MEDICAL PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method for distributing a medical product, comprising:
- storing an electronic self-selection process related to the medical product on a controller;
storing an electronic de-selection process related to the medical product on the controller;
allowing a potential purchaser of the medical product to access the electronic self-selection and de-selection processes;
controlling the controller via the electronic self-selection process to provide a transaction record for the medical product only if the potential purchaser successfully completes the self-selection process for an initial purchase request of the medical product; and
controlling the controller via the electronic de-selection process to provide the transaction record for the medical product only if the potential purchaser successfully completes the de-selection process for a second or subsequent purchase request of the medical product.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for transferring restricted distribution medical products to an over-the-counter general sales environment are provided. Methods and systems of dispensing non-prescription, behind-the-counter medical products from a vending machine in a general sales location are also provided. In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for dispensing a medical product from a vending machine in a general sales location based, at least in part, on biometric data collected from the purchaser and, in some instances, based on self-selection and/or de-selection criteria, is provided. Further, methods and systems of switching prescription medical products to non-prescription, over-the-counter medical products are provided.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for distributing a medical product, comprising:
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storing an electronic self-selection process related to the medical product on a controller; storing an electronic de-selection process related to the medical product on the controller; allowing a potential purchaser of the medical product to access the electronic self-selection and de-selection processes; controlling the controller via the electronic self-selection process to provide a transaction record for the medical product only if the potential purchaser successfully completes the self-selection process for an initial purchase request of the medical product; and controlling the controller via the electronic de-selection process to provide the transaction record for the medical product only if the potential purchaser successfully completes the de-selection process for a second or subsequent purchase request of the medical product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for distributing a medical product, comprising:
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storing an electronic self-selection process related to the medical product on a controller; storing an electronic de-selection process related to the medical product on the controller; allowing a potential purchaser of the medical product to access the electronic self-selection and de-selection processes via a telephone; controlling the controller via the electronic self-selection process to allow shipment of the medical product to the purchaser only if the potential purchaser successfully completes the self-selection process for an initial purchase request of the medical product; and controlling the controller via the electronic de-selection process to allow shipment of the medical product to the purchaser only if the potential purchaser successfully completes the de-selection process for a second or subsequent purchase request of the medical product. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for dispensing medical products, comprising:
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identifying a particular medical product having a distribution restricted status; placing a vending machine in a general sales location, the vending machine having a person-machine-interface device in communication with a controller; storing a supply of the particular medical product in the vending machine; storing an electronic self-selection process on the controller; and controlling the vending machine, via the controller, to dispense a first sales unit of the particular medical product only if a purchaser successfully completes the self-selection process for an initial purchase request for the particular medical product via the interface device.
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31. A method of dispensing a medical product from a vending machine in a general sales location, comprising:
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accepting a purchase request at the vending machine from a purchaser for a particular restricted distribution medical product; determining if the purchase request is an initial purchase request or a subsequent purchase request by the purchaser for the particular medical product; accessing a self-selection algorithm for the particular medical product if the purchase request is the initial purchase request; accessing a de-selection algorithm for the particular medical product if the purchase request is the subsequent purchase request; requiring the purchaser to input an answer to each of a plurality of questions generated by the self-selection algorithm or the de-selection algorithm; and controlling the vending machine, via the self-selection algorithm or the de-selection algorithm, to dispense or not dispense the particular medical product based the answers.
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32. A method of dispensing a medical product from a vending machine in a general sales location, comprising:
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accepting a purchase request at a vending machine from a purchaser for a particular medical product; accessing a dispensing algorithm for the particular medical product; requiring the purchaser to input an answer to each of a plurality of questions generated by the dispensing algorithm; collecting biometric data from the purchaser; and determining whether or not to dispense the particular medical product based on the answers and based, at least in part, on the biometric data.
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33. A method of switching a prescription medical product to a non-prescription, over-the-counter medical product, comprising:
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selecting a particular medical product having a prescription status; developing a set of initial dispensing criteria for the particular medical product, the set of initial dispensing criteria that is sufficient so that a responsible regulatory agency approves a change in status of the particular medical product to a non-prescription status; developing a set of product specific and purchaser specific self-selection questions based on the set of initial dispensing criteria; arranging the set of self-selection questions into a self-selection algorithm; placing the particular medical product in a vending machine having a person-machine-interface device in electrical communication with a controller; placing the vending machine in a general sales location; storing the self-selection algorithm on the controller; and controlling the vending machine, via the controller, to dispense a first sales unit of the particular medical product only if a purchaser successfully completes the self-selection algorithm via the interface device.
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34. A medical product dispensing system, comprising:
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a vending machine defining a storage space, the storage space being configured to receive one or more restricted distribution medical products and one or more unrestricted distribution medical products therein; one or more person-machine-interface devices; a controller in communication with the vending machine and the one or more interface devices; and a self-selection algorithm resident on the controller for each of the restricted distribution medical products in the storage space, wherein the controller is configured, upon selection of a particular restricted distribution medical product by a purchaser via the one or more interface devices, to determine whether the selection of the particular restricted distribution medical product is a first request or a second request for the particular restricted distribution medical product, wherein the controller is configured to require the purchaser to complete the self-selection algorithm if the request is the first request, and wherein the controller is configured to dispense the particular restricted distribution medical product only if the purchaser successfully completes the self-selection algorithm.
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35. A method for distributing a medical product, comprising:
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providing a controller having a matching algorithm resident thereon; allowing a purchaser to access to the matching algorithm; controlling the matching algorithm to provide a plurality of exemplary symptoms or disease-states to the purchaser via at least one data entry and communication device in visual or auditory form; allowing the purchaser to select one or more symptoms or disease-states from the plurality of exemplary symptoms or disease-states when the one or more symptoms or disease-states match those currently being experienced by the purchaser; and controlling the matching algorithm to provide a list of one or more appropriate medical products for the one or more symptoms or disease-states selected.
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36. A method of switching a behind-the-counter medical product to an over-the-counter medical product, comprising, comprising:
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selecting a particular medical product having a behind-the-counter status; developing a set of initial dispensing criteria for the particular medical product, the set of initial dispensing criteria that is sufficient so that a responsible regulatory agency approves a change in status of the particular medical product to an over-the-counter status; developing a set of product specific and purchaser specific self-selection questions based on the set of initial dispensing criteria; arranging the set of self-selection questions into a self-selection algorithm; placing the particular medical product in a vending machine having a person-machine-interface device in electrical communication with a controller; placing the vending machine in a general sales location; storing the self-selection algorithm on the controller; and controlling the vending machine, via the controller, to dispense a first sales unit of the particular medical product only if a purchaser successfully completes the self-selection algorithm via the interface device.
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37. A method for distributing a particular medical product, comprising:
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providing a controller having a matching algorithm resident thereon for the particular medical product; allowing a purchaser to access to the matching algorithm; controlling the matching algorithm to provide a plurality of exemplary symptoms or disease-states for the particular medical product to the purchaser via at least one data entry and communication device; allowing the purchaser to select one or more symptoms or disease-states from the plurality of exemplary symptoms or disease-states when the one or more symptoms or disease-states match those currently being experienced by the purchaser; and determining if the purchase request is an initial purchase request or a subsequent purchase request by the purchaser for the particular medical product; accessing a self-selection algorithm for the particular medical product if the purchase request is the initial purchase request; accessing a de-selection algorithm for the particular medical product if the purchase request is the subsequent purchase request; requiring the purchaser to input an answer to each of a plurality of questions generated by the self-selection algorithm or the de-selection algorithm; and allowing, via the self-selection algorithm or the de-selection algorithm, the purchaser to purchase the particular medical product based the answers.
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Specification