Medicament dispenser

• US 20050119604A1
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bonney, Stanley George, Robertson, Duncan, Jones, Anthony Patrick
• Application Number:
  US10/473,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119604A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0043 Non-destructive separation of the package, e.g. peeling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0083 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing medication to a patient, said apparatus comprising: (a) an electronic medicament dispenser (2) with one or more data-transfer elements; (b) a docking station (6) with one or more corresponding data-transfer elements; and (c) a wireless communications module (10) for connecting said docking station to a public communications network, whereby data may be transmitted remotely between said medicament dispenser and a remote processing node via said public communications network.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing medication to a patient, said apparatus comprising:

(a) an electronic medicament dispenser with one or more data-transfer elements;

(b) a docking station with one or more corresponding data-transfer elements; and

(c) a wireless communications module for connecting said docking station to a public communications network,

whereby data may be transmitted remotely between said medicament dispenser and a remote processing node via said public communications network.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communications module forms an integral part of said docking station.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data-transfer elements comprise electrical contacts.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said docking station comprises a display for displaying data relating to said medicament dispenser.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said medicament dispenser comprises a display, said medicament dispenser display being smaller in area than said docking station display.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said medicament dispenser comprises means for authenticating data received from said docking station

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said docking station comprises means for initiating communications sessions with a network entity in response to docking of said dispenser therewith.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser comprises a removable refill container.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said docking station is arranged to transmit data relating to any conflict between said dispenser and said refill to a network entity via a communications link.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said docking station is arranged to form a link via said wireless communications module with one or more of an appropriately configured personal computer workstation, a digital television set top box, a digital television and/or a home communications hub.

11. A method of controlling the dispensing medication to a patient, the method comprising:

(a) providing an electronic medicament dispenser with one or more data-transfer elements;

(b) providing a docking station with one or more corresponding data-transfer elements; and

(c) providing a wireless communications module for connecting said docking station to a public communications network,

(d) transmitting data remotely between said medicament dispenser and a remote processing node via said public communications network, using said docking station and said wireless communications module.

12. A method according to claim 11, comprising transmitting data from said medicament dispenser to said remote processing node.

13. A method according to claim 11, comprising transmitting data from said remote processing node to said medicament dispenser.