METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A MEDICAMENTS CONTAINER

• US 20080140252A1
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helene Laliberte, Michael Handfield
• Original Assignee: Helene Laliberte, Michael Handfield
• Inventors: HANDFIELD, Michael, Laliberte, Helene
• Granted Patent: US 7,917,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/240
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/03 for pills or tablets containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0076 Medicament distribution means with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/66 Trinkets, e.g. shirt buttons or jewellery items recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/24 Rotary or oscillatory members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/38 in which the magazines are horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of determining a status condition of a medicament container having a memory contained therein for storing medicament effect data, such as, for example, drug interaction, side effect, and other information for determining the status condition of the container.

Claims

1. A method of automatically determining a status condition of a medicaments container containing a plurality of medicaments, a memory and communication circuitry, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal from the medicaments container to an external device;

based on the signal, determining a status condition of the medicaments container from among a plurality of predetermined status conditions; and

transmitting data between the container and the external device, wherein the data is used to perform an operation in accordance with the status condition of the container.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of predetermined status conditions comprise a plurality of operating modes selected from a group consisting of:

a loading mode wherein the container is being loaded with the plurality of medicaments, a shipping mode wherein the container is in transit to a designated destination, an inventory mode wherein the container is stored at a storage location, and a dispensing mode wherein the container is coupled to a dispensing machine and ready to dispense at least one of the plurality of medicaments.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein if it is determined the container is in a loading mode, the act of transmitting data comprises transmitting medicament quantity and type data from the external device to the container for storage in the memory.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising transmitting designated patient information and transit information from the external device to the container for storage in the memory.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein if it is determined that the container is in a shipping mode, the act of transmitting data comprises transmitting tracking data stored in the memory from the container to the external device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the tracking data comprises at least one type of data selected from a group consisting of:

medicament manufacturer, medicament lot number, quantity of medicaments and type of medicaments.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein if it is determined the container is in an inventory mode, the act of transmitting data comprises transmitting identification data stored in the memory of the container to the external device.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein if it is determined the container is in a dispensing mode, the act of transmitting data comprises transmitting medicament or container identification data stored in the memory of the container to the external device.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising determining if the plurality of medicaments have been recalled.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein if it is determined that the plurality of medicaments have been recalled, the method further comprises generating an error code indicative of a recalled status and storing the error code in the memory.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein if it is determined that the plurality of medicaments have been recalled, the method further comprises disabling dispensing of medicaments from the container.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising determining if the container is not authorized for a particular dispensing machine.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein if it is determined that the container is not authorized for the particular dispensing machine, the method further comprises generating an error code indicative of an unauthorized status and storing the error code in the memory.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein if it is determined that the container is not authorized for the dispensing machine, the method further comprises alerting a designated entity.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein if it is determined that the container is not authorized for the dispensing machine, the method further comprises disabling dispensing of medicaments from the container.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein if it is determined that the container is not authorized for the dispensing machine, the method further comprises generating an error code and storing the error code in the memory of the container.

17. The method of claim 8 further comprising determining if the data stored in the memory is older than a predetermined period of time and, if so determined, updating the data with new data.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the new data is received from a server computer communicatively coupled to the container via a communications network.

19. A method of determining a status condition of a medicaments container containing a plurality of medicaments, a memory and communications circuitry, the method comprising:

establishing a communication path between a medicaments container and an external device;

transmitting data stored in the memory to the external device; and

determining a status condition of the medicaments container based on the transmitted data.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the external device comprises a computer communicatively coupled to the medicaments container via a communications network.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the data comprises information concerning the last time the memory was updated and the act of determining the status condition comprises determining if the memory should be updated with new data.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein if it is determined that the memory should be updated, the method further comprises generating an error code indicative of outdated data stored in the memory and storing the error code in the memory.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the data comprises information concerning the mechanical operation of the container and the act of determining the status condition comprises determining if the container is malfunctioning or needs servicing.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising automatically generating an alert and providing the alert to a designated entity if it is determined that the container is malfunctioning or needs servicing.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising generating an error code and storing the error code in the memory if it is determined that the container is malfunctioning or needs servicing.

26. The method of claim 19 wherein the data comprises information concerning the mechanical operation of the container and the act of determining the status condition comprises determining whether at least one of the following pre-specified conditions are satisfied:

the tray is older than a predetermined age, the medicaments are older than a predetermined age, the medicaments have been recalled, or a designated patient no longer needs the medicaments.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising automatically generating an alert and providing the alert to a designated entity if it is determined that one of the pre-specified conditions are satisfied.

28. A method of determining a status condition of a medicaments container, comprising:

communicatively coupling the medicaments container to an external device;

automatically transmitting data between the medicaments container and the external device; and

determining based on the transmitted data an alert condition associated with a plurality of medicaments stored in the medicaments container.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising generating an alert signal indicative of the alert condition.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the alert signal comprises an audible signal that is discernable by a human.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the alert signal comprises a vibration signal that can be felt by a human.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein the transmitted data comprises side effect data associated with the plurality of medicaments.

33. The method of claim 28 wherein the transmitted data comprises drug interaction data associated with the plurality of medicaments.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising verifying that there are no adverse reactions with other medicaments designated for a particular patient.

35. A method of determining a status condition of a medicaments container, comprising:

communicatively coupling the medicaments container to an external device;

automatically transmitting data between the medicaments container and the external device; and

determining based on the transmitted data if the container is being returned for credit and, if so, disabling further operations of the container.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the external device comprises a computer server communicatively coupled to the medicaments container via a computer network.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising receiving a signal indicative of a quantity of medicaments contained in the container.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein if the quantity of the medicaments in the container is below a predetermined threshold, automatically generating a reorder request and transmitting the reorder request to the external device.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the external device comprises a computer coupled to a communications network.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the computer processes the reorder request and facilitates a monetary payment for a plurality of medicaments associated with the reorder request.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the computer determines if additional payment information is needed and sends a message to a patient or designated caregiver if additional payment information is needed.

42. The method of claim 38 further comprising determining if a prescription associated with the reorder request needs to be renewed.

43. The method of claim 35 further comprising determining if the container was previously discarded and, if so, disabling further operation of container.

44. The method of claim 35 further comprising determining if the container is being removed from a dispensing machine.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising determining if removal is only temporary or permanent and, if the tray is being removed for a temporary reason, uploading data pertaining to a replacement container to the dispensing machine.

46. The method of claim 44 further comprising:

determining if the container should be discarded or returned for credit

if returned for credit, storing an error code in the container memory, uploading information to the dispenser that container is being returned for credit, and disabling further operation of the container; and

if being discarded, erasing patient data stored in memory of the container.

47. A method of determining a status condition of a medicament container, comprising:

receiving an electromagnetic signal transmitted from the container;

based on the received electromagnetic signal, determining if a plurality of medicaments stored in the container has been recalled; and

if recalled, disabling the container to prevent dispensing of the plurality of medicaments.

48. A method of determining a status condition of a medicament container, comprising:

receiving an electromagnetic signal transmitted from the container;

based on the received electromagnetic signal, determining if a plurality of medicaments stored in the container may cause adverse side effects to a designated patient; and

if so, disabling the container to prevent dispensing of the plurality of medicaments.

49. A method of determining a status condition of a medicament container, comprising:

receiving an electromagnetic signal transmitted from the container;

based on the received electromagnetic signal, determining if a plurality of medicaments stored in the container are counterfeit; and

if counterfeit, disabling the container to prevent dispensing of the plurality of medicaments.

50. A method of determining a status condition of a medicament container, comprising:

receiving an electromagnetic signal transmitted from the container;

based on the received electromagnetic signal, determining if the container is located at a predetermined location; and

if not, generating an error code and storing the error code in a memory contained within the container.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising transmitting a signal to a computer coupled to a communications network, wherein the signal indicates that the container is located at an improper location.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the improper location is during shipping of the container.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein the improper location comprises a non-designated dispensing machine.

54. A method of automatically determining a status condition of a medicaments container containing a memory, communications circuitry and a plurality of medicaments, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal from the container to an external device;

based on the signal, determining a status condition of the medicaments container from among a plurality of predetermined status conditions, wherein the plurality of predetermined status conditions comprise a plurality of operating modes selected from a group consisting of;

a loading mode wherein the container is being loaded with the plurality of medicaments, a shipping mode wherein the container is in transit to a designated destination, an inventory mode wherein the container is stored at a storage location, and a dispensing mode wherein the container is coupled to a dispensing machine and ready to dispense at least one of the plurality of medicaments.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein if it is determined the container is in a loading mode, the act of transmitting data comprises transmitting medicament quantity and type data from the external device to the container for storage in the memory.

56. The method of claim 54 wherein if it is determined that the container is in a shipping mode, the act of transmitting data comprises transmitting tracking data stored in the memory from the container to the external device.

57. The method of claim 54 wherein if it is determined the container is in an inventory mode, the act of transmitting data comprises transmitting identification data stored in the memory of the container to the external device.

58. The method of claim 54 wherein if it is determined the container is in a dispensing mode, the act of transmitting data comprises transmitting medicament or container identification data stored in the memory of the container to the external device.

59. A method of automatically determining a status condition of a medicaments container containing a memory, communications circuitry and a plurality of medicaments, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal from the container to a dispensing machine;

based on the signal, determining if the container is authorized for the dispensing machine, wherein if it is determined that the container is not authorized for the dispensing machine, the method further comprises generating an error code indicative of an unauthorized status and storing the error code in the memory.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein if it is determined that the container is not authorized for the dispensing machine, the method further comprises alerting a designated entity.

61. The method of claim 59 wherein if it is determined that the container is not authorized for the dispensing machine, the method further comprises disabling dispensing of medicaments from the container.

62. A method of automatically determining a status condition of a medicaments container containing a memory, communications circuitry and a plurality of medicaments, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal from the medicament container to an external device; and

based on the signal, determining if the memory should be updated with new data.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein if it is determined that the memory should be updated, the method further comprises generating an error code indicative of outdated data stored in the memory and storing the error code in the memory.

64. A method of determining a status condition of a medicaments container containing a memory, communications circuitry and a plurality of medicaments, the method comprising:

transmitting data between the container and an external device;

based on the signal, determining if the container is malfunctioning or needs servicing.

65. The method of claim 64 further comprising automatically generating an alert and providing the alert to a designated entity if it is determined that the container is malfunctioning or needs servicing.

66. The method of claim 64 further comprising generating an error code and storing the error code in the memory if it is determined that the container is malfunctioning or needs servicing.

67. The method of claim 64 wherein the signal provides information to determine whether at least one of the following pre-specified conditions are satisfied:

the tray is older than a predetermined age, the medicaments are older than a predetermined age, the medicaments have been recalled, or a designated patient no longer needs the medicaments.

68. A method of determining a status condition of a medicaments container, comprising:

transmitting data between the medicaments container and an external device; and

based on the transmitted data, determining whether a medicament stored in the container may cause potential side effects to a designated patient.

69. A method of determining a status condition of a medicaments container, comprising:

transmitting data between the medicaments container and an external device; and

based on the transmitted data, determining whether a medicament stored in the container may interact with another drug in a manner that is potentially harmful to a designated patient.