University of California

Acumetric, Inc.

Robert N Weinreb

Andreas Wilhelm Dreher

Todd Prentice Coleman

Jerzy Jozef Lewak

Yun Soung Kim

Michael Bajema

Dae Kang

Amr Haj Omar

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for monitoring the dispensing of a fluid from a container. In one aspect, a system includes a conformal substrate including a mechanically flexible and an electrically insulative material, the substrate attached and conformed to a container containing a fluid; a data acquisition unit including a sensor and a signal processing circuit formed on the conformal substrate, in which the sensor transduces an occurrence of the fluid dispensing from the container into an electrical signal, and the signal processing circuit amplifies the electrical signal; a data processing unit formed on the conformal substrate and in communication with the data acquisition unit to process the amplified electrical signal as data; and a communications unit formed on the conformal substrate and in communication with the data processing unit to wirelessly transmit the processed data to a remote device.

Unobtrusive wireless electronic systems for monitoring and facilitating patient compliance

Disclosed are highly scalable fabrication methods for producing electronic circuits, devices, and systems. In one aspect, a fabrication method includes attaching an electronic component at a location on a substrate including a flexible and electrically insulative material; forming a template to encase the electronic component by depositing a material in a phase to conform on the surfaces of the electronic component and the substrate, and causing the material to change to solid form; and producing a circuit or electronic device by forming openings in the substrate to expose conductive portions of the electronic component, creating electrical interconnections coupled to at least some of the conductive portions in a selected arrangement on the substrate, and depositing a layer of an electrically insulative and flexible material over the electrical interconnections on the substrate to form a flexible base of the circuit, in which the produced circuit or electronic device is encased.

Scalable fabrication techniques and circuit packaging devices

An electronic apparatus for counting and recording a number of drops of fluid. The preferred embodiment of the invention is configured as a molded receptacle housing for receiving a commercially available eyedrop bottle in which the cap has been replaced by the housing. The invention includes a detection device that detects the separation of drops from a fluid supply bottle, and counts and records the number of such drops in a preset time period. Optionally, a real-time clock time stamps the stream of drop count data so that the absolute time period during which drops are released is also ascertained and recorded. Optionally, a reminder signal or indication is given to a patient as to the dosage and appropriate time for each eyedrop administration, or an alarm is given if over or under medication is occurring. An alternative application is disclosed in which the drop detection and counting features of the invention are used in a feedback loop to control the flow of fluid in a drop metering system.

Drop counting system

An electronic apparatus for counting and recording a number of drops of fluid. The preferred embodiment of the invention is configured as a molded receptacle housing for receiving a commercially available eyedrop bottle in which the cap has been replaced by the housing. The invention includes a detection means that detects the separation of drops from a fluid supply bottle, and counts and records the number of such drops in a preset time period. Optionally, a real-time clock time stamps the stream of drop count data so that the absolute time period during which drops are released is also ascertained and recorded. Optionally, a reminder signal or indication is given to a patient as to the dosage and appropriate time for each eyedrop administration, or an alarm is given if over or under medication is occurring. An alternative application is disclosed in which the drop detection and counting features of the invention are used in a feedback loop to control the flow of fluid in a drop metering system.

Growing community of inventors

Rancho Santa Fe, CA, United States of America

Robert N Weinreb