U.S. patent application number 12/250889 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for personalized management and monitoring of medical conditions.
This patent application is currently assigned to PATIENTSLIKEME, INC.. Invention is credited to Benjamin Heywood, James Heywood, Paul Wicks.
Application Number | 20090144089 12/250889 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40549622 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090144089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heywood; Benjamin ; et
al. |
June 4, 2009 |
PERSONALIZED MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Abstract
The invention provides a system and a method for tracking,
assessing, and managing personalized data related to medical
conditions, diseases, disease symptoms, treatments, body function
metrics, health and well-being, education, and training. In one
embodiment, a method for personalized management of a medical
condition is provided. The method includes providing a graphical
user interface for allowing the patient to input at least one
medical condition metric and at least one intervention, receiving
at least one medical condition metric for a patient for a time
interval, receiving information about at least one intervention for
the patient for the time interval, and displaying the at least one
medical condition metric and intervention over the time
interval.
Inventors: |
Heywood; Benjamin;
(Cambridge, MA) ; Heywood; James; (Cambridge,
MA) ; Wicks; Paul; (Cambridge, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARDS ANGELL PALMER & DODGE LLP
P.O. BOX 55874
BOSTON
MA
02205
US
|
Assignee: |
PATIENTSLIKEME, INC.
Cambridge
MA
|
Family ID: |
40549622 |
Appl. No.: |
12/250889 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US08/79672 |
Oct 12, 2008 |
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12250889 |
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60998768 |
Oct 12, 2007 |
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60998669 |
Oct 12, 2007 |
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61070067 |
Mar 20, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/3 ;
705/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 50/20 20180101;
G16H 20/10 20180101; A61B 5/0002 20130101; G16H 10/20 20180101;
G16H 70/60 20180101; G16H 50/50 20180101; A61B 5/4824 20130101;
G16H 20/40 20180101; G16H 40/63 20180101; G16H 40/20 20180101; G16H
50/70 20180101; A61B 5/4833 20130101; G06Q 50/22 20130101; G16H
10/60 20180101; G16H 15/00 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/3 ;
705/2 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/00 20060101
G06Q050/00; G06Q 90/00 20060101 G06Q090/00 |
Claims
1. A method for personalized management of a medical condition, the
method comprising: providing a graphical user interface for
allowing the patient to input at least one medical condition metric
and at least one intervention; receiving at least one medical
condition metric for a patient for a time interval; receiving
information about at least one intervention for the patient for the
time interval; and displaying the at least one medical condition
metric and intervention over the time interval.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one medical
condition metric is observed by the patient.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving an
additional medical condition metric measured by a medical
device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the intervention includes at
least one selected from the group consisting of: administration of
a medication, administration of a remedy, administration of a
nutritional supplement, administration of a vitamin, exercise,
physical therapy, massage, stretching, consumption of food, rest,
and sleep.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the chart includes
pharmacokinetic data for the medication.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical element is a
chart.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the chart is a line chart.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein time is depicted on the x-axis of
the chart.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the time interval is one selected
from the group consisting of: 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the chart displays data from
multiple time periods.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein providing a graphical element
includes displaying a plurality of charts, each of the plurality of
charts displaying information for a different time interval.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical element includes a
slider bar for inputting a medical condition metric.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: calculating a
correlation between the at least one intervention and the at least
one medical condition metric.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical condition is one
selected from the group consisting of: movement disorders including
parkinsonism, pain disorders including back pain, migraines,
fibromyalgia, fatigue disorders, mood disorders including
depression and anxiety, eating disorders, and seizure disorders
including epilepsy.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one medical
condition metric is received from a mobile device.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the time interval is an actual
time interval.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the time interval is a
representative time interval.
18. A method of determining the interaction between an intervention
and a medical condition metric in a patient comprising the steps
of: obtaining a record of at least one medical condition metric
over a predetermined time interval; obtaining a record of
interventions over the same predetermined time interval;
illustrating the record of said medical condition metric and the
record of said intervention over a selected time interval that
encompasses at least part of said predetermined time interval in a
graphic display; and permitting said patient to manipulate said
graphic display and the data contained therein to modify the data
and determine correlations between such data; whereby the
interaction between said intervention and said medical condition
metric can be determined.
19. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer to
perform a method for personalized management of a medical
condition, the method comprising: providing a graphical user
interface for allowing the patient to input at least one medical
condition metric and at least one intervention; receiving at least
one medical condition metric for a patient for a time interval;
receiving information about at least one intervention for the
patient for the time interval; and displaying the at least one
medical condition metric and intervention over the time
interval.
20. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer to
perform a method of determining the interaction between an
intervention and a medical condition metric in a patient comprising
the steps of: obtaining a record of at least one medical condition
metric over a predetermined time interval; obtaining a record of
interventions over the same predetermined time interval;
illustrating the record of said medical condition metric and the
record of said intervention over a selected time interval that
encompasses at least part of said predetermined time interval in a
graphic display; and permitting said patient to manipulate said
graphic display and the data contained therein to modify the data
and determine correlations between such data; whereby the
interaction between said intervention and said medical condition
metric can be determined.
21. A method of treating a depressed patient, the method
comprising: providing a graphical user interface for allowing the
patient to input at least one medical condition metric; receiving
at least one medical condition metric for a patient for a time
interval; displaying the at least one medical condition metric and
intervention over the time interval, wherein the time interval
includes at least one period in which the patient was not
experiencing a depressive episode.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the medical condition metric is
the patient's mood.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the medical condition metric is
a rating scale.
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising: collecting at least
one medical condition before the patient is diagnosed with
depression.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/US08/79672, filed on Oct. 12, 2008, and claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/998,669,
filed on Oct. 12, 2007, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/998,768, filed on Oct. 12, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/070,067, filed on Mar. 20, 2008. The entire
contents of each of these applications is hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to the tracking and assessment of
personalized data related to medical conditions, body function,
health and well-being.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The advent of the World Wide Web offers new opportunities
for people to share information, opinions, and experiences on
virtually any topic. With the support of web-based systems and
methodologies, people with common goals and interests can interact
and communicate instantaneously from anywhere on the globe. For
example, people can use a computer dating web site to search for a
compatible mate. A person can create an account on the web site and
enter personal information which is stored in a user profile in a
database. The database contains profiles of other persons who use
the web site. A person can search for a compatible mate by entering
information on characteristics they seek in their mate. The web
site can process the search criteria and return a list of matching
profiles. The person can then obtain further information and
contact a potential mate.
[0004] Many web sites exist to serve a particular group of people
who share common goals or attributes. For example, U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2003/0187683 describes a system for establishing
weight control programs. The system allows persons to enter,
update, and monitor their weight, and permits users to share
recipes and establish meal plans. U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,441 describes
a system for comparing non-human animal subjects by animal breed or
genetic disposition. For example, laboratory test results for a
non-human animal subject can be compared with genetic data for the
group.
[0005] The existing art includes examples of systems for monitoring
patient information to assist in providing medial care. U.S. Pat.
No. 6,956,572 describes a system for monitoring patients for
critical care. The system includes sliders for setting maximum and
minimum thresholds for a particular medical parameter for a patient
and the current value for the parameter. This allows the medical
staff to quickly determine whether or not a patient's condition is
normal. Another example, the LifeLines software from the University
of Maryland Human-Computer Interaction Lab of College Park, Md., is
a system for visualizing medical history records, which allows
medical personnel to examine medical history records in detail. The
system includes visual tools such as timelines and icons to denote
past events in the medical history.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides a method for personalized management
of a medical condition. The method includes providing a graphical
user interface for allowing the patient to input at least one
medical condition metric and at least one intervention, receiving
at least one medical condition metric for a patient for a time
interval, receiving information about at least one intervention for
the patient for the time interval, and displaying the at least one
medical condition metric and intervention over the time
interval.
[0007] The at least one medical condition metric can be observed by
the patient. The method can also include receiving an additional
medical condition metric measured by a medical device. The
intervention can include administration of a medication,
administration of a remedy, administration of a nutritional
supplement, administration of a vitamin, exercise, physical
therapy, massage, stretching, consumption of food, rest, and
sleep.
[0008] The chart can include pharmacokinetic data for the
medication. The graphical element can be a chart. The chart can be
a line chart. Time can be depicted on the x-axis of the chart. The
time interval can be one selected from the group consisting of: 24
hours, 1 week, and 1 month. The chart can display data from
multiple time periods.
[0009] The graphical element can include displaying a plurality of
charts. Each of the plurality of charts can display information for
a different time interval. The graphical element can include a
slider bar for inputting a medical condition metric.
[0010] The method of can also include the step of calculating a
correlation between the at least one intervention and the at least
one medical condition metric.
[0011] The medical condition can be selected from the group
consisting of: movement disorders including parkinsonism, pain
disorders including back pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, fatigue
disorders, mood disorders including depression and anxiety, eating
disorders, and seizure disorders including epilepsy.
[0012] The at least one medical condition metric can be received
from a mobile device.
[0013] The time interval can be an actual time interval or a
representative time interval. The medical condition metric can be
an actual medical condition metric or a representative medical
condition metric.
[0014] The invention also provides a method of determining the
interaction between an intervention and a medical condition metric
in a patient. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a record
of at least one medical condition metric over a predetermined time
interval, obtaining a record of interventions over the same
predetermined time interval, illustrating the record of said
medical condition metric and the record of said intervention over a
selected time interval that encompasses at least part of said
predetermined time interval in a graphic display, and permitting
said patient to manipulate said graphic display and the data
contained therein to modify the data and determine correlations
between such data. The method enables a determination of the
interaction between said intervention and said medical condition
metric.
[0015] The invention also provides a computer-readable medium whose
contents cause a computer to perform a method for personalized
management of a medical condition. The method includes: providing a
graphical user interface for allowing the patient to input at least
one medical condition metric and at least one intervention,
receiving at least one medical condition metric for a patient for a
time interval, receiving information about at least one
intervention for the patient for the time interval, and displaying
the at least one medical condition metric and intervention over the
time interval.
[0016] The invention also provides a computer-readable medium whose
contents cause a computer to perform a method of determining the
interaction between an intervention and a medical condition metric
in a patient. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a record
of at least one medical condition metric over a predetermined time
interval; obtaining a record of interventions over the same
predetermined time interval; illustrating the record of said
medical condition metric and the record of said intervention over a
selected time interval that encompasses at least part of said
predetermined time interval in a graphic display; and permitting
said patient to manipulate said graphic display and the data
contained therein to modify the data and determine correlations
between such data. Through the use of the computer-readable medium,
the interaction between said intervention and said medical
condition metric can be determined.
[0017] The invention also provides a method of treating a depressed
patient. The method includes providing a graphical user interface
for allowing the patient to input at least one medical condition
metric, receiving at least one medical condition metric for a
patient for a time interval, displaying the at least one medical
condition metric and intervention over the time interval. The time
interval can include at least one period in which the patient was
not experiencing a depressive episode.
[0018] The medical condition metric can be the patient's mood. The
medical condition metric can be a rating scale. The method can also
include collecting at least one medical condition before the
patient is diagnosed with depression.
[0019] The invention is also directed to a system and a method for
tracking and assessing personalized data related to a medical
condition. The medical condition can be related to a disease,
disease symptom, body function, health and well-being. The
invention can permit a person, for example, a patient diagnosed
with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), to enter data related to
his ALS, for example, how well he is feeling over the course of a
particular day, treatments he is taking, and other daily
activities, such as meals. For example, the patient can wake up in
the morning feeling nauseous. After a morning meal, the person make
take a first dose of his medication. By the later morning, his
nausea may pass and he may feel better. He can exercise in late
morning and have lunch. By mid-afternoon, his nausea may return and
he can take a short nap. After waking from his nap, he may feel
better and take a second dose of his medication. He can have a
light dinner and do some house chores. Later in the evening, he may
feel exhausted and go to bed. After few hours of sleep, he make
awake feeling very nauseous. The patient can use the invention to
track and record his feeling of well-being at various times
throughout his day and for a number of different days. He can also
track and record his treatments, meals, and other daily activities,
such as exercise. In this way, he can better self-assess and manage
his ALS. For example, he may note that taking the first dose of his
treatment in the morning when he wakes up, followed by a light meal
tends to reduce his nausea, whereas if he waits until mid-morning,
the nausea continues for another few hours.
[0020] The invention can include the steps of providing a user
interface for entering medical condition metrics for a medical
condition, storing the metrics, analyzing the metrics, and
providing a graphical element to display and visualize the metrics.
The graphical element can include a time scale, a metric scale, a
range of values for the metric, and a plurality of points. Each
point can represent an entered medical condition metric for the
medical condition. The point can be displayed in the graphical
element at a position corresponding to the metric value and the
time the metric was taken.
[0021] The method can further include providing a patient profile.
A patient profile can include one of the medical condition metrics.
A patient profile can further include other personalized data about
a patient, including name, sex, and age. The method can further
include providing a medical outcome correlation. In this
embodiment, the step of storing can include storing the patient
profile and displaying the medical outcome correlation in the
graphical element.
[0022] The step of providing the user interface can further include
providing a point movement means for moving metric points displayed
in the graphical element. The points can be moved within the range
of metric values. The point movement means can be a graphical
slider. The point movement means can further include an input from
a user.
[0023] The method can further include the step of providing a line
for joining the adjacent points for each metric. The line can be a
polyline of separate line segments, each segment joining adjacent
metric points. The step of providing a line can further include
providing multiple lines, each line joining adjacent points related
to a medical condition metric or a medical outcome correlation.
[0024] The graphical element can further include a status element
for relating information about one of the metrics. The status
element can include a color element and a text message related to
the metric.
[0025] The graphical element can further include a treatment
graphical element for relating information about a treatment for
the medical condition. The treatment graphical element can include
treatment dosage, treatment name, or treatment frequency. The
method using the graphical element can further include the steps of
providing a list of treatment graphical elements, selecting one or
more treatment graphical elements from the list, dragging the
selection, and dropping the selection at a location representing
the time the one or more treatments was administered.
[0026] The method can further include the steps of providing a
minimum medical condition metric value and a maximum medical
condition metric value, and providing a center line drawn halfway
between the minimum and maximum values.
[0027] The time scale can further include a start and an end time.
The start and the end time can be about 24 hours apart, about one
week apart, about one month apart, or the start and end time can be
a time span apart appropriate for the medical condition metric.
[0028] The graphical element can further include a daily activity
related to the medical condition. The daily activity can relate to
eating or exercising.
[0029] The invention can include a method including the steps of
entering medical condition metrics related to a medical condition,
and viewing the medical condition metrics using a graphical
element. The graphical element can include a time scale, a metric
scale, a range of values for the metric, and a plurality of points.
Each point can represent an entered medical condition metric for
the medical condition. The point can be displayed in the graphical
element at a position corresponding to the metric value and the
time the metric was taken.
[0030] The method can further include the steps of entering a
medical outcome correlation for the medical condition and viewing
the medical outcome correlation using the graphical element.
[0031] The invention can provide a computer-readable memory device
encoded with a data structure for transferring data between a
client program and a server program during a procedure call. The
server program can include functions for invocation by the client
program. The functions can include one or more parameters. The data
structure can include personalized data. The personalized data can
include a patient profile, a medical condition metric, and a
medical condition outcome. The personalized data can correspond to
one of the parameters transferred from the client program to the
server program when one of the functions is invoked.
[0032] The invention can include a computer-readable memory device
for storing a web-based data processing system including a client
software program and a server software program. The client software
program can include a user interface for entering a plurality of
medical condition metrics related to a medical condition. The
client software program can invoke procedure calls of the server
computer program. The invocation can occur over a network,
including the Internet or an intranet.
[0033] The server computer program can include function calls for
executing the system. The client software program can send a
request to store and analyze data, the request including entered
data. The entered data can be encapsulated in a data file or a
database stored in a memory. The entered data can be analyzed using
a microprocessor. The server program can process the request and
store and analyze the data. The server program can generate a
graphical element for displaying the medical condition metrics and
send the graphical element to the client software program. The
graphical element can be sent to the client software program as an
image. The client software program can display the image.
Alternatively, the server software program can send a series of
data values representing the graphical element, which the client
software program can use to generate and display the graphical
element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a Internet-based system for
personalized management and monitoring of medical conditions.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting a method of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting an exemplary graphical
element.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting an embodiment of medical
outcome correlations.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a method of practicing the
invention by a user.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting a data structure directed
toward the invention.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting another exemplary graphical
element.
[0041] FIGS. 8A-8D are diagrams depicting the functionality of a
slider bar element.
DEFINITIONS
[0042] The instant invention is most clearly understood with
reference to the following definitions:
[0043] As used in the specification and claims, the singular form
"a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context
clearly dictates otherwise.
[0044] The term "disease" refers to an abnormal condition of an
organism that impairs bodily functions. The term disease includes a
variety of physical ailments including, but not limited to,
neurological diseases (e.g., Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),
Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's Disease), Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS), cancers (e.g., bladder cancer, blood cancer, breast cancer,
colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, leukemia, lung cancer,
lymphoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and
skin cancer), diabetes, digestive disorders (e.g., irritable bowel
syndrome, gastro esophageal reflux disease, and Crohn's Disease),
cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, allergies, geriatric diseases,
and autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus). The term disease also
include mental ailments including, but not limited to, depression,
anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders,
psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and eating
disorders.
[0045] The term "medical condition" refers to a manifestation of a
disease such as a symptom. For example, if a patient suffers from
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the patient may experience one
or more medical conditions such as dysphagia (impaired
swallowing).
[0046] The term "intervention" refers any event that has a
positive, negative, or neutral effect on one or more medical
conditions. The term intervention includes a variety of activities
including, but not limited to, administration of a medication,
administration of a remedy, administration of a nutritional
supplement, administration of a vitamin, exercise, physical
therapy, massage, stretching, consumption of food, rest, and
sleep.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0047] The invention provides a system and a method for tracking,
assessing, and managing personalized data related to medical
conditions, diseases, disease symptoms, treatments, body function
metrics, health and well-being, education, and training.
[0048] The invention provides for the collection, storage,
analysis, and graphical display of one or more medical conditions.
Such a system allows for the collection of large amounts of data
that previously was unavailable to patients, medical professionals,
or researchers.
[0049] A web-based data-processing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 can
be used to implement a method for practicing the invention.
Web-based data-processing systems are well known in the art and can
include a client computer 102 and a server computer 104. The client
and server computers can be coupled to each other over the Internet
106. Alternatively, the client and server computers can be coupled
to each other over an intranet, for example, behind a firewall of a
private corporate network. The private corporate network can be the
network for a private hospital.
[0050] The client computer can include a client software program
108 for executing software applications. The client software
program 108 can be an Internet browser such as Internet browsers
such as INTERNET EXPLORER.RTM., available from Microsoft
Corporation of Redmond, Wash., FIREFOX.RTM., available from the
Mozilla Foundation of Mountain View, Calif., or OPERA.RTM.,
available from Opera Software AS of Oslo, Norway. The Internet
browser can display content encoded in a variety of standards such
as Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), and FLASH.RTM., AIR.RTM., and
ACROBAT.RTM. platforms available from Adobe Systems of San Jose,
Calif. User interfaces can include standard web input elements such
as text boxes and toggle buttons for entering text and selecting
options. The client computer can include input devices, such as a
mouse, keyboard, or touch screen for entering information into the
user interface.
[0051] The client computer need not be a personal computer per se,
but rather encompasses devices such as handheld devices, personal
digital assistants, and cellular phones. Mobile devices
advantageously allow for more frequent data collection as well as
well as reminders for patients to engage in an interventions such
as consumption of medication. Suitable mobile device can be
specifically constructed for the methods described herein or can be
existing mobile devices such a smart phones available under the
BLACKBERRY.RTM. trademark from Research in Motion Limited of
Waterloo, Ontario, the PALM.RTM. trademark from Palm, Inc. of
Sunnyvale, Calif., and the IPHONE.TM. trademark from Apple, Inc. of
Cupertino, Calif.
[0052] The server computer can include a server software program
110 including a web server, for example, Apache Server, and an
application server, for example, Cold Fusion Application Server.
The server computer can include a database server or engine for
encoding and storing data. Suitable database software includes
include DB2.RTM. and INFORMIX.RTM., both available from IBM Corp.
of Armonk, N.Y.; MICROSOFT JET.RTM. and MICROSOFT SQL SERVER.RTM.
both available from the Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash.;
MYSQL.RTM. available from the MySQL Ltd. Co. of Stockholm, Sweden;
ORACLE.RTM. Database, available from Oracle Int'l Corp of Redwood
City, Calif.; and SYBASE.RTM. available from Sybase, Inc. of
Dublin, Calif.
[0053] The client software program 108 can be used to provide a
user interface 112 for entering personalized data related to a
patient, for example, a patient diagnosed with ALS. The
personalized data can include patient name, sex, and age 114. The
personalized data can include a medical condition metric, for
example, whether a patient is feeling great, good, fair, poor, or
awful. The personalized data can be submitted to the server
software 120 program and the server software program can receive
the personalized data 122.
[0054] The server program can store the personalized data in memory
on the server computer 130. The memory can be used to store a data
structure including entries for the personalized data. The data
structure can be a structured data file 132 or a relational
database 134.
[0055] The server software program can analyze the data, for
example, using function calls executing on a microprocessor 140.
The server software program can generate a graphical element for
representing the personalized data 150 and send the graphical
element to the client software program 160. The graphical element
can be sent (162) over the Internet 106 and received (164) by the
client software program. The client software program can display
the graphical element 166.
[0056] The graphical element can be generated and sent as an image
or as a series of values for constructing the graphical element.
The image can be sent to the client software program, which can
display the image. Alternatively, a series of values can be sent to
the client software program, which the client software program can
use to construct and display the graphical element. For example, a
plug-in executing in an Internet browser can be used to construct
and display the graphical element. The plug-in can include special
controls for interacting with the graphical element, including
sliders for moving medical condition metrics.
[0057] The server software program can also store, analyze,
generate, and send to the client software program medical outcome
correlations 170 for relating aspects of the medical condition, as
further explained below.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the method can include the steps of
providing a user interface for entering one or more medical
condition metrics for a medical condition 200, storing the medical
condition metrics 202, analyzing the medical condition metrics 204,
and providing a graphical element for displaying the medical system
metrics 206.
Medical Condition Metrics
[0059] A medical condition metric can be a qualitative or
quantitative metric related to a medical condition. For example, a
medical condition metric can be a qualitative measure of an ALS
patient's feeling of well-being at a particular time of day. The
patient may feel great, good, fair, poor, or awful at a particular
time of day due to the symptoms and treatments for ALS, and daily
activities such as eating and exercising that interact with and
affect his condition. Alternatively, the metric can be quantitative
in nature, such as blood pressure (e.g., for a patient with heart
disease), blood glucose level, pulse, temperature, T-cell count,
and the like.
[0060] Various rating scales exist to measure medical conditions.
In addition to discrete scales such as asking whether the patient
feels great/good/fair/poor/awful, numerical scales can be used
which ask the patient to quantify one or aspects of their medical
condition, for example, on a 1-10 numerical scale. The metric can
be a composite metric that produces a numerical representation of
the condition based on a series of measurements. Rating scales for
measuring depression include the Beck Depression Inventory, the
Hamilton Depression Ration Scale, and the Montgomery-Asberg
Depression Rating Scale. Rating scales for assessing ALS patients
include the Appel ALS rating scale and the ALS Functional Rating
Scale (ALSFRS). Rating scales for Parkinson's Disease include the
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).
Providing a User Interface
[0061] Referring again to FIG. 1, a user interface can be a web
page displayed in an Internet browser such as MICROSOFT.RTM.
INTERNET EXPLORER.RTM. (IE) 112. The web page can include standard
user interface elements for entering and selecting information 115.
The information can include personalized data related to a patient
diagnosed with ALS, for example, name, age, sex, type of ALS,
symptoms, mobility, etc. 114. The user interface can be used for
entering medical condition metrics, such as the patient's
assessment of his own feeling of well-being. For example, the user
interface can include an option box including the options, "Great",
"Good", "Fair", "Poor", and "Awful", and a label next to the box
stating "How am I feeling?" 116. Furthermore, the user interface
can include an input box for entering a time for the metric, such
as "April 25, 2007, 2:25 pm" 117. The user interface can include a
button 118 for submitting the entered medical condition metric and
time to a server for storage, analysis, and display.
[0062] The user interface can also be a text-based interface. For
example, the server can send a text message or an email to a
cellular phone or a smart phone asking how the patient is feeling.
The patient can respond with an appropriate answer.
[0063] Likewise, the user interface can be an audio interface in
which the server periodically places a telephone call to the
patient asking how the patient is feeling. The patient can respond
verbally, which will be then processed according to known voice
recognition software.
Representative Data/Time Intervals
[0064] In addition to entering data for a specific time period
(e.g., a day, a week, a month, a year), the patient can enter
representative data reflecting how the patient generally feels
through the day. This representative day can be compared with
aggregates of actual data, which may alert the patient and/or the
patient's health care provider to a difference between the
patient's perception and reality.
Storage
[0065] The method can include the step of storing the entered
medical condition metrics, either locally or on a server computer.
The server computer can include a memory for storing the metrics
e.g., removable memory, such as a compact disk. Storing the metrics
can include using a data structure to include entries of the data.
The data structure can be stored in a structured data file 132 or
in a relational database storage area 134 (see FIG. 1).
Analysis
[0066] The method can include the step of analyzing the entered
medical condition metrics. The analysis can be done locally or on a
server computer. The server computer can include a microprocessor
for executing the analysis, for example, the INTEL.RTM. x86
microprocessor or a dual-core processor, available from Intel
Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. The analysis can include, for
example, normalizing the metrics or converting the metrics to
different units.
Graphical Element
[0067] The method can include the step of providing a graphical
element 300 for displaying the medical condition metrics as shown
in FIG. 3. The graphical element can be comprised of other elements
for displaying a rich variety of data about a medical condition.
The graphical element can include, for example, symbols, figures,
icons, colors, backgrounds, widgets and textual information to
relate various aspects of the medical condition.
[0068] The graphical element can include a time scale 302 showing a
series of times 304 at which medical condition metrics were taken.
For example, a metric can be taken at 2:00 AM (306). The graphical
can include a medical condition metric scale 310. The metric scale
includes a range of values 312 for the metric. For example, the
range of values for "How are you feeling?" can be from "Great" to
"Awful." The graphical element can include one or more points 320,
each point display a metric. For example, a point can represent the
metric "I'm feeling great!" at 5:00 PM, Jul. 4, 2007 (322). The
point is displayed in the graphical element at a location
corresponding the metric's position in the range of values along
the metric scale and an entered time along the time scale. The
entered time can be the time the metric was taken.
Patient Profiles and Medical Outcome Correlations
[0069] The method can further include providing a patient profile
210 and a medical correlation outcome 212, as shown in FIG. 2. The
patient profile can include personalized data about a patient such
as name, sex, and age, and the patient's medical condition. One
example of the medical condition is ALS. The patient profile can
include medical condition metrics related to the patient's medical
condition. For example, the profile can include a set of metrics
regarding how an ALS patient is feeling using metrics taken and
entered at various times throughout a 24 hour period. A patient may
have multiple patient profiles, each representing related medical
condition metrics. For example, a patient may be diagnosed with
both ALS and depression and may have a profile for both
diseases.
[0070] The method can provide a medical correlation outcome. A
medical outcome correlation is a medical outcome that can be
correlated to entered metrics, treatments, daily activities, and
other personalized data related to a medical condition. The outcome
can be limited to time periods, e.g., 24 hour time periods. For
example, a medical outcome correlation for an ALS patient can be:
"Show me all the days I felt better-than-average." In the
alternative, the medical outcome correlation can be: "Show me all
the days I took riluzole in the morning." The medical outcome
correlations can be prepackaged or can be customized to entered
values. Also, the method may automatically provide the medical
outcome correlations as the patient enters medical condition
metrics, and views the results.
[0071] A medical correlation outcome can be produced by a
microprocessor on the server computer executing a server software
program for analyzing patient profiles of stored metrics. For
example, an ALS patient may want to view all the days he felt
better-than-average. The patient can enter the medical outcome
correlation and the method can provide a set of displayed metric
points matching the outcome in the graphical element. For example,
the server software program can search through the patient profiles
storing metrics for each day. The server software program can
average the metrics and determine that six days match the medical
outcome "Show me all the days I felt better-than-average" and
provide six displays 400 as shown in FIG. 4. By viewing the days,
the patient may notice that on most of the days, he took his
treatments early in the day, exercised in the late morning, and ate
a light meal at noontime. He may also notice that a nap in the
early afternoon helped minimize certain symptoms, such as fatigue
or nausea. Thus, he can determine that this general pattern of
behavior tends to result in good days. In this way, the method can
help a patent self-assess and manage his medical condition and plan
his days.
[0072] Referring again to FIG. 4, each graphical element 402 can
depict a medical condition over time for a particular day or for a
plurality of days. For example, if a patient is viewing interface
400 on day n, graphical element 402a can represent day n-1,
graphical element 402b can represent day n-2, graphical element
402c can represent day n-3, graphical element 402d can represent
day n-4, graphical element 402e can represent day n-5, and
graphical element 402f can represent day n-6. In another example,
each graphical element can represent an aggregate or average of the
medical condition over for a subset of days in which a particular
intervention occurred. Graphical element 402a could represent the
days on which the patient took a particular medication, while
graphical element 402b represented the days on which the patient
took a nap in the after, etc.
Point Movement Means
[0073] The step of providing a user interface for entering medical
condition metrics can further include providing a point movement
means for moving metrics points in the graphical element. The point
movement means can be a graphical slider 330 attached to a metric
point. The slider can also move multiple points. The method can
further include an input received from a user, e.g., from a mouse,
keyboard, or touch-screen activated by a user. For example, the
input can include moving a mouse to select a point, and sliding the
mouse in a manner corresponding to upward, downward, leftward, or
rightward motion of the point on the graphical element.
Lines Connecting Metric Points
[0074] Referring again to FIG. 3, the method can further include
providing a line 340 connecting the metric points. The line can be
a polyline, i.e., a series of separate line segments 342, each line
segment joining adjacent points. The line can be multiple lines,
each line joining the metric points for related medical condition
metrics or medical outcome correlations. For example, one line can
join all the metrics for the medical condition metric, "how am I
feeling?", and another line can join all the metrics for the
medical condition metric, "trouble swallowing". In this way, an ALS
patient can simultaneously view two medical condition metrics
entered for a particular day. In another example, a patient
diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease can view metrics related to
tremors, balance, and muscle stiffness, each metric displayed with
a separate polyline. In some instances, the patient may notice that
the metrics are correlated or not correlated. For example, balance
and muscle stiffness may be correlated because they trend in
similar directions throughout the day, or sleepiness and tremors
may not be correlated because they trend in opposite
directions.
Status Information
[0075] The graphical element can include a status element 350 for
representing a medical condition metric. The status element can
include a color element 352 and a textual description 354. The
status element can be displayed in the graphical element at a
location adjacent to the related metric point. For example, the
status element can be displayed beneath a metric point, the color
element can be green to denote a positive status, and can include
the description, "I'm feeling great!"
Treatment Information
[0076] The graphical element can include a treatment graphical
element 360 for representing a treatment of a person. For example,
the treatment graphical element can represent riluzole taken by an
ALS patient. The treatment graphical element can include a name, a
dosage amount, and a treatment frequency 362.
[0077] The method can further include the step of providing a list
of treatments for a medical condition. For example, the list can
include treatments and therapies for Parkinson's Disease, including
carbidopa, bromocriptine, rasagiline, surgical interventions, and
speech therapy. One or more of the treatments can be selected from
the list, dragged, and dropped over a location in the graphical
element corresponding to the time of day the treatment was
administered to the patient. For example, a mouse can be used to
select a treatment element from the list (i.e., press the left
mouse button to select), drag the treatment element (i.e., move the
mouse while holding the button), and dropped (i.e., release the
left mouse button).
[0078] The method can further include providing a maximum and a
minimum medical condition metric value. For example, the maximum
value for a metric degree of mobility can be 100% (i.e., full
mobility), and the minimum value can be 0% (i.e., paralysis).
Alternatively, the maximum value for how am I feeling metric can be
"Great" and the minimum value can be "Awful."
Time Scale
[0079] The time scale 302 can further include a start time 308 and
an end time 309. For example, the start time can be 6 am, and the
end time can be 5:00 AM. The start and end time can be about 24
hours apart, corresponding to about a day, for example 12:00:00 AM
on Saturday, Apr. 27, 2007, through 11:59:59 PM on Saturday, Apr.
27, 2007. The start and end time can be about one week or one month
apart. Alternatively, the start and end time can include a time
span appropriate for the medical condition metric. For example, the
start and end time can represent a woman's menstrual cycle.
Interventions
[0080] The graphical element can further include an intervention
graphical element representing interventions related to the medical
condition, education, or training of a person. The interventions
can include exercise regimens of a runner training for a track
event. For example, the measured time period can include a six
month period, ending on the day of the event. The metrics can
include time to run a mile and cramping. The interventions can
include exercise regimens related to the training, such
cardiovascular workouts and weight training. The runner can track
his improvement, and determine whether to change his exercise
routine.
[0081] The interventions can include activities related to food
intake, such as snacks or meals. Similarly, a cancer patient
measuring nausea and fatigue can also include food intake to
determine if particular foods and meal times and affect his nausea
and fatigue.
Users
[0082] The method can be directed toward a user entering
personalized data, including medical condition metrics related to
medical condition, and viewing the personalized data using the
graphical element as described above. The method steps can be
practiced by, for example, a web user. The web user can be a
patient diagnosed with a disease, such as Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's Disease,
cystic fibrosis, Huntington's Disease, Tourette's Syndrome, heart
disease, cancer, Crohn's Disease or other life-changing illnesses.
The web user can also be a nurse or doctor of the patient or
clinician conducting research.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 5, the method can include the steps of
entering medical condition metrics 500, and viewing the medical
condition metrics using the a graphical element 502 as described
above. The method can further include entering a medical outcome
correlation 504, for example, "Show me all the day during which I
felt better-than-average," and viewing the medical outcome
correlation using the graphical element 506.
Intervention Timing
[0084] The invention can aid patients in adherence to prescription
instructions. The invention can include manufacturer's prescribing
information for one or more medications or may be able to access
such information through sources such as the Physician's Desk
Reference, available from Thomson Corporation of Toronto, Ontario.
When a patient enters information about an intervention such as
taking a medication or eating, the invention can review these
intervention to determine if the timing is in accordance with the
manufacturer's prescribing information. For example, if a patient
consumes a medication with a meal, the user interface may advise
the patient that the particular medication should be taken an hour
before eating.
Data Structure
[0085] The invention can be directed toward a computer-readable
medium device for encoding a data structure. As shown in FIG. 6,
the data structure can include entries for personalized data of a
person and a medical condition of the person 600. These entries can
include the person's name, age, sex, age, and a medical condition
of the person, such as ALS. The person can have a unique identifier
stored in the data structure. The medical condition can also have a
unique identifier stored in the data structure. The data structure
can include entries for medical condition metrics 602 related to a
person's medical condition, for example, a medical condition metric
can be irritability related to a person with bipolar disorder. The
data structure can include metric values, the day the metric was
taken, and the time of day the metric was taken. The data structure
can include entries for a medical outcome correlation 604.
[0086] The data structure entries can be transferred from a memory
located on a server computer to a client computer to execute
functions of a client software program. Alternatively, the client
software computer can transfer entered values, such as medical
condition metrics, to the server computer. The server computer can
store the entered values in the data structure for use later. The
computer-readable medium device can be physically shipped with a
software program.
Additional User Interface Embodiments
[0087] Referring now to FIG. 7, another exemplary user interface
700 is provided. Although user interface 700 is customized for a
patient suffering from Parkinson's disease, the principles
explained and depicted herein are equally applicable to any
disease.
[0088] User interface 700 includes a medical condition metric
portion 702, which allows the patient to input a medical condition
metric (in this example, the patient's functional ability). The
user can place multiple data points 704 in the medical condition
metric chart, which includes a time scale. Data points 704 can be
adjusted with respect to time and/or magnitude. For example, if the
patient is indicating how she feels now or at a designated time,
the patient can be limited to moving data point 704 up or down.
Alternatively, the patient can input data for a time by dragging
the data point to the left or right. The patient can be restricted
in some embodiments from setting a data point in the future.
[0089] User interface 700 also includes an intervention portion
708. Intervention portion 708 allows the patient to record one or
more interventions such as administration of a medication,
administration of a remedy, administration of a nutritional
supplement, administration of a vitamin, exercise, physical
therapy, massage, stretching, consumption of food, rest, and sleep.
For example, the patient can designate when meals are eaten by
adjusting bars 710a, 710b, 710c to indicate the beginning and
ending of the meal. Likewise, the patient can indicate when one or
more drugs 714a-714e are administered by placing markers 712 (which
may depict pills) on a time scale.
[0090] Various types of remedies can be scheduled for specific
times. For example, the patient can be prescribed to take madopar
at 6:00 AM In this situation, user interface 700 can display a
medication schedule. The patient can modify this schedule to
reflect the actually administration by dragging marker 712a.
Likewise, the patient can indicate that the drug was consumed by
clicking on the marker 712a. Clicking on the marker can change the
appearance of the marker 712a (e.g., its color) and thus can be
used by patients, particularly patients with memory problems, to
more faithfully follow a medication program.
[0091] User interface 700 can also include pharmacokinetic data,
such a pharmacokinetic curve 716 that depicts the concentration of
a medication within the patient over time. Multiple pharmacokinetic
curves 716 can be depicted in various colors or patterns to reflect
varying pharmacokinetic properties of various medications.
Slider Bar
[0092] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, an embodiment of a user interface
is provided. As in FIG. 7, a medical condition metric portion 802
is provided. In FIG. 8A, the first medical condition metric is
recorded for a day. The patient either indicates that she wishes to
record metric from 6:00 AM or accesses the user interface at 6:00
AM at which point the user interface can default to 6:00 AM. The
patient manipulates slider bar 804 to input a medical condition
metric. For example, if the patient wishes to indicate that `2` is
the medical metric (e.g., a measurement of pain on a scale from
0-4), the user drags handle 806 the slider bar 804 to the `2`
position as depicted in FIG. 8A.
[0093] Data point 806a can move up and down along vertical line
808a as the handle 806 is moved or data point 806a may not appear
until the medical condition metric is finalized. A metric can be
"finalized" in a number of ways, including by clicking the handle
806 to lock the handle 806. Additionally or alternatively, the
metric can be finalized by a period of inactivity, for example,
about fifteen seconds, about thirty seconds, and about one
minute.
[0094] Referring now to FIG. 8B, the patient enters a second
medical condition metric. The patient again moves the handle 806 of
the slider bar 804. If the system is configured so that the data
point 808b moves with the handle 806, line segment 812a also moves.
Thus, the patient can readily see whether they are indicating that
a medical condition metric is improving or deteriorating and verify
that such a change truly reflects their experience.
[0095] As discussed in the context of FIG. 8A, the patient can
indicate that she wishes to record metrics from 9:00 AM or can
access the user interface at 9:00 AM at which point the user
interface can default to 9:00 AM. The patient can leave the user
interface open for a period of time and the patient can continue to
access the user interface and manipulate the slider bar. Each time
the user manipulates the slider bar 804, a new data point can be
set for that time that the slider bar is manipulated.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 8C, the patient again manipulates the
slider bar 804 to enter a third data point 808c and form a new line
segment 812b.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 8D, the patient indicates that the medical
condition remains a `3` at 3:00 PM. The slider bar handle 806 can
remains at the `3` position from the 12:00 PM data entry. The
patient can indicate that the metric remains a `3` by clicking on
the handle 306 to lock the slider bar 304. During this, line
segment 812c can grow horizontally from data point 808c as time
progresses from 12:00 PM. Otherwise, the slider bar handle 806 can
disappear after data point 808c is set. Handle 806 reappears when
the patient clicks or moves the mouse over the slider bar 804.
Application to Depression
[0098] Some modern theories of depression posit that depression
results from cognitive distortions. While all individuals become
sad or upset at some points in time, most individuals have the
perspective to recognize that such feeling are short-lived.
However, individuals with a major depressive disorder are thought
by some to lack the ability to recognize recall a time before they
entered a depressive episode, and therefore cannot anticipate
better times in the future.
[0099] The invention described herein are capable of helping
persons dealing with depression. Depressed persons can enter their
mood or other medical condition metrics into the systems described
herein and retrieve graphical representations of these metrics over
time. Such a system provides external memory and perspective for
the patient.
[0100] Furthermore, the inventions described herein can be used by
generally healthy individuals in advance of disease. For example,
military personnel can record medical condition metrics before
deployment to an armed conflict. Such prior medical condition
metrics can serve both as a reference point for the military
personnel when coping with conditions such a post traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) and to military health personnel seeking to screen
for PTSD.
[0101] The functions of several elements can, in alternative
embodiments, be carried out by fewer elements, or a single element.
Similarly, any functional element can perform fewer, or different,
operations than those described with respect to the illustrated
embodiment. Also, functional elements (e.g., modules, databases,
computers, clients, servers, and the like) shown as distinct for
purposes of illustration can be incorporated within other
functional elements, separated in different hardware or distributed
in a particular implementation.
[0102] While certain embodiments according to the invention have
been described, the invention is not limited to just the described
embodiments. Various changes and/or modifications can be made to
any of the described embodiments without departing from the spirit
or scope of the invention. Also, various combinations of elements,
steps, features, and/or aspects of the described embodiments are
possible and contemplated even if such combinations are not
expressly identified herein.
Incorporation by Reference
[0103] All patents, published patent applications, and other
references disclosed herein are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference in their entireties by reference.
Equivalents
[0104] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents of the specific embodiments of the invention described
herein. Specifically, although this application periodically
discusses the application of the invention to "diseases", the
invention is equally applicable to other medical events such as
aging, fertility, and the like. Such equivalents are intended to be
encompassed by the following Claims.
* * * * *