generally functioning as menu or value increment and decrement buttons, respectively. The substantially rectangular shaped housing has a mini LCD display  112  or OLED on its top face. LED lights  103  are also disposed on the top face of the housing. A side of the substantially rectangular housing of the electronic control unit  100  may also have an In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) or Universal Serial Bus (USB) port  114 , or RFID for wireless connection (without the need of a rectangular port in this case), for programming the internal electronic circuit. A rectangular cavity  116  extending end-to-end through the electronic control unit  100  is provided for a variety of band fasteners to allow a user to wear the device on a user&#39;s limbs, e.g., an arm or wrist. 
         [0022]    As shown in block diagram  FIG. 1E , the electronic control unit  100  houses an electronic circuit that includes a microcontroller  160  for automatic control of the internal circuitry. Push buttons  102   a  and  182   b  are connected to the microcontroller circuit  160  to provide user control of circuit functions. 
         [0023]    The microcontroller  160  is connected to and controls the functioning of the LCD display  112  and the multi-color LED&#39;s  103 . At least one temperature sensor  162  is connected to the microcontroller, the sensor  162  coordinating alerts and notifications based on a predetermined correct sensed temperature range (there can be a temperature sensor measuring ambient temperature and/or a temperature sensor measuring the wearer&#39;s body temperature). 
         [0024]    To facilitate downloading the medical data from a computer  181 , an ICSP cable  187  is connected to the microcontroller  160  via the port  114 , thereby enabling medical data software programming of the electronic control unit  100  by external programming circuitry  185  that transfers device software  183  developed on a PC  181  to the electronic control unit  100 . Alternatively, transfers of program software  183  to the electronic control unit  100  may be accomplished by a USB cable connection of the electronic control unit  100  to the PC  181 . A USB connection on the electronic control unit  100  facilitates connection of the electronic control unit  100  to a cellular mobile telephone, for example. In case of using the electronic control unit  100  on a device other than a band, a mini LCD is added to the electronic control unit  100 . A schematic of the internal electronic circuit  200  housed in the electronic control unit  100  is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0025]    Moreover, a buzzer or a recorded voice device may be added to the electronic control unit  100  for audible notifications and alarms. The LED&#39;s  103  are added to the electronic circuit for a visual alert or alarm. 
         [0026]    The electronic control unit  100  can be attached or detached from the band  12  easily to be patched to any other device, such as a mobile phone, or it can be patched on the medicine directly. 
         [0027]    The Mini LCD Display  112  Is used to display the functions shown in Table 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Display Functions 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FUNCTION 
                 DISPLAY 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Expiration Alarm 
                 Displays the expiration date and the time left 
               
               
                   
                 to use it in addition it will beep if the expiration 
               
               
                   
                 date is passed 
               
               
                 Specified Periods Alarm 
                 Displays and alarms the user about the time 
               
               
                   
                 for taking the drugs. 
               
               
                 Inappropriate Ambient 
                 Displays and alarms the user about the current 
               
               
                 Temperature Alarm 
                 ambient temperature and recommends the 
               
               
                   
                 appropriate ambient temperature for the drug. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0028]    If one of the Table 1 functions is passed or not satisfied, a message will be displayed on the LCD  112  to explain what went wrong. For example, in case of expiration alarm, if the expiration date of a medication is passed, a message will be displayed on the LCD  112  indicating, e.g., “Expiration Date is Passed,” and at the same time, the LED&#39;s  103  will blink. A unique color of multi-color LED&#39;s  103  indicates the current function. The Mini LCD  112  can be replaced by a 27-segment or more display, if desired. Moreover, the mini LCD  112  can be removed altogether in order to optimize the cost of the electronic control unit  100 . 
         [0029]    The push buttons  102   a  and  102   b  are used for manual setting of the electronic control unit  100 . For example, if we want to increment the expiration date, we push button  102   a , but if we want to decrement it, we push button  102   b . However, we can move to another function other than expiration date, e.g., the specified periods function, by simply pressing the two buttons  102   a  and  102   b  simultaneously. Moreover, we can reset the device in order to delete all the previous information by turning off (removing power from) the band. 
         [0030]    The ICSP cable  187  is used to transfer all drug information automatically to the medical information band including the amounts that should be taken for the drug. Next, an automatic transfer of the information to the microcontroller circuit  160  is performed. The newly transferred information is displayed on the LCD  112  without the need of being entered using the push buttons  102   a  and  102   b.    
         [0031]    The band  12  is a flexible and stretchable annular ring that carries the electronic control unit  100 . The band  12  is preferably made of rubber that stretches to accommodate many wrist sizes. 
         [0032]    The microcontroller circuit  160  is the main component in the medical information band. The microcontroller circuit  160  is connected to all sensor and user interface components of the medical information band and analyzes, organizes and processes all the band functions. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , which shows the circuit  200  in detail, and Table 2, which indicates pin functionality and exemplary component values, the detailed circuitry is disclosed herein. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Circuit components and values 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Symbol 
                 Name 
                 Value 
                 Function 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 U1 
                 microcontroller - 
                 — 
                 To implement the downloaded 
               
               
                   
                 PIC61F2550- 
                   
                 hex file on the circuit and it is 
               
               
                   
                 28 DIP 
                   
                 basically the main item of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 circuit 
               
               
                 LCD 
                 MINI-LCD 
                 — 
                 To display all the massages sent 
               
               
                   
                 DISPLAY 
                   
                 by U1 
               
               
                 DS1820 
                 DS1820 
                 — 
                 It&#39;s the temperature sensor 
               
               
                 Buzzer 
                 5 v-Buzzer 
                 — 
                 To generate a continuous or a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 constant beep sound 
               
               
                 LED1 
                 Tow colors 
                 — 
                 It&#39;s a two color (red and green) 
               
               
                   
                 LED 
                   
                 light emitting diode which emits 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 a blinking or a constant red or 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 green lights 
               
             
          
           
               
                 OCS 
                 Crystal 20 MHz 
                 20 
                 MHz 
                 To generates a clock signal and 
               
               
                   
                 Oscillator 
                   
                   
                 for frequency stabilization 
               
             
          
           
               
                 D1 
                 Silicon 
                 — 
                 To prevent the connection 
               
               
                   
                 Diode 
                   
                 between the VCC of the circuit 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 and the VCC of the PC when 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Uploading the program on U1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 C1, C2 
                 Capacitor 
                 22 
                 pf 
                 Works with the oscillator to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 generate a clock signal and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 for frequency stabilization 
               
             
          
           
               
                 S1, S2 
                 Push Button 
                 — 
                 Used for manual calibration 
               
               
                   
                 1, 2 
               
               
                 S3 
                 Double 
                 — 
                 It must be turned on when 
               
               
                   
                 Switch 
                   
                 uploading the program from 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 the PC and then Turned OFF 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 after it to prevent the Connection 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 between The Circuit VCC 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 and the PC VCC 
               
             
          
           
               
                 R1 
                 Resister 
                 10 
                 KΩ 
                 Its connected to MCLR pin 
               
               
                 R2 
                 Resister 
                 1 
                 MΩ 
                 To reduce the sensitivity of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 push button 1 input by discharge 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 the charges which accumulates 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 on the wire 
               
               
                 R3 
                 Resister 
                 1 
                 MΩ 
                 To reduce the sensitivity of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 push button 2 input by discharge 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 the charges that accumulate on 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 the wire 
               
               
                 R4 
                 Resister 
                 10 
                 KΩ 
                 It helps the temperature sensor 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 to work properly 
               
               
                 R5 
                 Variable 
                 5 
                 KΩ 
                 To calibrate the light intensity 
               
               
                   
                 Resister 
                   
                   
                 for the MiniLCD 
               
               
                 Battery 
                 Battery/ 
                 5 
                 v 
                 It&#39;s the power source for the 
               
               
                   
                 Rechargable 
                   
                   
                 Circuit 
               
               
                   
                 battery/Solar 
               
               
                   
                 cell recharge- 
               
               
                   
                 able battery/ 
               
               
                   
                 Body Heat 
               
               
                   
                 rechargeable 
               
               
                   
                 battery 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0033]    The temperature sensor  162  is used to measure the ambient temperature in order to transform it to electrical signal to be processed in the microcontroller circuit  160 . 
         [0034]    The digital multi-colored LED&#39;s  103  are used for alarming purposes, depending on the conditions shown in Table 3. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Condition 
                 Action 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Case 1: Expiration date is passed 
                 Both LEDs will emit constant red 
               
               
                   
                 color. 
               
               
                 Case 2: Specified period is passed 
                 Both LEDs will emit a blinking green 
               
               
                   
                 color. 
               
               
                 Case 3: Ambient temperature is not 
                 Both LEDs will emit a blinking Red 
               
               
                 within the drug normal ambient 
                 color. However; a recorded voice can 
               
               
                 temperature range 
                 be used for all of the previous 
               
               
                   
                 functions for people with vision 
               
               
                   
                 problems. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0035]    A buzzer (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is connected to the microprocessor  160  and produces a beep sound if the medicine expiration date passes. A recorded voice can also be used for all of the alert functions. 
         [0036]    ICSP  187  is connected to ICSP terminal on the programmer  185 . The ICSP cable  187  contains a plurality of wires, which connect to corresponding ICSP plug  187  and jack  114 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0037]    The programmer  185  is a MCUMALL (www.mcumall.com) model PRG-017. The programmer  185  is a USB-PIC programmer, which is used to download the hex file generated by a micro basic code, the hex file being machine loadable instructions and data for microprocessor  160 . 
         [0038]    The software program used to program this microcontroller is mikroBasic™. The code for this software is written in the Basic language. 
         [0039]    To make it easier and smoother in downloading the hex file, a Visual Basic program is used as a user interface, providing data entry fields for the medical information that is uploaded to the device circuitry  100 . The user is prompted to enter four main information fields. 
         [0040]    The Expiration Date and Notes GUI field  300 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , has a calendar, an expiration date pull down menu, and displays on the calendar a box outline, which refers to the Current date. The Expiration date, selected by the Exp Date pull down menu, is depicted by a shaded box over the calendar&#39;s displayed Expiration Date. The Days Remaining field informs the user how many days remain until the drug expiration date. The exemplary expiration date shown is Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. 
         [0041]    The Courses GUI field  400 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , has a “Courses:” pull down menu that allows the user to enter/select the number of specified times he should take the drug per day. The exemplary number of Courses shown is “3”. 
         [0042]    The Personal Information GUI field  500 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , has a “Personal Information:” text box field that allows the user to enter his basic main personal information including Name, Age, and Blood Type. The exemplary Personal Information shown is “Name: Fahad Age:24 Blood type: O+”. 
         [0043]    The Health Status GUI field  600 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , has a “Health Status” text box field that allows the user to enter any permanent diseases he suffers from. Moreover he may also enter his disease history. The exemplary Health Status shown is “Permanent Diseases: Diabetic Disease History: had a heart attack twice”. 
         [0044]    When the user is finished entering the aforementioned information he may now click upload then wait for the Uploading Process progress bar to fill up. 
         [0045]    In summary, medical information bands have different casings in which it is suitable for different sizes and shapes of drug packaging. The rubber band casing adaptation  10   c  is designed for round and cylindrical drug containers, or an alternative band casing  10   a  can be worn on a human wrist as well, whereas the sticker casing  101 ) can be mounted to any flat surface drugs container. Additionally, the medical information band electronic control unit  100  can be connected to a watch container, i.e., a watchband, for easily adjusting the size, depending on the wearer&#39;s wrist size and to get waterproof or airtight property as well. 
         [0046]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.