Power control for instrumented medication package
AssigneeDDMS Holdings, L.L.C.
InventorsMark A. Niemiec, Louis M. Heidelberger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is method for switching a power supply associated with an instrumented medication package, such that energy contained in the power supply can be preserved until the instrumented medication package is dispensed to a patient. The switch may be formed by providing an exposed discontinuity on a trace forming a conductive path between the power supply and circuitry associated with the instrumented medication package. Bridging the discontinuity, such as by placing a conductive element across the discontinuity, allows the power supply to be conductively connected to the circuitry, such that the circuitry can perform its desired function.
Claims21
1) An instrumented medication package, said instrumented medication package comprising a power supply, circuitry for monitoring at least one condition associated with the instrumented medication package, and a connective path between said power supply and said circuitry,
- wherein said connective path comprises a switch, said switch for alternately conductively connecting or disconnecting said power supply from said circuitry.
8) In an instrumented medication package having at least one power supply trace for conductively connecting a power supply to circuitry associated with said instrumented medication package, an electrical current flow control, said electrical current flow control comprising:
- a discontinuity in said power supply trace;
- a protective layer over said power supply trace, said protective layer having a window exposing said discontinuity;
- and
- a completion element, said completion element comprising a conductive material;
- wherein said power supply trace has a first and a second end adjacent to said discontinuity;
- and wherein said completion element is attachable to said instrumented medication package across said discontinuity, said completion element providing an electrically conductive path when attached to said instrumented medication package across said discontinuity.
16) An instrumented medication package having monitoring circuitry and at least one power supply trace placed thereon, said instrumented medication package further comprising a means for controlling electrical flow in the at least one power supply trace placed thereon, wherein said means for controlling electrical flow in the at least one power supply trace comprises a means for completing a discontinuity in said at least one power supply trace, said means for completing a discontinuity having connected and disconnected conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.