System and method for automated dosage calculation and patient treatment life cycle

Abstract

A system and method for automatically calculating an accurate recommended dosage for hormone replacement therapy and automating the life cycle of a patient's treatment over time. The system and method can automatically acquire relevant patient parameters and apply a consistent formulaic approach to help reduce incorrect dosage determinations. A pellet insertion size may be determined and documented based on a calculated dosage, and an insertion side and lot numbers may be tracked and managed. In addition, corresponding revenues may be tracked and profitability may be reported for hormone replacement therapy practices.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for determining a dosage of a hormone to be administered to a patient, the system comprising:
 an input device;   a display screen; and   at least one electronic circuit configured to perform the following operations:
 receiving, from the input device, an input signal of a user indicating an input directed to a patient sex and a patient status, wherein the patient status is automatically determined by the electronic circuit and includes at least one of a new patient, a returning patient and a booster patient; 
 if the patient sex is female, determining by the electronic circuit an effective estradiol dosage and an effective testosterone dosage using dosage calculation methods selected based on the patient status, automated female input parameters, and female tracking parameters; 
 if the patient sex is male, determining by the electronic circuit an effective testosterone dosage using dosage calculation methods selected based on the patient status, automated male input parameters, and male tracking parameters; and 
 displaying, on the display screen, the determined effective dosages. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the automated female input parameters and the automated male input parameters include at least one of a physical activity level, a quantity of patient visits, patient age, patient height, weight, race, number of pregnancies, number of live births, number of abortions, history of renal disease, active liver disease, hysterectomy, history of cervical cancer, history of ovarian cancer, history of fibrocystic breast disease, history of breast cancer, current follical stimulating hormone (FSH) level, current testosterone level, current estradiol level, current non-pellet estradiol dose, current non-pellet testosterone dose, history of acne, history of facial hair, history of hair loss, history of prostate cancer, history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), history of hysterectomy, history of heavy menses, and history of metabolic syndrome. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic circuit is configured to automatically calculate at least one of the patient age based on a date of birth entered into the input device by the user and the patient height based on a height parameter entered into the input device by the user. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dosage calculation methods include tracking at least one of a pellet insertion location, a pellet insertion side, a pellet dose, pellet lot numbers, insertion notes, a previous testosterone dose, and a previous estradiol dose. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dosage calculation methods are configured to apply a pellet allocation algorithm, stored on the electronic circuit, to determine an estradiol pellet size insertion corresponding to the effective estradiol dosage and a testosterone pellet size insertion corresponding to the effective testosterone dosage, wherein a quantity of the estradiol pellet size insertion and the testosterone pellet size insertion are minimized. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the pellet allocation algorithm is configured to carry out the steps of:
 providing a plurality of pellet sizes ordered from largest to smallest;   subtracting a largest of the plurality of pellet sizes from the effective dosage;
 if a result of the subtraction is greater than zero, assigning the largest of the plurality of pellet sizes as the estradiol pellet size insertion or the testosterone pellet size insertion; 
 if a result of the subtraction is less than zero, subtracting a next smallest one of the plurality of pellet sizes from the effective dosage until the result is greater than zero;
 taking an absolute value of the result of the subtraction that is less than zero and of the result of the subtraction that is greater than zero; and 
 assigning one of the plurality of pellet sizes as the estradiol pellet size insertion or the testosterone pellet size insertion corresponding to the result having a lesser absolute value. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method of providing a dosage and a patient treatment life-cycle on a device comprising an electronic circuit, an input device, and a display screen, the method comprising:
 receiving, using the device, an input signal of a user indicating an input directed to a patient sex and a patient status, wherein the patient status is automatically determined by the electronic circuit and includes at least one of a new patient, a returning patient and a booster patient;   if the patient sex is female, determining by the electronic circuit an effective estradiol dosage and an effective testosterone dosage using dosage calculation methods selected based on the patient status, automated female input parameters, and female tracking parameters;   if the patient sex is male, determining by the electronic circuit an effective testosterone dosage using dosage calculation methods selected based on the patient status, automated male input parameters, and male tracking parameters; and   displaying, on the display screen, the determined effective dosages.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the automated female input parameters and the automated male input parameters include at least one of a physical activity level, a quantity of patient visits, patient age, patient height, weight, race, number of pregnancies, number of live births, number of abortions, history of renal disease, active liver disease, hysterectomy, history of cervical cancer, history of ovarian cancer, history of fibrocystic breast disease, history of breast cancer, current follical stimulating hormone (FSH) level, current testosterone level, current estradiol level, current non-pellet estradiol dose, current non-pellet testosterone dose, history of acne, history of facial hair, history of hair loss, history of prostate cancer, history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), history of hysterectomy, history of heavy menses, and history of metabolic syndrome. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the dosage method for a female booster and return patient further includes:
 receiving, by the electronic circuit, female non-pellet testosterone usage, whether patient is pre-menopausal, estradiol level, and whether patient has migraines;   if patient is pre-menopausal with estradiol level greater than 10 milligrams and patient has migraines, determining, by the electronic circuit, an estradiol dosage=0; and   if patient uses non-pellet testosterone, determining, by the electronic circuit, a testosterone dosage=0.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein determining the effective dosages is base on input parameters including at least one of a physical activity level, a quantity of patient visits, patient age, patient height, weight, race, number of pregnancies, number of live births, number of abortions, history of renal disease, active liver disease, hysterectomy, history of cervical cancer, history of ovarian cancer, history of fibrocystic breast disease, history of breast cancer, current follical stimulating hormone (FSH) level, current testosterone level, current estradiol level, current non-pellet estradiol dose, current non-pellet testosterone dose, history of acne, history of facial hair, history of hair loss, history of prostate cancer, history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), history of hysterectomy, history of heavy menses, and history of metabolic syndrome. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein using dosage calculation methods selected based on the female tracking parameters and the male tracking parameters includes tracking at least one of a pellet insertion location, a pellet insertion side, a pellet dose, pellet lot numbers, insertion notes, a previous testosterone dose, and a previous estradiol dose. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of automatically filling in at least one of the previous estradiol dose and the previous testosterone dose on the display screen of the input device, wherein the previous estradiol dose and the previous testosterone dose are based on a last full dosage, the last full dosage being different from previous effective dosages. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein tracking the pellet insertion location and the pellet insertion side is based on historical insertion information including at least one of a hip location, an abdominal location, a left side, and a right side; and
 wherein, based on the historical insertion information, the pellet insertion location and the pellet insertion side are automatically determined by the electronic circuit.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of providing an option to the user to manually input at least one of the pellet insertion location and the pellet insertion side, the at least one of the pellet insertion location and the pellet insertion side being different from the pellet insertion location and the pellet insertion side automatically determined by the electronic circuit. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein using dosage calculation methods includes applying a pellet allocation algorithm, stored on the electronic circuit, to determine an estradiol pellet size insertion corresponding to the effective estradiol dosage and a testosterone pellet size insertion corresponding to the effective testosterone dosage, wherein a quantity of the estradiol pellet size insertion and the testosterone pellet size insertion are minimized. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of providing an option to the user to manually input at least one of the estradiol pellet size insertion and the testosterone pellet size insertion, the at least one of the estradiol pellet size insertion and the testosterone pellet size insertion being different from the estradiol pellet size insertion and the testosterone pellet size insertion determined by the pellet allocation algorithm. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the pellet allocation algorithm is configured to carry out the steps of:
 providing a plurality of pellet sizes ordered from largest to smallest;   subtracting a largest of the plurality of pellet sizes from the effective dosage;
 if a result of the subtraction is greater than zero, assigning the largest of the plurality of pellet sizes as the estradiol pellet size insertion or the testosterone pellet size insertion; 
 if a result of the subtraction is less than zero, subtracting a next smallest one of the plurality of pellet sizes from the effective dosage until the result is greater than zero;
 taking an absolute value of the result of the subtraction that is less than zero and of the result of the subtraction that is greater than zero; and 
 assigning one of the plurality of pellet sizes as the estradiol pellet size insertion or the testosterone pellet size insertion corresponding to the result having a lesser absolute value. 
 
   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 displaying an estradiol pellet size insertion corresponding to the effective estradiol dosage and a testosterone pellet size insertion corresponding to the effective testosterone dosage;   receiving, using the device, another input signal of the user indicating at least one of an increase and a decrease in at least one of the estradiol pellet size insertion and the testosterone pellet size insertion; and   calculating, in real-time, an updated effective estradiol dosage and an updated effective testosterone dosage based on the input signal of the user.   
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 tracking, using the electronic circuit, a profitability metric for the patient; and   generating a report corresponding to the profitability metric over time.   
     
     
         27 . A computer-implemented method of providing a dosage and a patient treatment life-cycle on a device comprising an electronic circuit, an input device, and a display screen, the method comprising:
 receiving, using the device, an input signal of a user indicating an input directed to a patient sex and a patient status, wherein the patient status is automatically determined by the electronic circuit and includes at least one of a new patient, a returning patient and a booster patient;   determining by the electronic circuit at least one of an effective estradiol dosage and an effective testosterone dosage using calculation methods selected based on the patient status, automated input parameters, and tracking parameters;   applying a pellet allocation algorithm, stored on the electronic circuit, to determine an estradiol pellet size insertion corresponding to the effective estradiol dosage and a testosterone pellet size insertion corresponding to the effective testosterone dosage, wherein a quantity of the estradiol pellet size insertion and the testosterone pellet size insertion are minimized; and   displaying, on the display screen, the determined effective dosages, the estradiol pellet size, and the testosterone pellet size.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining, by the electronic circuit, the effective estradiol dosage and the effective testosterone dosage if the patient sex is female; and   determining, by the electronic circuit, the effective testosterone dosage if the patient sex is male.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the automated input parameters include at least one of a physical activity level, a quantity of patient visits, patient age, patient height, weight, race, number of pregnancies, number of live births, number of abortions, history of renal disease, active liver disease, hysterectomy, history of cervical cancer, history of ovarian cancer, history of fibrocystic breast disease, history of breast cancer, current follical stimulating hormone (FSH) level, current testosterone level, current estradiol level, current non-pellet estradiol dose, current non-pellet testosterone dose, history of acne, history of facial hair, history of hair loss, history of prostate cancer, history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), history of hysterectomy, history of heavy menses, and history of metabolic syndrome. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the dosage method for a female booster and return patient further includes:
 receiving, by the electronic circuit, female non-pellet testosterone usage, whether patient is pre-menopausal, estradiol level, and whether patient has migraines;   if patient is pre-menopausal with estradiol level greater than 10 milligrams and patient has migraines, determining, by the electronic circuit, an estradiol dosage=0; and   if patient uses non-pellet testosterone, determining, by the electronic circuit, a testosterone dosage=0.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein using dosage calculation methods selected based on the tracking parameters includes tracking at least one of a pellet insertion location, a pellet insertion side, a pellet dose, pellet lot numbers, insertion notes, a previous testosterone dose, and a previous estradiol dose. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , further comprising the step of automatically filling in at least one of the previous estradiol dose and the previous testosterone dose on the display screen of the input device, wherein the previous estradiol dose and the previous testosterone dose are based on a last full dosage, the last full dosage being different from previous effective dosages. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein tracking the pellet insertion location and the pellet insertion side is based on historical insertion information including at least one of a hip location, an abdominal location, a left side, and a right side; and
 wherein, based on the historical insertion information, the pellet insertion location and the pellet insertion side are automatically determined by the electronic circuit.   
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the pellet allocation algorithm is configured to carry out the steps of:
 providing a plurality of pellet sizes ordered from largest to smallest;   subtracting a largest of the plurality of pellet sizes from the effective dosage;
 if a result of the subtraction is greater than zero, assigning the largest of the plurality of pellet sizes as the estradiol pellet size insertion or the testosterone pellet size insertion; 
 if a result of the subtraction is less than zero, subtracting a next smallest one of the plurality of pellet sizes from the effective dosage until the result is greater than zero;
 taking an absolute value of the result of the subtraction that is less than zero and of the result of the subtraction that is greater than zero; and 
 assigning one of the plurality of pellet sizes as the estradiol pellet size insertion or the testosterone pellet size insertion corresponding to the result having a lesser absolute value. 
 
   
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein using the dosage calculation methods includes incorporating a number of return visits associated with the patient to determine at least one of the effective estradiol dosage and the effective testosterone dosage. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising the step of providing a comprehensive toolkit on the input device, the comprehensive toolkit kit including at least one of ancillary support functions, patient consult requests and response, articles, videos, forms, news and updates, products purchasing, financial reports, and assistant assignments related to the dosage and patient treatment life-cycle. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising the steps of:
 tracking, using the electronic circuit, a profitability metric for the patient; and   generating a report corresponding to the profitability metric over time.