Biosensor for monitoring eyedrop usage compliance
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorJohn Liu
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Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring eyedrop usage are disclosed. Example embodiments include a system to monitor eyedrop usage. The system may include a detection and activation circuit couplable to a wireless biosensor and an eyedrop dispenser. The detection and activation circuit may include a pressure transducer that transmits a signal upon detecting a force at, or above, a threshold value. The system may also include a wireless biosensor insertable into a region of an eyelid. The wireless biosensor may include a sensor to detect the physical change and the chemical change of tears as a result of eyedrop usage. The wireless biosensor may also include a transceiver to receive the signal that activates the sensor for an activation time.
Claims20
A system to monitor eyedrop usage, the system comprising:
- a detection and activation circuit couplable to a wireless biosensor and an eyedrop dispenser, the detection and activation circuit comprising:
- a pressure transducer detecting a force applied to the pressure transducer, wherein the pressure transducer transmits a signal upon detecting a force at, or above, a threshold value, and
- a wireless biosensor insertable into a region of an eyelid, the wireless biosensor comprising:
- a sensor to detect the physical change and the chemical change of tears as a result of eyedrop usage from the eyedrop dispenser when activated;
- and
- a transceiver to receive the signal, wherein receiving the signal activates the wireless biosensor for an activation time, and wherein the wireless biosensor deactivates after the activation time.
A method comprising:
- coupling a detection and activation circuit to a wireless biosensor and to an eyedrop dispenser, wherein the detection and activation circuit comprises:
- a pressure transducer detecting a force applied to the pressure transducer, wherein the pressure transducer transmits a signal upon detecting a force at, or above, a threshold value, and;
- inserting a wireless biosensor into an eyelid, wherein the wireless biosensor comprises:
- a sensor to detect the physical change and the chemical change of tears as a result of eyedrop usage from the eyedrop dispenser when activated;
- and
- a transceiver to receive the signal to activate the wireless biosensor for an activation time;
- detecting the force at, or above, the threshold value using the pressure transducer;
- activating the wireless biosensor according to the activation time;
- during the activation time, dispensing eyedrops from eyedrop dispenser on a surface of an eye;
- and
- responsive to detecting the force at, or above, the threshold value, detecting the physical change and the chemical change to tears as a result of eyedrop usage during the activation time.
A system to monitor eyedrop usage, the system comprising:
- a wireless biosensor insertable into a region of an eyelid, wherein the wireless biosensor comprises:
- a sensor to detect a physical change and a chemical change of tears as a result of eyedrop usage, wherein the wireless biosensor is activated for an activation time by a signal and deactivated after the activation time;
- and
- a transceiver to receive a signal from an external detection and activation circuit, wherein the external detection and activation circuit, coupled to an eyedrop dispenser, transmits the signal to the wireless biosensor when a force at, or above, a threshold is applied to the external detection and activation circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.