US6167362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motivational tool for adherence to medical regimen
Assignee: Robert Bosch Healthcare Systems Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-09
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2019-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for simulating a chronic disease condition comprises a compact, easy to use electronic device. A virtual pet device for providing at least one disease control parameter value and a general health status value for the virtual pet having a chronic medical condition includes: a microprocessor having a memory, a housing, an input unit external to the housing, and a display integral with the housing. The device may include a plurality of icons and a plurality of input buttons for inputting medical regimen-related data into the device. Graphics are provided for portraying a plurality of stages in the development and maturation of the virtual pet, as well as for displaying at least one disease control parameter. An audio unit provides sound synchronized to the graphics, and includes an alarm function related to scheduled medication administration. A total score representing progress towards graduation and general health of the virtual pet may be displayed as a numerical value, together with values for at least one disease control parameter. The device provides an effective motivational and educational tool for patients required to follow a long term medical regimen.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Brown
- 👤 Alan Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:35
CPC Classifications
G; G16; G16H; G16H20/00; G16H20/10; G16H20/13; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/41; A61B5/411; A61B5/68; A61B5/6887; A61B5/6896; A61B5/72; A61B5/7271; A61B5/7275; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/487; G01N33/48785; G01N33/48792; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G16H10/00; G16H10/40; G16H20/30; G16H50/00; G16H50/50; A61B5/0002; A61B5/145; A61B5/14532; G01N35/00; G01N35/00584; G01N35/00722; G01N2035/00891; G16H20/17; G16H20/60; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; G16H50/30; G16H70/00; G16H70/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A system for providing simulated disease control parameter values for at least one disease control parameter of a chronic disease, said system comprising a freely transportable virtual pet device including: a) an input device configured for entering patient self-care values S M (t i ); b) a memory device configured for storing optimal control parameter values R(t i ) and R(t j ), a prior disease control parameter value X(t i ), optimal self-care values O M (t i ), and scaling factors K M ; c) a microprocessor, in communication with said input device and said memory device, for calculating a future disease control parameter value X(t j ); and d) a display device configured for displaying said future disease control parameter value X(t j ).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A system for providing simulated disease control parameter values for at least one disease control parameter of a chronic disease, said system comprising a freely transportable virtual pet device including: a) an input device configured for entering patient self-care values S M (t i ); b) a memory device configured for storing optimal control parameter values R(t i ) and R(t j ), a prior disease control parameter value X(t i ), optimal self-care values O M (t i ), and scaling factors K M ; c) a microprocessor, in communication with said input device and said memory device, for calculating a future disease control parameter value X(t j ); and d) a display device configured for displaying said future disease control parameter value X(t j ).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
The system of claim 1, wherein for each of the at least one disease control parameters, the future disease control parameter value X(t j ) at time t j is determined from the prior disease control parameter value X(t i ) at time t j based on the optimal control parameter value R(t j ) at time t j , the difference between said prior disease control parameter value X(t i ) and the optimal control parameter value R(t i ) at time t i , and a set of differentials between patient self-care parameters having the patient self-care values S M (t i ) at time t i and optimal self-care parameters having the optimal self-care values O M (t i ) at time t i , the differentials being multiplied by corresponding scaling factors K M , and the future disease control parameter value X(t j ) is calculated according to the equation: ##EQU8##
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor is capable of determining a general health status of a patient based on simulated disease control parameter values of each of a plurality of disease control parameters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said input device comprises means for entering patient self-care values, and said microprocessor is configured for determining at least one of the scaling factors from the patient self-care values entered.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said input device comprises means for entering patient nutritional values, and said microprocessor is configured for determining at least one of the scaling factors from the patient nutritional values entered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said input device comprises means for entering patient risk factor values, and said microprocessor is configured for determining at least one of the scaling factors from the patient risk factor values entered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said input device comprises means for entering patient life-style values and said microprocessor is configured for determining at least one of the scaling factors from the patient life-style values entered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said input device comprises means for entering one or more patient self-care values, said one or more values selected from the group consisting of Pulmozyme™ usage, pancreatic enzyme usage, bronchodilator usage, antibiotic usage, physical exercise taken, vitamin supplements taken, chest physical therapy, caloric intake, exposure to smokers, and exposure to sneezers; and said microprocessor is configured for determining at least one of the scaling factors from the one or more patient self-care values entered.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises a hand-held, freely transportable, virtual pet including a power unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said virtual pet device is capable of simulating a chronic medical condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, further including a clock unit, said clock unit synchronized to real time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said display device includes a night-light unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the patient self-care values comprise virtual self-care values.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the patient is a virtual pet capable of simulating a virtual chronic disorder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said display device is capable of displaying a plurality of icons thereon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 15, wherein said plurality of icons are related to parameters selected from the group consisting of health status, nutrition, and medicine administration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 15, wherein said plurality of icons are related to parameters selected from the group consisting of physical therapy, shower, play, school, praise, sleep, and needs attention.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing, and said input device includes a plurality of buttons arranged on an exterior surface of said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising an audio unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said audio unit includes a medical regimen factor alarm unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said audio unit includes a Pulmozyme™ alarm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one disease control parameter comprises at least one of lung function and body weight.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the patient self-care parameters comprise at least one of medical regimen adherence and risk factor avoidance.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for simulating at least one disease control parameter in a simulation system, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a simulation system, the simulation system comprising a virtual pet including a microprocessor having a memory, a display connected to the microprocessor, and input device configured for entering in the microprocessor patient self-care values S M (t i ); b) storing in the memory optimal control parameter values R(t i ) and R(t j ), a prior disease control parameter value X(t i ), optimal self-care values O M (t i ), and scaling factors K M ; c) entering in the microprocessor patient self-care values S M (t i ); d) calculating in the microprocessor a future disease control parameter value X(t j ), and e) displaying the future disease control parameter value X(t j ) on the display.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for simulating at least one disease control parameter in a simulation system, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a simulation system, the simulation system comprising a virtual pet including a microprocessor having a memory, a display connected to the microprocessor, and input device configured for entering in the microprocessor patient self-care values S M (t i ); b) storing in the memory optimal control parameter values R(t i ) and R(t j ), a prior disease control parameter value X(t i ), optimal self-care values O M (t i ), and scaling factors K M ; c) entering in the microprocessor patient self-care values S M (t i ); d) calculating in the microprocessor a future disease control parameter value X(t j ), and e) displaying the future disease control parameter value X(t j ) on the display.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
155 words
The method of claim 24, wherein for each of the at least one disease control parameter, the future disease control parameter value X(t j ) at time t j is determined from the prior disease control parameter value X(t i ) at time t i based on the optimal control parameter value R(t j ) at time t j , the difference between the prior disease control parameter value X(t i ) and an optimal control parameter value R(v) at time t i , and a set of differentials between patient self-care parameters having the patient self-care values S M (t i ) at time t i and optimal self-care parameters having the optimal self-care values O M (t i ) at time t i , the differentials being multiplied by corresponding scaling factors K M , and wherein the future disease control parameter value X(t j ) is calculated according to the equation: ##EQU9##
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: f) calculating a general health status score based on the at least one disease control parameter simulated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said step c) comprises entering patient self-care values on at least one of the group consisting of: Pulmozyme™ usage, pancreatic enzyme usage, bronchodilator usage, antibiotic usage, physical exercise taken, vitamin supplements taken, chest physical therapy, caloric intake, exposure to smokers, and exposure to sneezers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said step d) comprises calculating a future disease control parameter value selected from the group consisting of lung function and body weight.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electronic device for displaying at least one disease control parameter of a fictional patient, comprising: a) input device configured for entering self-care values S M (t i ) of a fictional patient; b) a memory for storing optimal control parameter values R(t i ) and R(t j ), a prior disease control parameter value X(t i ), optimal self-care values O M (t i ), and scaling factors K M ; c) a microprocessor, in communication with said input device and said memory, for calculating a future disease control parameter value X(t j ); and d) a display connected to said microprocessor for displaying the future disease control parameter value X(t j ).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electronic device for displaying at least one disease control parameter of a fictional patient, comprising: a) input device configured for entering self-care values S M (t i ) of a fictional patient; b) a memory for storing optimal control parameter values R(t i ) and R(t j ), a prior disease control parameter value X(t i ), optimal self-care values O M (t i ), and scaling factors K M ; c) a microprocessor, in communication with said input device and said memory, for calculating a future disease control parameter value X(t j ); and d) a display connected to said microprocessor for displaying the future disease control parameter value X(t j ).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 29, wherein the future disease control parameter value X(t j ) is calculated according to the equation: ##EQU10##
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 29, further comprising a housing, wherein said memory and said microprocessor are housed within said housing and said display is integral with said housing to provide a hand-held, readily transportable virtual pet device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 31, wherein said input device includes a plurality of controls arranged on said housing.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
260 words
A method of motivating a patient to adhere to a medical regimen for a chronic medical condition afflicting the patient, comprising the steps of: a) input means for entering patient self-care values; b) a memory for storing optimal control parameter values, a prior disease control parameter value, optimal self-care values, and scaling factors; c) a microprocessor in communication with said input means and said memory for calculating a future disease control parameter value; and d) a display connected to said microprocessor for displaying the future disease control parameter value and wherein said microprocessor is programmed to provide a general health status score of the virtual patient, wherein the general health status score is calculated by said microprocessor based on at least two disease control parameter values and wherein a future value X(t j ) of each of the at least one disease control parameters at time tj is determined from a prior disease control parameter value X(t i ) at time t i based on an optimal control parameter value R(t j ) at time t j , the difference between the prior disease control parameter value X(t i ) and an optimal control parameter value R(t i ) at time t i , and a set of differentials between patient self-care parameters having patient self-care values S M (t i ) at time t i and optimal self-care parameters having optimal self-care values O M (t i ) at time t i , the differentials being multiplied by corresponding scaling factors K M , according to the equation: ##EQU11##
Claim 37
Independent Claim
260 words
A method of motivating a patient to adhere to a medical regimen for a chronic medical condition afflicting the patient, comprising the steps of: a) input means for entering patient self-care values; b) a memory for storing optimal control parameter values, a prior disease control parameter value, optimal self-care values, and scaling factors; c) a microprocessor in communication with said input means and said memory for calculating a future disease control parameter value; and d) a display connected to said microprocessor for displaying the future disease control parameter value and wherein said microprocessor is programmed to provide a general health status score of the virtual patient, wherein the general health status score is calculated by said microprocessor based on at least two disease control parameter values and wherein a future value X(t j ) of each of the at least one disease control parameters at time tj is determined from a prior disease control parameter value X(t i ) at time t i based on an optimal control parameter value R(t j ) at time t j , the difference between the prior disease control parameter value X(t i ) and an optimal control parameter value R(t i ) at time t i , and a set of differentials between patient self-care parameters having patient self-care values S M (t i ) at time t i and optimal self-care parameters having optimal self-care values O M (t i ) at time t i , the differentials being multiplied by corresponding scaling factors K M , according to the equation: ##EQU11##
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The virtual pet of claim 33, wherein the chronic disease afflicting the virtual pet is cystic fibrosis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |