SYSTEM FOR TRACKING A HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for tracking a health-related behaviour, comprising a support and an electronic surveillance device having a casing, from which a first wall extends, a first portion of said wall extending from the casing in a plane that intersects the casing and being connected to the casing, and a second portion of said wall extending in a plane parallel to the casing, being connected by an end linked to the first portion and being provided with a second free end, wherein the first and second portions together form a slide arranged to cooperate with a wall of the support.

Claims

1. A system for tracking a health-related behaviour comprising: a support, and an electronic monitoring device for generating data indicating a health-related behaviour based on capture of events comprising a casing in which there is a power source and a processor, on which there is optionally a display device and from which a first wall extends, a first part of which extends from said casing in a plane intersecting the casing and connected to said casing and a second part that extends in a plane parallel to the casing, connected by one end joined to the first part and provided with a second free end, characterized in that said first part and second part together form a slide configured to interact with a wall of said support, and in that said device comprises a memory and a clock, both integrated in said casing.

2. The system according to claim 1, in which said casing has a wall facing said second part of the wall of said slide and at least one of either said wall or said slide comprising means for retaining said electronic monitoring device on said support.

3. The system according to claim r 2, in which said electronic monitoring device comprises a sensor configured for capturing an event of a health-related behaviour, preferably said sensor is a passive sensor, mechanical for example a push-button, physical, electronic, electromagnetic, luminous, chemical, preferably a sensor with low energy consumption.

4. The system according to claim 2, in which the second part of the wall of said slide comprises a first face and a second face parallel to the first face, said first face being exposed to the exterior and said second face being exposed to the casing, and is provided with a retaining means, preferably a lug, which extends from the second face to the casing.

5. The system according to claim 2, in which said retaining means further comprise a lug extending from said wall in the direction of the second part of the wall of the slide, preferably under the slide.

6. The system according to claim 2, in which said support is a socket.

7. The system according to claim 6, in which said socket is configured for being fixed permanently or temporarily to a base, said socket being provided with a wall comprising a lower face and an upper face from which two guide rails extend, each extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to the upper face of said socket, each rail being a sectional bar provided with a first wall extending perpendicularly to said upper face of said socket, along the latter, and a second wall extending approximately perpendicularly from said first wall and parallel to said upper face of said socket, said socket being configured for housing the electronic monitoring device.

8. The system according to claim 7, in which each first wall of said two guide rails comprises retaining means, for example at least one lateral projection, preferably opposite one another, and said second part of the wall of said slide comprises a first lateral face and a second lateral face, with each lateral face comprising retaining means, for example at least one slot, said slots being located on either side of said second part of the wall of said slide and being configured for housing said lateral projections of said socket, when the casing of the electronic monitoring device is housed in the socket, preferably by forced fitting.

9. The system according to claim 7, in which said base may be a medicine box, a tablet container, a weekly dispenser, a bottle, a garment, a piece of furniture, or a sanitary fitting.

10. The system according to claim 7, in which said lower face of said socket comprises an adhesive, for example of the double-sided type, self-gripping means, or a repositionable pressure-sensitive silicone.

11. A use of a system for tracking a health-related behaviour according to any one of the preceding claims, for measuring a patient's compliance with a prescribed dosage.

Description

[0069] Other embodiments of the use of the system for tracking a health-related behaviour are presented in the accompanying claims.

[0070] The invention will now be described in more detail, referring to the appended figures.

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the electronic monitoring device according to the present invention.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the system according to the present invention showing the electronic monitoring device and a support.

[0073] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a side view of two alternatives of the electronic monitoring device according to the present invention.

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the socket according to the present invention.

[0075] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the slide of the electronic monitoring device according to the present invention.

[0076] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the fixing of the electronic monitoring device on the socket according to the present invention.

[0077] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the electronic monitoring device fixed to a socket according to the present invention.

[0078] FIG. 9 shows an alternative perspective view of the electronic monitoring device fixed to a socket according to the present invention.

[0079] FIGS. 10A and 10B show a perspective view of the system according to the present invention showing the base, the socket and the electronic monitoring device.

[0080] In the figures, elements that are identical or similar bear the same reference numbers. FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic monitoring device 3 that makes it possible to generate data indicative of the health-related behaviour based on capture of events.

[0081] According to the present invention, the electronic monitoring device 3 comprises a casing 4 in which there are a power source, a processor, a sensor, a clock and a memory.

[0082] The power source is for example a battery or a cell and is configured for supplying an electric circuit connecting together the different elements present in the casing 4.

[0083] The processor is connected to the power source, the sensor, the clock and the memory and is configured for processing an event connected with a health-related behaviour and for generating a signal comprising the data indicative of the health-related behaviour.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 comprises a sensor 8 configured for capturing an event of a health-related behaviour, preferably the sensor 8 is a passive sensor, mechanical for example a push-button, physical, electronic, electromagnetic, luminous, chemical, preferably a sensor with low energy consumption.

[0085] The sensor 8, preferably a push-button, acts as a switch with normally open operation. In fact, electrical connection is created when the patient presses the push-button.

[0086] In operation, when the patient performs a health-related behaviour, for example such as taking a medical treatment or monitoring a physical measurement, he will actuate the sensor 8, which will create an electrical connection between the power source and the processor. The processor receives the event of the health-related behaviour by the creation of the electrical connection and will then process this event. The processor is configured for sending a signal to the clock for recovering the data on time and date contained in the clock. After receiving the data on time and date from the clock, the processor generates data indicative of the health-related behaviour based on event capture and sends a signal to the memory, more precisely the processor records the data indicative of the health-related behaviour in the memory.

[0087] Optionally, the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 comprises an indicator lamp, an audible device, or a vibrator for indicating the event of the health-related behaviour. According to one embodiment, the indicator lamp, for example an LED, the audible device or the vibrator is located before the processor in the electric circuit, more particularly between the sensor and the processor. In this first embodiment, when the patient actuates the sensor 8 and creates the electrical connection, the indicator lamp, the audible device or the vibrator is supplied, which leads to illumination of the indicator lamp, emission of a sound from the audible device or a vibration to indicate to the patient that the sensor 8 has been actuated correctly. According to another embodiment, the indicator lamp, the audible device or the vibrator is located after the processor in the electric circuit. In this second embodiment, when the patient actuates the sensor 8 and creates the electrical connection, the processor processes the event of the health-related behaviour as described above and then the indicator lamp, the audible device or the vibrator is supplied, which leads to illumination of the indicator lamp, emission of a sound from the audible device or a vibration to indicate that the sensor 8 has been actuated correctly and that the event of the health-related behaviour has been processed correctly by the processor. In another embodiment, the indicator lamp, the audible device or the vibrator may be integrated with the sensor 8 directly.

[0088] In all cases, these elements aim to improve the behaviour related to the patient's health, more particularly they aim to improve the patient's compliance behaviour.

[0089] In another embodiment, the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 is provided with a display device, preferably an LCD screen on its upper face, as opposed to the lower face 23, which is in contact with the wall of the support 2. The display device is configured for communicating visual information to the patient. In operation, the processor sends a signal to the display device. This signal is translated by the display device into visual information that can be read by the patient. The visual information is for example an indication of the number of doses taken recorded by the patient, the time remaining before the next event of the health-related behaviour or else the degree, as a percentage, of good or poor compliance behaviour of the patient. The display device is configured to be put back to zero at intervals of 24 hours.

[0090] Furthermore, these elements (indicator lamp, audible device, vibrator or display device etc.) may be used for supplying information to the patient. For example, an LED may be programmed to light up or emit flashes for two hours after an event connected with a health-related behaviour and then stop, to indicate that the event must be renewed, or vice versa. Thus, the audible device or the vibrator can be programmed to emit an audible signal or a vibration, respectively, two hours, four hours, six hours, eight hours etc. after the event of the health-related behaviour, for example taking a medical treatment, to signal to the patient that the event must be renewed.

[0091] Optionally, the system 1 for tracking a health-related behaviour comprises an external reader configured for recovering the data indicative of the health-related behaviour recorded in the memory by the processor. Preferably, the external reader is a remote reader, operating by various known methods such as NFC technology, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infrared etc.

[0092] Furthermore, the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 comprises all the elements necessary for capturing an event of a health-related behaviour, for generating data indicative of the health-related behaviour based on event capture and therefore for example for measuring a patient's voluntary adherence.

[0093] Furthermore, a first wall extends from the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3. A first part 5 of said first wall extends from the casing 4 in a plane intersecting the casing 4 and joined to the casing 4. A second part 6 of said first wall extends in a plane parallel to the casing 4, is connected by one end joined to the first part 5 and is provided with a second free end. Said first part 5 and said second part 6 of the first wall extending from the casing 4 together form a slide 7, which interacts with a wall of the support 2, for example a wall of a medicine package.

[0094] In fact, the slide 7 can interact with any type of supports 2 but also with other bases 14 which can be held tightly between the second part 6 of the first wall that extends from the casing 4, and the casing 4 itself.

[0095] Thus, the slide 7 of the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 comprises a first face 21 and a second face 22 parallel to the first face 21. The first face 21 is exposed to the exterior, and the second face 22 is exposed to the casing 4.

[0096] FIG. 2 illustrates the system 1 for tracking a health-related behaviour according to the present invention, which comprises a support 2 and an electronic monitoring device 3 for generating data indicating a health-related behaviour based on capture of events.

[0097] The slide 7 of the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 is configured to interact with a wall of the support 2. In fact, the first part 5 extending from the casing 4 and the second part 6, together forming the slide 7, allow a space to be created between the slide 7 as such and the casing 4, so that the user can position the electronic monitoring device 3 as shown in FIG. 2, the wall of the support 2 being introduced into the space between the slide 7 and the casing 4 until it comes up against the first part 5.

[0098] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative of the electronic monitoring device 3 according to the present invention. The slide 7 of the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 comprises a first face 21 and a second face 22 parallel to the first face 21. The first face 21 is exposed to the exterior, and the second face 22 is exposed to the casing 4. The slide 7 is provided with a lug 9 that extends from the second face 22 to the casing 4.

[0099] The presence of at least one lug 9 on the slide 7, which extends from the second face 22 to the casing 4, makes it possible to fix the electronic monitoring device 3 on the support 2, for example a wall of a medicine package, but also with other bases 14, by a first squeezing so that fixation is reinforced. This fixation by squeezing makes it possible to prevent the electronic monitoring device 3 becoming detached from the support 2 in the case of impact or if dropped.

[0100] FIG. 4 illustrates another alternative of the electronic monitoring device 3 according to the present invention. The casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 has a wall 23 that faces the second part 6 of the wall of the slide 7 and that comprises a lug 10 that extends from said wall 23 to the second part 6 of the wall of the slide 7, preferably under the slide 7.

[0101] In fact, the presence of at least one lug 10 on the casing 4 that extends from a wall of the casing 4 to the second part 6 of the wall of the slide 7 makes it possible to fix the electronic monitoring device 3 on the support 2, for example the wall of a medicine package, but also with other bases 14, by a second squeezing so that fixation is reinforced. This fixation by squeezing makes it possible to prevent the electronic monitoring device 3 becoming detached from the support 2 in the case of impact or if dropped.

[0102] Advantageously, the electronic monitoring device 3 comprises a first lug 9 that extends from the second face 22 of the slide 7 to the casing 4 and a second lug 10 that extends from the wall 23 of the casing 4 to the second part 6 of the wall of the slide 7. In this embodiment, the first lug 9 and the second lug 10, at the time of fixing the electronic monitoring device 3 to a support 2 but also to other bases 14, allow double squeezing. In fact, fixation by double squeezing allows the electronic monitoring device 3 to be made integral with the support 2 so that it remains correctly positioned and fixed during an impact or if dropped.

[0103] FIG. 5 illustrates the socket 13 according to the present invention. The socket 13 is provided with a wall that comprises a lower face 15 (not visible) and an upper face 16, from which two guide rails 17 extend. The two guide rails 17 each extend in a longitudinal direction parallel to the upper face 16 of the socket 13. Each rail 17 is a sectional bar provided with a first wall 18 extending perpendicularly to the upper face 16 of the socket 13, along the latter, and a second wall 19 that extends approximately perpendicularly to the first wall 18 and parallel to the upper face 16 of the socket 13. Furthermore, the socket 13 also comprises a stop element 24, serving to prevent insertion of the electronic monitoring device 3 the wrong way round.

[0104] According to the present invention, each first wall 18 of the guide rails 17 comprises at least one lateral projection 20, preferably the at least one lateral projection 20 of each guide rail 18 are opposite one another.

[0105] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the slide 7 according to the present invention. The slide 7 comprises a first part 5 extending from the casing 4, a second part 6 and a lug 9, as described above.

[0106] According to the present invention, the second part 6 of the wall of the slide 7 comprises a first lateral face 11a and a second lateral face 11b; each lateral face comprises at least one slot 12. The slots 12 are located on either side of the second part 6 of the wall of the slide 7 and are configured for housing the lateral projections 20 of the guide rails 17 of the socket 13, when the electronic monitoring device 3 is housed in the socket 13, preferably by forced fitting.

[0107] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the fixation of the electronic monitoring device 3 in the socket 13. According to the present invention, it can be seen that the two slots 12 of the slide 7 of the electronic monitoring device 3 and the two lateral projections 20 of the guide rails 17 of the socket 13 are of complementary shape and are able to interact by forced fitting.

[0108] Furthermore, the lateral projections 20 are of complementary shape with that of the slots 12, in such a way that when the patient wishes to fix the electronic monitoring device 3 in the socket 13, which in its turn is positioned on its base 14, the patient only has to insert the slide 7 in the space provided for this purpose, between the upper face 16 of the socket 13 and the second wall 19 of the guide rails 17 and push the electronic monitoring device 3 in a translational motion until there is forced fitting of the lateral projections 20 in the slots 12 provided for this purpose.

[0109] According to the present invention, the electronic monitoring device 3 in the mounted state, when it is positioned in the socket 13, is blocked and immobile in the three spatial directions so that it cannot be displaced in the case of impact or if dropped.

[0110] In another embodiment, each first wall 18 of the guide rails 17 may comprise at least one lateral slot, preferably the at least one lateral slots of each guide rails 17 are opposite one another, and each lateral face of the second part 6 of the wall of the slide 7 may comprise at least one projection, preferably the projections are located on either side of the second part 6 of the wall of the slide 7.

[0111] Furthermore, the lower face 15 of the socket 13 according to the present invention comprises an adhesive, for example of the double-sided type, self-gripping means, for example a Velcro® fixing, a repositionable pressure-sensitive silicone, in order to be able to fix the socket 13 easily to a base 14 and reposition the socket 13 easily on its base 14 or on another base 14 when this is necessary, for example when the patient wishes to change the weekly dispenser, tablet container or when the patient has used up all the medicine.

[0112] Alternatively, the socket 13 according to the present invention may comprise a system for fixing by screw or by rivet, to be fixed to a base 14.

[0113] FIG. 8 illustrates fixation of the electronic monitoring device 3 to a socket 13. The slide 7 of the casing 4 of the electronic monitoring device 3 is configured for being inserted between the rails 17 of the socket 13.

[0114] FIG. 9 illustrates another view of the fixation of the electronic monitoring device 3 to the socket 13. In fact, the slide 7 of the casing 4 will be housed in a space created between the second wall 19 of the guide rails 17 and the upper face 16 of the socket 13.

[0115] FIG. 10A illustrates fixation of the socket 13 on a base 14, for example a weekly dispenser.

[0116] FIG. 10B illustrates the system 1 according to the present invention comprising a base 14, for example a weekly dispenser, on which the socket 13 is fixed, into which the electronic monitoring device 3 will be inserted for tracking the health-related behaviour of a patient and more particularly for measuring the patient's compliance.

[0117] Furthermore, the base 14 may be a medicine box, a tablet container, a weekly dispenser, a bottle, a garment, a piece of furniture, a sanitary fitting or any other object to which the patient has access.

[0118] According to the present invention, the system 1 for tracking a health-related behaviour is used for measuring a patient's compliance with a prescribed dosage.

[0119] Of course, the present invention is not in any way limited to the embodiments described above and many modifications may be made while remaining within the scope of the accompanying claims.

[0120] Although the electronic monitoring device, its casing and its support have been defined with reference to guide rails each extending in a parallel longitudinal direction, it goes without saying that the invention also protects parallel and concentric guide rails provided with retaining means that make it possible to keep the electronic monitoring device engaged and to disengage it for example by simple rotation or some other movement.