Method and apparatus for delivering and refilling pharmaceuticals
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of dispensing a pharmaceutical comprising the steps of:
- dispensing said pharmaceutical from an intelligent drug dispensing appliance having;
a pharmaceutical reservoir and a data network interface;
detecting an impending depletion of the pharmaceutical in the reservoir; and
, soliciting a pharmaceutical refill by way of a data message sent via a data network to which said dispensing appliance is coupled via said data network interface.
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Abstract
An on-line pharmaceutical ordering system enables the transmission of pharmaceutical orders by the Internet. Electronic drug delivery appliances that administer or dispense drugs and supplies are equipped with data network interface circuitry by which refills of supplies can be ordered without patient or doctor intervention. In an another embodiment, a medical service provider can electronically order supplies for or by the patient. On-line validation insures legitimacy of an order.
85 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing a pharmaceutical comprising the steps of:
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dispensing said pharmaceutical from an intelligent drug dispensing appliance having;
a pharmaceutical reservoir and a data network interface;
detecting an impending depletion of the pharmaceutical in the reservoir; and
,soliciting a pharmaceutical refill by way of a data message sent via a data network to which said dispensing appliance is coupled via said data network interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of electronically dispensing pharmaceuticals comprising the steps of:
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transmitting via a data network from a medical service provider, to at least one of;
a patient'"'"'s intelligent drug dispensing appliance and a pharmaceutical provider, a prescription data message for a pharmaceutical to be dispensed to said patient according to a regimen specified by said medical service provider in said secure prescription data message. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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13. A method of electronically dispensing pharmaceuticals comprising the steps of:
transmitting from a medical service provider'"'"'s computer to at least one pharmaceutical provider'"'"'s computer via a data network, a secure prescription data message for a pharmaceutical to be dispensed to a patient, said secure prescription data message including dosage instructions.
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16. A method of electronically dispensing pharmaceutical medications comprising the steps of:
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transmitting from a medical service provider'"'"'s computer to a patient'"'"'s intelligent drug delivery appliance via a data network, a secure electronic prescription data message for a pharmaceutical to be dispensed to a patient, said secure prescription data message including dosage instructions; and
transmitting via a data network, said secure prescription data message from said patient'"'"'s intelligent drug delivery appliance to a pharmaceutical provider.
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17. A method of electronically dispensing pharmaceuticals comprising the steps of:
transmitting from a patient'"'"'s computer to at least one pharmaceutical provider'"'"'s computer via a data network, a secure electronic prescription data message for a pharmaceutical to be dispensed to said patient.
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22. An intelligent drug dispensing appliance comprising:
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a controller;
a reservoir of pharmaceutical to be dispensed over time to a patient;
a drug delivery mechanism, coupled to, and responsive to the controller and to the reservoir, to dispense a pharmaceutical to a patient from the reservoir in response to signals from said controller;
a data network interface coupled to said controller. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An intelligent drug dispensing system providing replenishment of pharmaceutical medication, said system comprising:
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an intelligent drug dispensing appliance, including a data network interface through which pharmaceutical replenishment request signals can be sent from said intelligent drug dispensing appliance;
a pharmaceutical replenishment request data server coupled to said data network to receive medication replenishment request signals from at least one intelligent drug dispensing appliance. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 37)
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32. An intelligent drug dispensing system providing replenishment of pharmaceutical medication, said system comprising:
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an intelligent drug dispensing appliance, including a data network interface through which pharmaceutical replenishment request signals can be received;
a pharmaceutical replenishment request data server coupled to said data network to send medication replenishment request signals to at least one intelligent drug dispensing appliance.
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36. An intelligent drug dispensing system providing automatic replenishment of pharmaceuticals, said system comprising:
a pharmaceutical replenishment request data server operatively coupled to a data network so as to receive pharmaceutical replenishment request messages from at least one intelligent drug dispensing appliance. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A method of dispensing a pharmaceutical comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request for a pharmaceutical in the form of a first data message received via a data network;
upon the receipt of said data message requesting a pharmaceutical, receiving an approval message via a second message;
upon receipt of the approval message, filling said request for said pharmaceutical. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification