SUBSTANCE OVERDOSE DETECTION AND TREATMENT DEVICE

A drug overdose detection apparatus that is configured to measure the blood oxygen level of a user and upon detection in a drop thereof provide administration of a substance to counteract the drug overdose. The present invention includes a housing that is configured to be worn by a user has an interior volume. Disposed in the interior volume of the housing is a substance administration assembly wherein the substance administration assembly includes a syringe member, a plunger member and a plunger driver. A motor is operably coupled to the plunger driver and facilitates movement thereof. A spring needle assembly is operably coupled to the substance administration assembly and includes a spring biased needle that is operable to inject into a patient so as to inject the substance. The present invention further includes an audio alarm and transceiver configured to provide alerts and transmit signals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to healthcare devices, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a wearable monitoring device that is operable to measure at least one biometric parameter of a wearer in order to diagnose a potential overdose of a drug substance such as but not limited to opioids and initiate initial treatment thereof.

BACKGROUND

Opioid's have been utilized for decades as a pain management drug for patients. This class of drug is inexpensive to manufacture and patient costs are relatively inexpensive. While there are commercial and health benefits to employing a pain management strategy with this drug class, there are serious challenge in the recreational realm of opioid use/abuse. Opioids and similar drugs while highly effective are also very addictive. Patients can become addicted to these drugs in as little as a week. As patients increase their utilization of these drugs there are inherent risks to their health.

An opioid epidemic has hit North America over the last decade and it has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths of patients many of which have resulted from an overdose. Most of these results from recreational, or non-monitored, use of opioids. Many of these deaths could have been prevented but monitoring of the patients being administered these drugs is challenging. In many areas the patients must submit to a monthly urine test wherein there urine specimen is tested to ensure the appropriate and/or prescribed amount of opioid is present. Outside of these types of test there are no other routine testing procedures. If an overdose occurs there are treatments that can help a patient survive such as but not limited to naloxone. However, if a patient is by themselves in an event of an overdose it is not likely that emergency medical care can be administered in a timely manner so as to potentially save the individuals life. It should be noted that the primary purpose of the invention disclosed herein is for the purpose of providing protection of an overdose for those individuals who intently use opioids as well as others who may fall into alternate categories of use. Another challenge with opioids is that this substance can be used to lace other recreational drug products in the heroin, fentanyl or other recreationally purchased pharmaceuticals and as such accidental overdoses are increasingly common.

Accordingly, there is a need for a patient monitoring device that can be worn by a person taking opioids, wherein the device can measure oxygen saturation and administer an overdose antidote in the event an overdose is detected automatically. It should be noted that the primary purpose of the invention disclosed herein is for the purpose of providing protection of an overdose for those individuals who intently use opioids as well as others who may fall into alternate categories of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a wearable drug overdose detection apparatus that is operable to utilize biometric measurements to detect an overdose wherein the present invention in a preferred embodiment is encased in a housing that is releasably secured to a limb of a patient.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an overdose detection apparatus that is configured to automatically administer an antidote wherein the present invention includes a oxygen saturation measurement element.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wearable drug overdose detection apparatus that is operable to utilize biometric measurements to detect an overdose wherein the apparatus further includes a central processing unit configured to provide operation of the present invention.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an overdose detection apparatus that is configured to automatically administer an antidote wherein the present invention includes at least one syringe.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a wearable drug overdose detection apparatus that is operable to utilize biometric measurements to detect an overdose wherein the at least one syringe has an antidote loaded therein and is operably coupled to a motor or is spring powered/motor released.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a wearable drug overdose detection apparatus that is operable to utilize biometric measurements to detect an overdose wherein the at least one syringe includes a spring loaded needle operable to inject into a wearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable drug overdose detection apparatus that is operable to utilize biometric measurements to detect an overdose wherein the motor or spring operably drives a syringe plunger.

Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide an overdose detection apparatus that is configured to automatically administer an antidote wherein the motor is further operably coupled to a lever switch to engage operation of the at least one syringe.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a wearable drug overdose detection apparatus that is operable to utilize biometric measurements wherein the present invention could further employ a servo style motor to operate the at least one syringe.

Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide an overdose detection apparatus that is configured to automatically administer an antidote that is battery operated and includes status indication lights.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable drug overdose detection apparatus that is operable to utilize biometric measurements wherein the present invention can further include a transmitter to provide notification to emergency healthcare personnel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the substance overdose detection apparatus100includes a housing10wherein the housing10includes a first portion11and a second portion12that are hingedly secured so as to provide access to the interior volume of the housing10. The housing10is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to plastic. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the housing10illustrated herein is exemplary only. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention it is contemplated that the housing10be formed in a small non-intrusive form that is adapted to be worn on an arm, leg or other body part with minimal to no-obstruction of regular movements. The housing10could be releasably secured to an arm of a wearer utilizing suitable materials such as but not limited to straps. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the housing10could be configured to be releasably secured to a belt or similar garment structure and wirelessly coupled to an oxygen saturation detector that is present on a finger or other body part of a user.

Disposed within the housing10are the operational components of the substance overdose detection apparatus100. The substance overdose detection apparatus100is operable to measure oxygen saturation for a wearer and upon detection of a rapid drop therein. During an overdose of an opioid a person will experience a rapid drop in oxygen saturation in their blood stream. It is the intention of the present invention to establish a baseline oxygen saturation level for a wearer and upon detection of a rapid drop therein administer an antidote in order to render emergency aid to the wearer. All of the elements discussed hereinafter can be embodied in alternate forms as a result of contemplated designs of the present invention. The substance overdose detection apparatus100includes a central processing unit15that is operable to provide operation and control of the substance overdose detection apparatus100. The central processing unit15is disposed within the interior volume of the housing10and includes the necessary electronics to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data. The central processing unit15is either directly or indirectly operably coupled to all of the elements of the substance overdose detection apparatus100.

The substance overdose detection apparatus100includes a substance administration assembly20. The substance administration assembly20is operable to store and deliver a substance such as but not limited to an antidote. The substance administration assembly20includes a syringe member22wherein the syringe member22is cylindrical in shape having an interior volume configured to receive and retain a substance. The syringe member22is mounted within the interior volume of the housing10so as to inhibit movement thereof. Operably coupled to the syringe member22is the plunger24. Plunger24is movably coupled with the syringe member22wherein the plunger24is operable to traverse through the interior of the syringe member22in order to facilitate the removal of a substance disposed therein out of the syringe member22into the spring needle assembly30via tubing27.

The plunger24is operably coupled to the plunger driver32wherein the plunger driver32is configured to provide movement of the plunger towards the syringe member22. The plunger driver32includes upper portion33that is configured to couple to the top34of the plunger24. The plunger driver32includes a lower portion35wherein the lower portion35includes teeth36formed thereon. The teeth36are formed so as to operably couple with the gear39driven by motor40. Motor40is operable to rotatably move the gear39wherein the rotational movement of the gear39moves the plunger driver32so as to facilitate the transfer of material disposed in plunger24to the spring needle assembly30via tubing27. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the motor40could be various types of electric motors such as but not limited to a servo motor. Additionally, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the gear39could be rotated at alternate revolutions per minute in order to deliver the substance disposed in the plunger24at alternate rates. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that an alternate driving mechanism utilizing a spring loaded syringe could be employed. By way of example but not limitation, a syringe/needle assembly could be employed that is controlled by a servo motor/switch mechanism.

The spring needle assembly30is operable to inject the needle51into a wearer of the substance overdose detection apparatus100. The spring needle assembly30is operably coupled to the central processing unit15and is configured to insert the needle51into the wearer subsequent receipt of a signal of a rapid drop in blood oxygen from the blood oxygen sensor70. The spring needle assembly30is positioned in the housing10so as to be adjacent the wearer and allow the needle51to be journaled through a small aperture therein(not illustrated herein) so as to penetrate the wearer's subcutaneous or intramuscular level. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the spring needle assembly30could be placed in alternate locations such as but not limited to on the exterior of the housing10to facilitate needle51exchange. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the spring needle assembly30could employ more than one needle. The spring needle assembly30employs a spring50that is operably coupled to a lever switch53. The lever switch53is configured to maintain the spring50in a biased compressed position. Ensuing receipt of a signal from the central processing unit15, the lever switch53will move to its second position wherein the spring50will be released and as such facilitate the injection of the needle51into the wearer. While a spring needle assembly30has been illustrated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the substance overdose detection apparatus100could employ alternate elements in order to facilitate the control and injection of a needle into a wearer of the substance overdose detection apparatus100. By way of example but not limitation, an insertable cannula could be employed to deliver a substance to a wearer of the substance overdose detection apparatus100.

The substance overdose detection apparatus100further includes a blood oxygen sensor70. As is known in the art, blood oxygen can be measure indirectly by light absorption through a person's pulse. When an individual is experiencing an overdose of a substance such as but not limited to opioids, the individual will experience a rapid drop in blood oxygen levels. Detection of this drop and subsequent administration of an antidote by the substance overdose detection apparatus100can be employed in order to potentially save an individuals life. The blood oxygen sensor70is a conventional blood oxygen sensor and is operably coupled to the central processing unit15and transmits blood oxygen levels at routine intervals thereto when a wearer is using the substance overdose detection apparatus100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that while the blood oxygen sensor70is illustrated in the housing10herein, that the blood oxygen sensor70could be a separate module to be secured on a body part such as but not limited to a finger. In the immediately aforementioned embodiment, the remote module would be wirelessly coupled or hardwired to the central processing unit15. While a blood oxygen sensor70is employed in the preferred embodiment of the substance overdose detection apparatus100, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the substance overdose detection apparatus100could utilize additional biometric sensors in place of and/or in conjunction with blood oxygen sensor70. By of example but not limitation, the substance overdose detection apparatus100could measure heart rate and respiratory rate.

The substance overdose detection apparatus100further includes an audio alarm75and transceiver80both being operably coupled to the central processing unit15. The audio alarm75is a conventional audio alarm that emits an audible signal in the event of administration of a substance by the substance overdose detection apparatus100. This provides the ability to alert those near an individual wearing the substance overdose detection apparatus100that assistance may be needed. Additionally, the transceiver80can be programmed to transmit an emergency signal to either a caretaker or emergency personnel. The transceiver80is a conventional transceiver that is operable to employ either cellular or wireless communication protocols to transmit a signal to one or more parties. The substance overdose detection apparatus100includes a conventional power supply90wherein the power supply90is operable to provide the necessary electrical power for the substance overdose detection apparatus100. Lights95are mounted into the housing10so as to be visible from the exterior thereof. The lights95are conventional LED lights that are utilized to provide status indication of parameters such as but not limited to injection status, power status or fault indication.