Computer-implemented method for controlling dispensing of a biologically active agent; computer system and software thereof

• US 10,207,050 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2012
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Singapore Health Services Pte Limited (MOH Holdings Pte Limited)
• Original Assignee: Singapore Health Services Pte Limited (MOH Holdings Pte Limited)
• Inventors: Sia, Tiong Heng Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Osinski, Bradley J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shah, Nilay
• Application Number:
  US14/363,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20140316371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,265 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 19/00 Local anaesthesia syringes therefor A61M5/00; Hypothermia A61M5/42 takes precedence; cooling blood in a bypass of the arterial system A61M1/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16877 Adjusting flow; Devices for setting a flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

There is provided a computer-implemented method for controlling dispensing of at least one biologically active agent in intermittent doses over discrete predefined time periods, comprising the steps of: (i) initiating the dispensing of the biologically active agent in intermittent doses at a first background dosage rate; and (ii) adjusting to a background dosage rate according to the number of input signals received over each predefined time period from a signalling device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling dispensing of at least one biologically active agent in intermittent doses over discrete predefined time periods, comprising the steps of:

(i) initiating the dispensing of the biologically active agent in the intermittent doses at a first background dosage rate, and setting a first predefined time period;

additionally dispensing a first stage signal-induced dose of the biologically active agent, in response to an input signal from a signalling device within the first predefined time period, and setting a second predefined time period;

dispensing a second stage signal-induced doses of the biologically active agent, in response to a second input signals from the signalling device within the second predefined time period, and re-setting the second predefined time period;

dispensing a third stage signal-induced dose of the biologically active agent, in response to a third input signal from the signalling device within the second predefined time period, and re-setting the second predefined time period;

dispensing a fourth stage signal-induced dose of the biologically active agent, in response to a fourth input signal from the signalling device within the second predefined time period, and re-setting the second predefined time period;

preventing further dispensing stages within the second predefined time period, and then;

re-setting the second predefined time period.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying a lockout time period after dispensing each intermittent dose or each signal-induced dose wherein no further of the signal-induced or the intermittent doses of the biologically active agent are dispensed.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the fourth stage input signal is received from the signalling device, an alert signal is generated.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising capping the background dosage rate at a predefined maximum rate.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the biologically active agent is for use in administering to a subject.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the biologically active agent is for use in epidural administration to a subject.

7. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of (ii) adjusting to a background dosage rate according to the number of the input signals received over each predefined time period from the signalling device, wherein step (ii) comprises at least one of:

(a) increasing the background dosage rate if a frequency of the input signals increases;

or

(b) decreasing the background dosage rate if a frequency of the input signals decreases.

8. A dispensing system comprising a computer system operatively connected to at least one dispensing device, wherein the dispensing system is configured to perform a method for controlling dispensing of at least one biologically active agent in intermittent doses over discrete predefined time periods, comprising the steps of:

initiating the dispensing of the biologically active agent in intermittent doses at a first background dosage rate, and setting a first predefined time period;

additionally dispensing a first stage signal-induced dose of the biologically active agent, in response to an input signal from a signalling device within the first predefined time period, and setting a second predefined time period;

dispensing a second stage signal-induced doses of the biologically active agent, in response to subsequent input signals from the signalling device within the second predefined time period, and re-setting the second predefined time period;

dispensing a third stage signal-induced dose of the biologically active agent, in response to a third input signal from the signalling device within the second predefined time period, and re-setting the second predefined time period;

dispensing a fourth stage signal-induced dose of the biologically active agent, in response to a fourth input signal from the signalling device within the second predefined time period, and re-setting the second predefined time period;

preventing further dispensing stages within the second predefined time period, and then;

re-setting the second predefined time period.

9. The dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein the dispensing device comprises either one or both of a pump and a syringe.

10. The dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein the method for controlling dispensing of at least one biologically active agent in intermittent doses over discrete predefined time periods further comprises the step of (ii) adjusting to a background dosage rate according to the number of the input signals received over each predefined time period from the signalling device, wherein step (ii) comprises at least one of:

(a) increasing the background dosage rate if a frequency of the input signals increases;

or

(b) decreasing the background dosage rate if a frequency of the input signals decreases.