Multiple medication dispensing system

• US 20070095850A1
• Filed: 10/27/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Combirx
• Original Assignee: Combirx
• Inventors: Meyer, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/260,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20070095850A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

Disclosed is a multi-compartment drug dispensing device, for dispensing multiple medications to a patient. The device includes a plurality of compartments, for holding a plurality of drugs. Each compartment is separately labeled with information relevant for the contents of that compartment. The compartments may be associated into groups, corresponding to the desired administration protocol. Groups of compartments may be arranged on a strip, and multiple strips may be provided in a container such as a dispensing box, to provide a system for dispensing multiple drugs per day, over a course of multiple days. Methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A multicompartment drug dispensing device, comprising:

at least a first compartment and a second compartment;

at least a first pill in the first compartment, and a second pill in the second compartment;

a first label on the first compartment, containing information about the first pill; and

a second label on the second compartment, containing information about the second pill.

2. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 1, wherein the information on the first label includes at least, for each pill, the drug name and serial number, the patient name, and the prescriber'"'"'s name,

3. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, comprising at least three compartments.

4. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 3, wherein the compartments are detachably connected to each other.

5. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 3, wherein each compartment may be opened separately from the other compartments.

6. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises a prescription medication.

7. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises a statin.

8. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 7, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises a non prescription medication.

9. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 8, wherein the non prescription medication comprises aspirin.

10. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 7, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises an ACE inhibitor.

11. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises an anti-thrombotic agent.

12. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises an anti-platelet agent.

13. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises a thienopyridine.

14. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises an ARB.

15. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises a cholesterol lowering agent.

16. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 2, wherein at least one compartment contains a pill that comprises an oral hypoglycemic agent.

17. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 7, additionally comprising an ACE inhibitor pill, an aspirin pill, a thienopyridine pill, and a beta blocker pill

18. A plurality of multicompartment drug dispensing devices as in claim 1, associated together as a single article.

19. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 1, wherein at least the first compartment comprises a peel away cover.

20. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 1, wherein at least the first compartment comprises a perforation line.

21. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 1, wherein at least the first compartment comprises a frangible barrier.

22. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 21, wherein the frangible barrier comprises a metal foil.

23. A multicompartment drug dispensing device as in claim 1, wherein at least the first compartment comprises a wall having an ultraviolet light blocking characteristic.

24. A multicompartment container, comprising:

a housing, defining a plurality of wells;

a removable cover, for covering the plurality of wells to define a plurality of enclosed compartments;

a dose of medication in each compartment; and

a label on each compartment which includes an identification of the medication contained in that compartment, the identification comprising at least the dose of the medication, a patient'"'"'s name, and a prescription number.

25. A multiple drug dispensing system, comprising:

a first housing;

a plurality of multicompartment containers in the first housing;

each multi-compartment container comprising;

a second housing, defining a plurality of wells;

a removable cover, for covering the plurality of wells to define a plurality of enclosed compartments;

a dose of medication in each compartment; and

a label on each compartment which includes an identification of the medication contained in that compartment, the dose of the medication, a patient'"'"'s name, and a prescription number.

26. A multiple drug dispensing system as in claim 25, further comprising an opening on the first housing, to allow removal of the multicompartment containers.

27. A method of packaging a multiple drug therapy, comprising the steps of:

providing a multicompartment container;

placing a first dose of a first drug in a first compartment;

placing a second dose of a second, different drug in a second compartment;

labeling the first compartment with information relating to the first drug; and

labeling the second compartment with information relating to the second drug.

28. A method of packaging a multiple drug therapy as in claim 27, additionally comprising the step of applying a removable cover to enclose each compartment.

29. A method of packaging a multiple drug therapy as in claim 28, additionally comprising the step of associating a plurality of multicompartment containers into a single unit.

30. A method of packaging a multiple drug therapy as in claim 29, wherein the associating step comprises wrapping the multicompartment containers together in an outer wrapping.

31. A method of packaging a multiple drug therapy as in claim 29, wherein the associating step comprises placing the multicompartment containers in an outer container.

32. A method of packaging a multiple drug therapy as in claim 29, wherein the associating step comprises releasably securing the multicompartment containers to each other.

33. A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of multicompartment housings, each housing containing a dose of each of at least three different drugs to be taken by the patient, each dose contained within a unique compartment within the housing and the housing having a unique label for each dose;

providing an instruction to the patient to select one of the plurality of housings at a predetermined time interval, and open the housing to release the dose of each of the said at least three different drugs.

34. A method of treating a patient post-myocardial infarction, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of multicompartment housings, each housing containing a dose of at least three different drugs to be taken by the patient;

where said drugs are a statin, a beta-blocker, and an ACE inhibitor, each dose contained within a unique compartment within the housing and the housing having a unique label for each dose;

providing an instruction to the patient to select one of the plurality of housings at a predetermined time interval, and open the housing to release the dose of each of the said at least three different drugs

35. The method of claim 34, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of an aspirin.

36. The method of claim 34, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of a thienopyridine.

37. The method of claim 34, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of an aspirin and a thienopyridine.

38. A method of treating a patient with congestive heart failure, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of multicompartment housings, each housing containing a dose of at least three different drugs to be taken by the patient;

where said drugs are a diuretic, a beta-blocker, and an ACE inhibitor, each dose contained within a unique compartment within the housing and the housing having a unique label for each dose;

providing an instruction to the patient to select one of the plurality of housings at a predetermined time interval, and open the housing to release the dose of each of the said at least three different drugs.

39. The method of claim 38, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of a positive inotropic agent.

40. The method of claim 38, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of a statin.

41. The method of claim 38, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of an aspirin.

42. The method of claim 38, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of an aspirin and a statin.

43. The method of claim 38, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of an aspirin and a positive inotropic agent.

44. The method of claim 38, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of a statin and a positive inotropic agent.

45. The method of claim 38, where each housing additionally comprises a dose of a statin, an aspirin, and a positive inotropic agent.

46. A method of treating a patient with diabetes mellitus, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of multicompartment housings, each housing containing a dose of at least three different drugs to be taken by the patient;

where said drugs are a sulfonylurea, a biguanide, and an ACE inhibitor, each dose contained within a unique compartment within the housing and the housing having a unique label for each dose;

providing an instruction to the patient to select one of the plurality of housings at a predetermined time interval, and open the housing to release the dose of each of the said at least three different drugs.

47. The method of claim 46, where said drugs are a sulfonylurea, a thiazolidinedione, and a biguanide.

48. The method of claim 46, where said drugs are a sulfonylurea, a thiazolidinedione, and an ACE inhibitor.

49. The method of claim 46, where said drugs are a thiazolidinedione, a biguanide, and an ACE inhibitor.

50. A multicompartment drug dispensing device for a patient post-myocardial infarction or with unstable angina, comprising:

at least a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment;

at least a first pill in the first compartment, a second pill in the second compartment; and

a third pill in the third compartment;

a first label on the first compartment, containing information about the first pill;

a second label on the second compartment, containing information about the second pill;

and a third label on the third compartment, containing information about the third pill;

wherein information on the first label includes, at least, for each pill, the drug name and serial number, the patient name, and the prescriber'"'"'s name;

wherein the pills comprise a statin, an ACE inhibitor, and a beta-blocker.

51. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 50, additionally comprising a thienopyridine pill.

52. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 50, additionally comprising an aspirin pill.

53. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 50, additionally comprising an aspirin pill and a thienopyridine pill.

54. A multicompartment drug dispensing device for a patient with congestive heart failure, comprising:

at least a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment;

at least a first pill in the first compartment, a second pill in the second compartment; and

a third pill in the third compartment;

a first label on the first compartment, containing information about the first pill;

a second label on the second compartment, containing information about the second pill;

and a third label on the third compartment, containing information about the third pill;

wherein information on the first label includes, at least, for each pill, the drug name and serial number, the patient name, and the prescriber'"'"'s name;

wherein the pills comprise a diuretic, an ACE inhibitor, and a beta-blocker.

55. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 54, additionally comprising an aspirin pill.

56. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 54, additionally comprising a positive inotropic agent pill.

57. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 54, additionally comprising a second diuretic pill;

said diuretic pill being spironolactone.

58. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 54, additionally comprising a positive inotropic agent pill and a second diuretic pill;

said diuretic pill being spironolactone.

59. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 54, additionally comprising a positive inotropic agent pill, an aspirin pill, and a second diuretic pill;

said diuretic pill being spironolactone.

61. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 59, additionally comprising a statin pill.

62. The multicompartment drug dispensing device of claim 59, wherein the pills comprise three different oral hypoglycemic agents.

60. A multicompartment drug dispensing device for a patient with diabetes, comprising:

at least a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment;

at least a first pill in the first compartment, a second pill in the second compartment; and

a third pill in the third compartment;

a first label on the first compartment, containing information about the first pill;

a second label on the second compartment, containing information about the second pill;

and a third label on the third compartment, containing information about the third pill;

wherein information on the first label includes, at least, for each pill, the drug name and serial number, the patient name, and the prescriber'"'"'s name;

wherein the pills comprise two different oral hypoglycemic agents and an ACE inhibitor.