Apparatus and method for administering a medical device prescription

Abstract

Methods and devices for providing instructions to treat and for treating patients through the use of medical devices are provided. Some embodiments treat musculoskeletal conditions by providing for alignment of bones by use of bone alignment devices in accordance with instructions provided through a prescription. Other embodiments may facilitate or provide revised prescriptions in response to treatment conditions. Embodiments may also provide effective ways of communicating prescription and compliance information between patients and health care providers.

1 . A method, comprising:
 at a multifunction computer with an image capture mechanism:
 capturing an image provided by a health care provider, wherein the image includes data specifying at least a portion of a prescription; and 
 in response to the data specifying at least a portion of a prescription:
 displaying at least a portion of the prescription on the multifunction computer; 
 displaying selectable action compliance areas on a screen of the multifunction computer that are to be selected when one or more portions of the prescription are completed; and 
 reporting selection of the selectable action compliance areas to the health care provider when the selectable action compliance areas are selected on the multifunction computer. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the act of capturing an image provided by a health care provider includes capturing an image generated in response to a prescription for treatment calculated by the health care provider, wherein the image has been displayed on an electronic device and/or applied to a physical medium. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the act of capturing an image provided by a health care provider includes capturing an image of a Quick Response code. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the act of displaying a selectable action compliance area on a screen includes displaying a selectable area on a touch screen, wherein the selectable action compliance area correlates with an element of a medical device, and wherein when the element of the medical device is adjusted in accordance with at least a portion of the prescription, the selectable action compliance area is configured to be touched and thereby selected. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the act of displaying a selectable action compliance area on a screen includes displaying an area selectable with a pointing device, wherein the selectable action compliance area correlates with an element of a medical device, and wherein when the element of the medical device is adjusted in accordance with at least a portion of the prescription, the selectable action compliance area is configured to be pointed to and selected. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the act of reporting selection of the selectable action compliance areas is automatically initiated by the multifunction computer when each selectable action compliance area is selected or when a predetermined number or set of selectable action compliance areas are selected. 
     
     
         7 . A method of dynamically providing instructions to transform a bone alignment device, the method comprising:
 communicating a set of instructions to be accomplished over a predetermined period of time to a patient device to achieve alignment of one or more bones by adjustment of a bone alignment device coupled to a patient;   receiving information from the patient device regarding one or more adjustments made to the bone alignment device;   analyzing the information received from the patient device;   calculating a revised set of instructions to be accomplished over a predetermined period of time to achieve alignment of the one or more bones by adjustment of the bone alignment device coupled to the patient based on the information received; and   communicating the revised set of instructions to the patient device to enable transformation of the bone alignment device in accordance with the revised set of instructions.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the act of communicating a set of instructions to be accomplished over a predetermined period of time to a patient device includes communicating the set of instructions to a patient device that is a patient owned device and/or a handheld device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the act of receiving information from the patient device includes at least one of:
 receiving information input into the patient device by a patient to whom the bone alignment device is coupled; and 
 receiving information transmitted as a result of a transmission initiated from the patient device. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein a server computer configured to receive information from the patient device monitors for compliance with the set of instructions to be accomplished and generates a notice if information is not received from the patient device that confirms compliance with the set of instructions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the act of receiving information from the patient device includes receiving one or more of: pictures of the bone alignment device, information about adjustments of parts of the bone alignment device, readings of forces being transmitted through parts of the bone alignment device, information about pain experienced by a patient to whom the bone alignment device is coupled, and identification information associated with the bone alignment device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the act of analyzing the information includes analyzing one or more of: pictures of the bone alignment device, information about adjustments of parts of the bone alignment device, information about pain experienced by a patient to whom the bone alignment device is coupled, readings of forces being transmitted through parts of the bone alignment device, and identification information associated with the bone alignment device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising displaying an image of the bone alignment device on the patient device at one or more stages of adjustment to illustrate to a patient how the bone alignment device should appear at each stage of adjustment, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising placing a unique identifier on the bone alignment device such that when the unique identifier is read by the patient device, the patient device automatically logs into a server computer configured to receive information from the patient device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising a health care provider using information received from the patient device to schedule a clinical visit for the patient to whom the bone alignment device is coupled. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the act of receiving information from the patient device includes at least one of:
 receiving a notification that the prescribed adjustments for a particular time period have been completed; and 
 receiving information indicating that one or more adjustments have not been made to the bone alignment device in accordance with the set of instructions to be accomplished over a predetermined period of time. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the information regarding one or more adjustments made to the bone alignment device comprises a picture of the bone alignment device; and
 wherein the method further comprises specifying, on the patient device, a perspective at which the picture of the bone alignment device is to be taken. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the patient device comprises one of a smartphone and a tablet computer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the notice generated is transmitted to at least one of the patient device, and a device associated with a treating health care provider. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein instructions on the server computer compare the information received from the patient device regarding adjustments made to the bone alignment device to information regarding adjustments scheduled to be performed to carry out the set of instructions to be accomplished over a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14  wherein instructions on the server computer compare the information received from the patient device regarding identity and usage to registered identity and usage information. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein if the identity and usage information do not match registered identity and usage information, then the server computer generates and sends notices. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the health care provider revises the prescription based upon the selected action compliance areas, and generates a revised image including data specifying a revised portion of the prescription. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising capturing the revised image at the multifunction computer, and in response to the data specifying the revised portion of the prescription, displaying the revised portion of the prescription on the multifunction computer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating a revised prescription based upon the selected action compliance areas. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the multifunction computer comprises one of a smartphone and a tablet computer.