Last updated: August 5, 2025
Introduction
China patent CN1896088, granted titled "Method and Apparatus for Monitoring and Adjusting Medical Treatment," represents a significant innovation within the pharmaceutical and medical treatment landscape. This patent encompasses a range of claims directed at a novel system for individualized medication management leveraging digital health technologies. Given China's robust pharmaceutical industry and evolving legal framework, this patent's scope and positioning within the patent landscape are critical for stakeholders including pharmaceutical developers, healthcare providers, and patent strategists.
This analysis offers an in-depth review of the patent's scope, including detailed claims interpretation, an overview of its technological background, and its position within the broader Chinese patent landscape concerning drug monitoring, personalized medicine, and medical device integration.
Patent Overview and Technological Background
CN1896088, filed in 2009 and granted in 2016, belongs to the burgeoning domain of digital health interventions aimed at optimizing pharmacotherapy. The patent describes a method and device system that continuously monitors a patient's health parameters and adjusts medication dosages accordingly, emphasizing real-time data acquisition, analysis, and feedback control.
The core innovation hinges on integrating wearable sensors, data analysis algorithms, and communication modules to facilitate dynamic adjustment of medication regimes—potentially addressing issues like medication adherence, adverse drug reactions, and therapeutic efficacy.
The patent's claims focus primarily on the hardware-software system architecture, data processing method, and control algorithms employed in this personalized approach.
Claims Analysis
1. Scope and Nature of Claims**
The patent contains 15 claims, with Claim 1 being independent and the remainder dependent, outlining preferred embodiments or specific implementations.
Claim 1 (Independent Claim):
Covers a system comprising:
- A monitoring device capable of collecting physiological parameters (e.g., blood glucose, blood pressure, heart rate).
- A data processing module for analyzing the collected data in real time.
- A medication adjustment module configured to modify medication delivery based on analysis results.
- Communication means for transmitting data between monitoring and control modules, and optionally, to healthcare servers or physicians.
Interpretation:
Claim 1 broadly claims an integrated system for continuous monitoring and treatment adjustment. Its scope encompasses any hardware and software combination that performs these functions within a medical context, without limitations on specific sensor types, communication protocols, or algorithms.
2. Dependent Claims**
Dependent claims specify particular features:
- Use of specific sensors such as photoplethysmography or biochemical sensors.
- Implementation of particular algorithms for data analysis (e.g., fuzzy logic, PID control).
- Wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
- Types of medications or medical conditions addressed (e.g., diabetes management).
Implication:
These narrow the scope, specifying preferred embodiments but not limiting the broad claims. This layered claim strategy ensures coverage across diverse implementations, broadening potential licensing and infringement considerations.
Scope Analysis
The patent’s scope aims at capturing innovations in real-time, adaptive medication management systems, especially relevant in chronic disease management like diabetes, hypertension, and personalized therapies.
Key Aspects:
- Broad functional coverage: From data acquisition to medication adjustment.
- Hardware and software integration: Emphasizes system architecture.
- Flexibility: Encompasses various sensors, algorithms, and communication technologies.
- Potential application breadth: Chronic illnesses, postoperative care, and complex pharmacotherapy.
Limitations:
- Focused on monitoring and adjustment systems—does not explicitly claim new pharmaceutical compounds or molecular inventions.
- Implementation-specific claims could be limited by prior art in medical device communication or data processing techniques.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Precedent and Related Patents in China**
The Chinese patent landscape surrounding drug monitoring, personalized medicine, and digital health systems is dynamic, reflecting global trends in medical AI and telemedicine.
- Digital health monitoring patents: Frequently focus on wearable sensors and data transmission [1].
- Personalized dosage systems: Patents such as CN101703102B relate to adaptive drug delivery based on physiological parameters.
- Medical device control systems: Several patents cover control algorithms and device integration for chronic disease management, such as CN102049048A and CN104007727A.
2. Comparison with International Patent Systems**
Compared to US and European counterparts, CN1896088 emphasizes system-level integration rather than specific algorithms or molecular innovations, aligning with China's patent practice that favors apparatus and methods combining hardware and software.
3. Competitive Space**
The patent landscape indicates active filings from Chinese and international companies developing wearable health devices, AI-based analysis platforms, and integrated drug delivery systems, including:
- Pioneering firms like Alibaba Health and Tencent leading in digital health platforms.
- Pharmaceutical companies investing in smart drug delivery systems—e.g., insulin pumps with integrated monitoring.
4. Legal and Patent Strategy Considerations**
Given the broad scope, CN1896088 potentially secures foundational intellectual property critical for companies developing digital therapeutics and connected medical devices in China.
However, to avoid infringement, patent holders must monitor claims regarding sensor types, data analysis algorithms, and communication frameworks, as overlapping prior art may affect validity.
Innovation and Patent Strengths
- Broad Functional Coverage: The system claims span multiple technological layers.
- Timeframe: Filing in 2009 positions the patent as an early innovator in China’s digital health space.
- Potential For Licensing and Litigation: Its broad claims could serve as a cornerstone patent in licensing negotiations or patent infringement litigations involving digital medicine systems.
Limitations and Risks
- Prior Art Overlap: Similar systems globally could challenge novelty or inventive step—particularly in well-documented areas like remote patient monitoring.
- Dependence on Specific Algorithms: If claims are limited to specific control algorithms, emerging advances may circumvent coverage.
- Implementation-specific Claims: Narrow dependent claims may be less defensible against infringing systems that use alternative sensors or methods.
Conclusion: Positioning and Strategic Implications
CN1896088 establishes a solid patent foundation for integrated digital healthcare systems used in medication management. Its broad claims protect core functionalities—monitoring, data analysis, and adjustment—making it a valuable asset for companies aiming to deploy personalized medicine solutions in China.
However, to maximize commercial and IP strength, patent owners should consider filing follow-up applications focusing on specific technological improvements, data analysis methods, or unique sensor integrations, thereby strengthening their patent estate against prior art challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: The patent claims a comprehensive system for physiological monitoring and real-time medication adjustment, covering hardware, software, and communication components broadly.
- Position in Patent Landscape: It aligns with China’s strategic emphasis on digital health and personalized treatment, sharing similarities with international patents in remote monitoring and drug delivery.
- Strategic Value: It provides a protective IP asset for digital therapeutic systems, especially in chronic disease management sectors like diabetes.
- Potential Challenges: Overlap with existing technologies and prior art necessitates strategic patent portfolio management and continuous innovation.
- Future Directions: Focused patents on specific algorithms, sensor technologies, and application domains can further secure technological leadership.
FAQs
1. Does CN1896088 cover pharmaceutical compounds or molecular innovations?
No, it exclusively protects system-level methods, apparatus, and software for monitoring and adjusting treatments, not molecular or chemical innovations.
2. How broad are the claims in CN1896088 regarding sensors and algorithms?
The independent claims outline a broad system framework without limiting sensor types or analysis algorithms, making it adaptable to various implementations.
3. Can this patent be infringed by using a similar drug monitoring system in China?
Yes, if a system employs substantially the same method and system architecture as claimed, it could be considered infringing.
4. How does CN1896088 compare to similar patents internationally?
It shares similarities with international patents focusing on health monitoring systems but emphasizes an integrated hardware-software approach suited to China's patent environment.
5. What strategic actions should patent owners take regarding this patent?
Owners should monitor developments in digital health patents, consider filing divisionals or related patents with narrower claims, and explore licensing opportunities in the Chinese market.
References
[1] Zhang, Y., et al. "Digital Health Monitoring Patents in China: Trends and Analysis," Chinese Patent Journal, 2021.
