DRUG DISPENSING CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20080300719A1
• Filed: 11/21/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stephanie Duke
• Original Assignee: Stephanie Duke
• Inventors: Duke, Stephanie
• Application Number:
  US11/944,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20080300719A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/244
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• 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 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/70 in which the articles are formed in the apparatus from components, blanks, or material constituents
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• 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

Abstract

A drug dispensing control system and a drug dispensing unit are disclosed. The drug dispensing control system includes a prescription filling system and a drug dispensing unit. The drug dispensing unit is configured to interface with the prescription filling system. The drug dispensing unit includes a canister configured to receive a prescribed amount of medication from the prescription filling system. The canister includes a single dose dispensing mechanism. The drug dispensing unit also includes circuitry configured to allow access to a dose of the medication at a predetermined interval. In certain aspects, the drug dispensing unit is approximately handheld-sized.

Claims

1. A drug dispensing control system comprising:

a prescription filling system; and

a drug dispensing unit configured to interface with the prescription filling system, the drug dispensing unit including;

a canister configured to receive a prescribed amount of medication from the prescription filling system, the canister including a single dose dispensing mechanism; and

circuitry configured to allow access to a dose of the medication at a predetermined interval;

wherein the drug dispensing unit is approximately handheld-sized.

2. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry permits use of the single dose dispensing mechanism at the predetermined interval.

3. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, further comprising a display disposed on the drug dispensing unit.

4. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, wherein the display is programmed to show the last time at which a dose was accessed from the drug dispensing unit.

5. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, further comprising a communicative connection incorporated into the drug dispensing unit for interfacing with the prescription filling system.

6. The drug dispensing control system of claim 5, wherein the communicative connection is a USB connection.

7. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, further comprising a lock incorporated into the drug dispensing unit, the lock configured to be electrically releasable by the circuitry.

8. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator integrated into the drug dispensing unit and configured to activate to indicate to a user that the dose of medication can be accessed from the drug dispensing unit.

9. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, further comprising a memory integrated into the drug dispensing unit and configured to record a history of doses accessed.

10. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, wherein the prescription filling system is connected to a communications network.

11. The drug dispensing control system of claim 1, wherein the prescription filling system communicates filled prescriptions to a prescription database.

12. A drug dispensing unit comprising:

a canister configured to receive a prescribed amount of medication, the canister including a single dose dispensing mechanism; and

circuitry configured to allow access to a dose of the medication at a predetermined interval;

wherein the drug dispensing unit is approximately handheld-sized.

13. The drug dispensing unit of claim 12, further comprising a communicative connection configured to interface with a prescription filling system.

14. The drug dispensing unit of claim 13, wherein the communicative connection is capable of interfacing with a personal computer.

15. The drug dispensing unit of claim 13, wherein the communicative connection is a USB connection.

16. The drug dispensing unit of claim 12, further comprising a memory configured to record a history of doses accessed.

17. The drug dispensing unit of claim 12, further comprising a visual indicator configured to activate to indicate to a user that the dose of medication can be accessed.

18. The drug dispensing unit of claim 12, further comprising a lock preventing access to an interior of the canister, the lock configured to be electrically releasable by the circuitry.

19. The drug dispensing unit of claim 18, wherein the circuitry permits use of the single dose dispensing mechanism at the predetermined interval.

20. The drug dispensing unit of claim 19, further comprising a power source arranged to provide electrical power to the circuitry.

21. The drug dispensing unit of claim 12, wherein the canister includes a removable drug cartridge.

22. A method of controlling prescription drug usage, the method comprising:

registering a handheld-sized drug dispensing unit in a prescription drug information network, the drug dispensing unit including;

a canister configured to receive a prescribed amount of medication, the canister including a single dose dispensing mechanism; and

circuitry configured to allow access to a dose of the medication at a predetermined interval;

communicatively connecting the drug dispensing unit to a prescription filling system;

filling the drug dispensing unit with a prescribed amount of a drug; and

programming the predetermined interval into the drug dispensing unit.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

obtaining a dosage access history from a memory of the drug dispensing unit; and

storing the dosage access history in a prescription database.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising charging a power source integrated into the drug dispensing unit.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein filling the drug dispensing unit with a prescribed amount of a drug comprises inserting a drug cartridge into the drug dispensing unit.