Patent Issued for Methods And Systems For Managing Patient Treatment Compliance (USPTO 10,839,951)

2020 NOV 30 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- WellDoc Inc. (Columbia, Maryland, United States) has been issued patent number 10,839,951, according to news reporting originating out of Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx editors.

The patent’s inventors are Sysko, Ryan (Wilmington, DE); Bergstrom, Chris (Millersville, MD).

This patent was filed on December 12, 2017 and was published online on November 30, 2020.

From the background information supplied by the inventors, news correspondents obtained the following quote: “Physicians often ascertain patient compliance with treatment instructions after subsequent patient visits and evaluation. In some cases, failure to comply with physician treatment instructions may lead to prolonged patient illness and/or worsened patient health. In addition, lack of proper compliance may lead to a waste of medical devices, drugs, or other prescribed therapies. This waste, in turn, may lead to increased medical costs, as well as improper feedback of the physician’s treatment plan and/or the efficacy of the prescribed therapy. Further, patient compliance with physician treatment instructions may still fail to provide patients with dynamic information and assistance with managing their disease.

“Accordingly, a need exists for methods and systems for monitoring patient behavior and treatment, drug and/or therapy usage, compliance, and improved patient compliance.”

Supplementing the background information on this patent, NewsRx reporters also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “Examples of the present disclosure relate to, among other things, patient monitoring. Each of the examples disclosed herein may include one or more of the features described in connection with any of the other disclosed examples.

“In one example, a computer implemented method for providing and monitoring patient compliance with a patient healthcare treatment plan may include receiving, from a healthcare provider over a network, application features for generating a patient application including patient instructions for using a medical therapy. The method also may include generating an application for a patient, the application including at least an input for the patient to input data for use in evaluating patient compliance with the patient healthcare treatment plan. The method also may include receiving, from the healthcare provider over the network, a prescription for the application for the patient, activating the application after the patient receives at least one instruction on use of the application, and receiving patient compliance data from the application over the network based on the input.

“Examples of the method may include one or more of the following features: further comprising a step of providing, via the network, a notification to a dispenser to refill a patient prescription for the medical therapy based on the patient compliance data; the step of activating the application may comprise receiving, over the network, instructions from a patient’s insurance company; the method may further include sending, via the network, a report to the healthcare provider, based on the patient compliance data; wherein the step of generating the application for the patient comprises electronically acquiring a national drug code number from a regulatory entity; wherein the step of receiving patient compliance data may include automatically updating the application based on electronic feedback; wherein the at least one instruction may be conducted online; wherein the step of receiving the application features for generating a patient application may include providing access to an electronic medical record of the patient; further comprising generating a medical profile of the patient based on parsing the electronic medical record of the patient; and further comprising generating electronic feedback to the patient based on electronic processing of the compliance data.

“In another example, a system for providing and monitoring compliance with a patient healthcare treatment plan may include a data storage device storing instructions for causing computer servers or mobile devices to one of generate or provide the patient healthcare treatment plan and evaluate patient compliance with the patient healthcare treatment plan. The system also may include a processing device configured to execute instructions to perform a method of: receiving, from a healthcare provider over a network, application features for generating a patient application including patient instructions for using a medical therapy; generating an application for a patient, the application including at least an input for patient to input data for use in evaluating patient compliance with the patient healthcare treatment plan; receiving, from the healthcare provider over the network, a prescription for the application for the patient; activating the application after the patient receives at least one instruction on use of the application; and receiving patient compliance data from the application over the network based on the input.

“In another example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be configured for storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to provide and monitor compliance with a patient healthcare treatment plan, the instructions may comprise: receiving, from a healthcare provider over a network, application features for generating a patient application including patient instructions for using medication; generating an application for a patient, the application including at least an input for the user to input data for use in evaluating patient compliance with a treatment plan; receiving, from the healthcare provider over the network, a prescription for the application for the patient; and activating the application after the patient receives training on use of the application; and receiving patient compliance data from the application over the network.

“Additional objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

“It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments

“According to some embodiments, disclosed herein is a process that allows healthcare providers to prescribe computer applications or other software programs/algorithms for behavioral monitoring and treatment of their patients.

“In one embodiment, the process includes a means where an exemplary application, such as a mobile health (mHealth) application, is used by a patient as part of his/her healthcare treatment plan in order to introduce proactive thinking into health consciousness of the patient.

“In another embodiment, the process may include a means that may allow the healthcare provider to have an outside system monitor the health of their patient and relieve the burden associated with proactive health care from healthcare providers.

“Still further, the process may include a means where the prescription event (post hoc treatment of symptoms) becomes event-related to proactive treatment and management of patient disease.

“In another aspect, it is further contemplated to introduce a mobile health (mHealth) application usage as a service to all entities in a health care system, including pharmaceutical companies, the healthcare providers, patients, retailers, pharmacies, and health insurance companies.

“In another embodiment, it is contemplated to reduce fraud and abuse by introducing patient compliance with a mobile health (mHealth) application as a parameter for successful treatment of a disease.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“What is claimed is:

“1. A computer-implemented method for providing and monitoring user compliance with a regimen over a network, the method comprising: analyzing properties of a disease based on patient data, wherein the properties of the disease comprise temporary, chronic, and persistent symptoms associated with the disease, a duration associated with the disease, and treatments associated with the disease; generating a software based on analyzing the properties of the disease; acquiring a national drug code number form a regulatory entity; acquiring a national provider identifier (NPI), wherein an application based on the software is prescribed, via a prescription from a health care provider, based on at least one of the national drug code number and the NPI; providing the prescription to a third party that generates an activation code based on the prescription via a third party server unaffiliated with the health care provider; providing an instruction to a user to obtain the activation code, for the application, from the third party, wherein the user is one of an inpatient, an outpatient, a health care consumer, or an assisted living resident; generating a user personal medical profile based on receiving patient identification information, user device information, and an electronic medical record of the patient, wherein the user personal medical profile is further based on parsing the electronic medical record into user data and comparing the user data to one or more existing template patient profiles, and wherein the user personal medical profile is generated based on a model generated from a machine learning algorithm, wherein the machine learning algorithm includes one or more of a decision tree learning algorithm, an association rule learning algorithm, an artificial neural network, an inductive logic programming algorithm, a support vector machines based algorithm, a clustering algorithm, a Bayesian networks algorithm, a reinforcement learning algorithm, a representation learning algorithm, a similarity and metric learning algorithm, and a sparse dictionary learning algorithm; storing the user personal medical profile and the user data, wherein the stored personal medical profile and the user data are accessed by the application for use and wherein the stored personal medical profile and the user data are updated by the application; applying the activation code received from the third party; permitting user access to the application only after the applied activation code being confirmed via the application; generating the application for operation on a user device having a graphical user interface (GUI), the application including an input for the user to input data via the GUI for use in evaluating compliance with the regimen, wherein the user device is one of a desktop computer, a game console, a laptop, a notebook, a palmtop, a tablet, a smartphone, or a smart book; providing instructional information via the user device, the instructional information including instructions for use of the application and being provided via one or more of a text message, a video tutorial, a slide show, and an animation; receiving patient entries input via the GUI, over the network; analyzing patient entries for compliance with the regimen based on the patient entries, wherein analyzing the patient entries comprises comparing the patient entries to the user personal medical profile to determine that one or more of a change or an action is needed; providing feedback, via the application, to the patient, based on analyzing the patient entries; processing a request for one or more healthcare products via the application, wherein the one or more healthcare products may be selected from a pharmaceutical, a medical therapy, and a medical device; providing a report to a compliance entity based on analyzing the patient entries, wherein the report comprises an analysis of patient compliance with the regimen, wherein the compliance entity is an insurance company; activating the application based on receiving, over the network, an instruction to activate the application from the compliance entity; automatically updating the application based on the patient entries; determining unauthorized use of the application based on one or more of an unauthorized user, an unauthorized device, or an unauthorized use; generating an alert, via the network, based on determining the unauthorized use of the application and providing the alert to the provider; sending, via the network, a report to the provider, based on analyzing the patient entries; receiving, over the network, instructions for the regimen; receiving user compliance data from the application over the network based on the patient entries; and generating electronic feedback to the user based on electronic processing of the user compliance data.

“2. A system for providing and monitoring compliance with a regimen over a network, the system comprising: a data storage device storing instructions for causing computer servers and user devices to generate, provide, or evaluate compliance with, the regimen; and a processing device configured to execute instructions to perform a method of: analyzing properties of a disease based on patient data, wherein the properties of the disease comprise temporary, chronic, and persistent symptoms associated with the disease, a duration associated with the disease, and treatments associated with the disease; generating a software based on analyzing the properties of the disease; acquiring a national drug code number form a regulatory entity; acquiring a national provider identifier (NPI), wherein an application based on the software is prescribed, via a prescription form a health care provider based on at least one of the national drug code number and the NPI; providing the prescription to a third party, that generates an activation code based on the prescription via a third party server unaffiliated with the health care provider; providing an instruction to a user to obtain the activation code, for the application, from the third party; generating a user personal medical profile based on receiving patient identification information, user device information, and an electronic medical record of the patient, wherein the user personal medical profile is further based on parsing the electronic medical record into user data and comparing the user data to one or more existing template patient profiles, and wherein the user personal medical profile is generated based on a model generated from a machine learning algorithm; storing the user personal medical profile and the user data, wherein the stored personal medical profile and the user data are accessed by the application for use and wherein the stored personal medical profile and the user data are updated by the application; applying the activation code received from the third party; permitting user access to the application only after the applied activation code being confirmed via the application; generating the application for operation on a user device having a graphical user interface (GUI), the application including an input for the user to input data via the GUI for use in evaluating compliance with the regimen; providing instructional information via the user device, the instructional information including instructions for use of the application and being provided via one or more of a text message, a video tutorial, a slide show, and an animation; receiving patient entries input via the GUI, over the network; analyzing patient entries for compliance with the regimen based on the patient entries, wherein analyzing the patient entries comprises comparing the patient entries to the user personal medical profile to determine that one or more of a change or an action is needed; providing feedback, via the application, to the patient, based on analyzing the patient entries; processing a request for one or more healthcare products via the application, wherein the one or more healthcare products may be selected from a pharmaceutical, a medical therapy, and a medical device; providing a report to a compliance entity based on analyzing the patient entries, wherein the report comprises an analysis of patient compliance with the regimen; and receiving user compliance data from the application over the network based on the patient entries.

“3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions to provide, via the network, a notification to a dispenser to refill a prescription for the application based on analyzing the patient entries.

“4. The system of claim 2, wherein the compliance entity is an insurance company and further comprising activating the application based on receiving, over the network, instructions from the compliance entity.

“5. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions to send, via the network, a report to the user, based on analyzing the patient entries.

“6. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions to automatically update the application based on the patient entries.

“7. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to receive, over the network, instructions for the regimen.

“8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to provide and monitor compliance with a regimen over a network, the instructions comprising: analyzing properties of a disease based on patient data, wherein the properties of the disease comprise temporary, chronic, and persistent symptoms associated with the disease, a duration associated with the disease, and treatments associated with the disease; generating a software based on analyzing the properties of the disease; acquiring a national drug code number form a regulatory entity; acquiring a national provider identifier (NPI), wherein an application based on the software is prescribed, via a prescription from a health care provider, based on at least one of the national drug code number and the NPI; providing the prescription to a third party, that generates an activation code based on the prescription via a third party server unaffiliated with the health care provider; providing an instruction to a user to obtain the activation code, for the application, from the third party; generating a user personal medical profile based on receiving patient identification information, user device information, and an electronic medical record of the patient, wherein the user personal medical profile is further based on parsing the electronic medical record into user data and comparing the user data to one or more existing template patient profiles, and wherein the user personal medical profile is generated based on a model generated from a machine learning algorithm; storing the user personal medical profile and the user data, wherein the stored personal medical profile and the user data are accessed by the application for use and wherein the stored personal medical profile and the user data are updated by the application; applying the activation code received from the third party; permitting user access to the application only after the applied activation code being confirmed via the application; generating the application for operation on a user device having a graphical user interface (GUI), the application including an input for the user to input data via the GUI for use in evaluating compliance with the regimen; providing instructional information via the user device, the instructional information including instructions for use of the application and being provided via one or more of a text message, a video tutorial, a slide show, and an animation; receiving patient entries input via the GUI, over the network; analyzing patient entries for compliance with the regimen based on the patient entries, wherein analyzing the patient entries comprises comparing the patient entries to the user personal medical profile to determine that one or more of a change or an action is needed; providing feedback, via the application, to the patient, based on analyzing the patient entries; processing a request for one or more healthcare products via the application, wherein the one or more healthcare products may be selected from a pharmaceutical, a medical therapy, and a medical device; providing a report to a compliance entity based on analyzing the patient entries, wherein the report comprises an analysis of patient compliance with the regimen; and receiving user compliance data from the application over the network based on the patient entries.”

For the URL and additional information on this patent, see: Sysko, Ryan; Bergstrom, Chris. Methods And Systems For Managing Patient Treatment Compliance. U.S. Patent Number 10,839,951, filed December 12, 2017, and published online on November 30, 2020. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10,839,951.PN.&OS=PN/10,839,951RS=PN/10,839,951

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)