Portable patient devices, systems, and methods for providing patient aid and preventing medical errors, for monitoring patient use of ingestible medications, and for preventing distribution of counterfeit drugs
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring use of ingested medications, said system comprising:
- a container including an RFID container tag that provides said container with a particular container identification number, said RFID container tag capable of emitting a signal including said container identification number;
a plurality of medicinal tablets stored in said container, each of said medicinal tablets including an RFID tablet tag that provides a corresponding respective tablet with a particular tablet identification number, each of said RFID tablet tags capable of emitting a signal including its respective tablet identification number; and
a portable digital patient assistant for use by a patient during administration of said medicinal tablets, said portable digital patient assistant including an RFID reader and a communications output, said RFID reader capable of detecting the signals emitted by the respective RFID tags and said communications output enabled to send information regarding said administration to a remote location.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable digital patient assistant includes an RFID reader, a central processing unit for processing signals received from the RFID reader, a memory for storing data, and an output operatively linked to the central processing unit for providing output information regarding use of medicinal drugs. Methods for using the portable digital patient assistant include use at the doctor'"'"'s office, pharmacy, emergency medical vehicle, hospital, home, and use while taking medications to the verify authenticity thereof and prevent drug overdoses. Related methods and systems for manufacturing, packaging, and shipping medicinal drugs to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs are also provided. One of the methods includes the steps of preparing a predetermined amount of a specific type of drug for patient end-users; forming discrete individual doses of the specific type of drug; and associating a respective RFID tag with each of the discrete individual doses of the specific type of drug so that when the specific type of drug is distributed to the patient end-users, at least one RFID reader may be employed to read the RFID tags associated with each of the discrete individual doses to thereby verify the authenticity of the doses as they move through a distribution channel from a manufacture to the patient end-users.
-
Citations
91 Claims
-
1. A system for monitoring use of ingested medications, said system comprising:
-
a container including an RFID container tag that provides said container with a particular container identification number, said RFID container tag capable of emitting a signal including said container identification number; a plurality of medicinal tablets stored in said container, each of said medicinal tablets including an RFID tablet tag that provides a corresponding respective tablet with a particular tablet identification number, each of said RFID tablet tags capable of emitting a signal including its respective tablet identification number; and a portable digital patient assistant for use by a patient during administration of said medicinal tablets, said portable digital patient assistant including an RFID reader and a communications output, said RFID reader capable of detecting the signals emitted by the respective RFID tags and said communications output enabled to send information regarding said administration to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method of manufacturing and shipping drugs to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs, said method comprising the steps of:
-
preparing a predetermined amount of a specific type of drug for patient end-users; forming discrete individual doses of said specific type of drug; associating a respective RFID tag with each of said discrete individual doses of said specific type of drug; filling a predetermined number of bottle-type containers with a predetermined number of said discrete individual doses of said specific type of drug, each of said discrete individual doses having associated therewith its respective RFID tag; associating a respective RFID tag with each of said predetermined number of bottle-type containers; filling a predetermined number of box-type containers with a predetermined number of said bottle-type containers; associating a respective RFID tag with each of the predetermined number of filled box-type containers; placing a predetermined number of filled box-type containers in a shipping stack, each of said filled box-type containers having associated therewith its respective RFID tag; and associating a respective RFID tag with each of the predetermined number of shipping stacks so that when said specific type of drug is distributed to said patient end-users, a series of RFID readers may be employed to read the RFID tags associated with said shipping stacks, said filled box-type containers, said filled bottle-type containers, and each of said discrete individual doses to thereby verify the authenticity of each of said stacks, containers, and doses as they move through a distribution channel from a manufacture to said patient end-users.
-
-
8. A method of manufacturing drugs to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs, said method comprising the steps of:
-
preparing a predetermined amount of a specific type of drug for patient end-users; forming discrete individual doses of said specific type of drug; and associating a respective RFID tag with each of said discrete individual doses of said specific type of drug so that when said specific type of drug is distributed to said patient end-users, at least one RFID reader may be employed to read the RFID tags associated with each of said discrete individual doses to thereby verify the authenticity of said doses as they move through a distribution channel from a manufacture to said patient end-users.
-
-
9. A method of packaging and distributing solid or liquid drugs to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs, said method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a predetermined amount of a specific type of drug for patient end-users; filling each one of a predetermined number of bottle-type containers with some of said specific type of drug; and associating a respective RFID tag with each of said predetermined number of bottle-type containers so that when said specific type of drug is distributed to said patient end-users, at least one RFID reader may be employed to read the RFID tags associated with said filled bottle-type containers to thereby verify the authenticity of each of said bottle-type containers as they move through a distribution channel from a packaging operation to said patient end-users.
-
-
10. A method of packaging and distributing solid or liquid drugs to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs, said method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a predetermined amount of a specific type of drug for patient end-users; filling each one of a predetermined number of bottle-type containers with some of said specific type of drug; filling a predetermined number of box-type containers with a predetermined number of said bottle-type containers; and associating a respective RFID tag with each of the predetermined number of filled box-type containers so that when said specific type of drug is distributed to said patient end-users, at least one RFID reader may be employed to read the RFID tags associated with said filled box-type containers to thereby verify the authenticity of each of said box-type containers as they move through a distribution channel from a packaging operation to said patient end-users.
-
-
11. A method of packaging and distributing solid or liquid drugs to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs, said method comprising the steps of:
-
preparing a predetermined amount of a specific type of drug for patient end-users; filling each one of a predetermined number of bottle-type containers with some of said specific type of drug; filling a predetermined number of box-type containers with a predetermined number of said bottle-type containers; placing a predetermined number of filled box-type containers in a shipping stack; and associating a respective RFID tag with each of the predetermined number of shipping stacks so that when said specific type of drug is distributed to said patient end-users, at least one RFID reader may be employed to read the RFID tags associated with said shipping stacks to thereby verify the authenticity of each of said stacks as they move through a distribution channel from a packaging operation to said patient end-users.
-
-
12. A system for preventing use of counterfeit medications, said system comprising:
-
a portable digital patient assistant for use by a patient during administration of medicinal drugs, said portable digital patient assistant including a memory, an RFID reader, and an output, said memory enabled to store at least one container identification number, said RFID reader capable of detecting signals emitted by respective RFID tags, and said output enabled to provide information to said patient regarding manufacturing aspects of said medicinal drugs; and a database containing a plurality of container identification numbers each thereof associated with a respective RFID container tag included in a legitimately manufactured container so that when said patient uses any particular container of medicinal drugs, said RFID reader searches for a recognized container identification number emitted therefrom and in the absence of detecting same, said output is activated to indicate to said patient a possibility that said any particular container is counterfeit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A system for preventing use of counterfeit tablet medications, said system comprising:
-
a portable digital patient assistant for use by a patient during administration of tablet-type medicinal drugs, said portable digital patient assistant including a memory, an RFID reader, and an output, said memory enabled to store a plurality of tablet identification numbers, said RFID reader capable of detecting signals emitted by respective RFID tags, and said output enabled to provide information to said patient regarding manufacturing aspects of said tablet-type medicinal drugs; and a database containing a plurality of tablet identification numbers each thereof associated with a respective RFID tablet tag included in each legitimately manufactured tablet so that when said patient uses any particular tablet-type medicinal drug, said RFID reader searches for a recognized tablet identification number emitted therefrom and in the absence of detecting same, said output is activated to indicate to said patient a possibility that said any particular tablet-type medicinal drug is counterfeit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A portable patient assistant device, comprising:
-
an RFID reader implemented to read an RFID tag associated with patient use of medicinal drugs; a central processing unit for processing signals received from said RFID reader; a memory for storing data about said medicinal drugs, said memory being operatively associated with said central processing unit; and an output operatively linked to said central processing unit to provide output information regarding said use of medicinal drugs. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. A system for facilitating patient doctor interaction during patient care, said system comprising:
-
a portable patient assistant device including a central processing unit, a memory for storing data operatively associated with said central processing unit, and an output operatively linked to said central processing unit to provide output information to said patient; a medical computer under control of said doctor, said medical computer having a central processing unit, a memory, and at least one communication link to a remote location for retrieving information relating to said patient care; and means for transferring information from said medical computer to said portable patient assistant device so that when said patient uses said portable patient assistant device in the absence of attending medical personnel, said output provides relevant care information to said patient. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
-
-
37. A method for facilitating a patient'"'"'s visit to a medical or dental office, said method comprising the steps of:
-
arriving at an office appointment with a portable patient assistant device including a memory having stored patient data, an input for receiving data into the device, and an output for outputting information from the device to a remote location; connecting said portable patient assistant device to an office computer system; transferring at least some of said stored patient data from said memory to said office computer system; inputting updated patient data into said office computer system; and transferring said updated patient data from said office computer system to said portable patient assistant device for patient use after completion of said office appointment. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
-
-
38. A method for facilitating a patient'"'"'s visit to a medical or dental office, said method comprising the steps of:
-
arriving at an office appointment with a portable patient assistant device including a memory having stored patient data, an input for receiving data into the device, and an output for outputting information from the device to a remote location; connecting said portable patient assistant device to an office computer system; connecting said office computer system to an insurance company computer system; transferring at least some of said stored patient data from said memory to said office computer system; transferring at least some of the transferred patient data from said office computer system to said insurance company computer system; inputting updated patient data into said office computer system; and transferring said updated patient data from said office computer system to said portable patient assistant device for patient use after completion of said office appointment. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
-
-
43. A method for providing insurance company review and processing of a patient expense, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a patient with a portable patient assistant device including a memory for storing patient data, an input for receiving data into the device, and an output for outputting information from the device to a remote location; inputting a procedure request into said memory of said portable patient assistant device; connecting said portable patient assistant device to an insurance company computer system; reviewing said procedure request at the insurance company; and providing a result from said reviewing step. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 55, 56, 57)
-
-
58. A method for facilitating a patient'"'"'s visit to a pharmacy, said method comprising the steps of:
-
arriving at a pharmacy with a portable patient assistant device including a memory having stored patient data, an input for receiving data into the device, and an output for outputting information from the device to a remote location; connecting said portable patient assistant device to a pharmacy computer system; transferring at least some of said stored patient data from said memory to said pharmacy computer system; updating patient data in said pharmacy computer system; and filling any prescriptions for medications indicated by said transferring step.
-
-
59. A method for facilitating a patient'"'"'s visit to a pharmacy, said method comprising the steps of:
-
arriving at a pharmacy with a portable patient assistant device including a memory having stored patient data, an input for receiving data into the device, and an output for outputting information from the device to a remote location; connecting said portable patient assistant device to a pharmacy computer system; connecting said pharmacy computer system to an insurance company computer system; transferring at least some of said stored patient data from said memory to said pharmacy computer system; transferring at least some of the transferred patient data from said pharmacy computer system to said insurance company computer system; updating patient data in said pharmacy computer system; and filling any prescriptions for medications indicated by said by at least one of said transferring steps. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63)
-
-
64. A system for monitoring a patient'"'"'s purchase and use of medication, said system comprising:
-
a pharmacy computer system including a database having patient information; a container including an RFID container tag that provides said container with a particular container identification number, said RFID container tag capable of emitting a signal including said container identification number; a plurality of medicinal tablets stored in said container, each of said medicinal tablets including an RFID tablet tag that provides a corresponding respective tablet with a particular tablet identification number, each of said RFID tablet tags capable of emitting a signal including its respective tablet identification number; and a portable digital patient assistant for use by a patient during purchase and administration of said medicinal tablets, said portable digital patient assistant being connectable to said pharmacy computer system and including a memory and an RFID reader capable of detecting the signals emitted by the respective RFID tags so that upon purchase, said RFID reader detects the RFID tags and said portable digital patient assistant stores said particular container and tablet identification numbers in said memory and transfers same to said pharmacy computer system for storing in said database thereof. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
-
-
75. A system for monitoring a pharmacy'"'"'s sales and distribution of medication, said system comprising:
-
a pharmacy computer system including a database having patient information and a pharmacy-maintained RFID reader; a container including an RFID container tag that provides said container with a particular container identification number, said RFID container tag capable of emitting a signal including said container identification number; and a plurality of medicinal tablets stored in said container, each of said medicinal tablets including an RFID tablet tag that provides a corresponding respective tablet with a particular tablet identification number, each of said RFID tablet tags capable of emitting a signal including its respective tablet identification number so that upon purchase, said pharmacy-maintained RFID reader detects the RFID tags and said particular container and tablet identification numbers are stored in said database along with any new or prior related patient information. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79)
-
-
80. A method of creating a medical history for an individual, said method comprising the steps of:
-
obtaining a portable patient assistant device at the time of birth of an individual, said portable patient assistant device including a memory; storing in said memory of said portable patient assistant device personal information and medical information relating to the birth of said individual to thereby create a birth record; and ensuring that said portable patient assistant device accompanies said individual to each medical office visit after birth so that said birth record may be supplemented with updated medical information.
-
-
81. A system for preventing use of counterfeit tablet medications, said system comprising:
-
a portable digital patient assistant for use by a patient during administration of tablet-type medicinal drugs, said portable digital patient assistant including a memory, an RFID reader, and an output, said memory enabled to store a plurality of tablet identification numbers, said RFID reader capable of detecting signals emitted by respective RFID tags, and said output enabled to provide information to said patient regarding manufacturing aspects of said tablet-type medicinal drugs; and a database stored in said memory, said database containing a plurality of tablet identification numbers each thereof associated with a respective RFID tablet tag included in each legitimately manufactured tablet provided in a container so that when said patient uses any respective tablet-type medicinal drug from said container, said RFID reader searches for a recognized tablet identification number and when so detected, said output of said portable digital patient assistant indicates that said respective tablet-type medicinal drug is authentic. - View Dependent Claims (83)
-
-
82. A system for preventing use of counterfeit tablet medications, said system comprising:
-
a portable digital patient assistant for use by a patient during administration of tablet-type medicinal drugs provided in a tablet container, said portable digital patient assistant including a memory, an RFID reader, and an output, said memory enabled to store a plurality of tablet container identification numbers, said RFID reader capable of detecting signals emitted by respective RFID tags associated with tablet containers, and said output enabled to provide information to said patient regarding manufacturing aspects of said tablet containers; and a database stored in said memory, said database containing a plurality of tablet container identification numbers each thereof associated with a respective RFID tablet container tag included in each legitimately manufactured tablet container so that when said patient uses any respective tablet container, said RFID reader searches for a recognized tablet container identification number and when so detected, said output of said portable digital patient assistant indicates that said respective tablet container is authentic. - View Dependent Claims (84)
-
-
85. A system for monitoring use of ingested medications, said system comprising:
-
a plurality of medicinal tablets stored in a container, each of said medicinal tablets including an RFID tablet tag that provides a corresponding respective tablet with a particular tablet identification number, each of said RFID tablet tags capable of emitting a signal including its respective tablet identification number; and a portable RFID reader having an output, said RFID reader capable of detecting the signals emitted by the respective RFID tablet tags and providing an output indicating that the medicinal tablets are from a legitimate manufacture. - View Dependent Claims (86, 87)
-
-
88. A system for dispatching information during a medical emergency, said system comprising:
-
a portable digital patient assistant for use by a patient during an ambulance ride to a hospital emergency room, said portable digital patient assistant including a memory, a processor, an output, and a communications link, said memory including personal and medical information about the patient; and an on-board patient monitoring system associated with the ambulance, said on-board patient monitoring system including a communications link compatible with said communications link of said portable digital patient assistant so that information may be transferred from said portable digital patient assistant to said on-board patient monitoring system. - View Dependent Claims (89, 90, 91)
-
Specification