Smart Medicine Container Assembly

• US 20090259336A1
• Filed: 06/22/2009
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novation Science Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: Novation Science Holding LLC
• Inventors: Ratnakar, Nitesh
• Granted Patent: US 9,043,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• 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 11/26 Endless bands
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

Present invention discloses a dispenser having means to dispense desired number of pills from a bulk supply of pills contained in the dispenser. The dispenser comprises of storage compartment having bulk supply of pills and having a discharge port emptying into counting compartment The counting compartment contains first and second conveyors moving at first and second speed; wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed thereby enabling pill separation; the second conveyor discharges pills into dispensing compartment. Sensors are strategically placed along the conveyors to count pills discharged into dispensing compartment A pill recovery system and apparatus is disposed inside the dispenser having means to recover pills remaining on conveyors upon completion of a dispensation cycle and deposit recovered pills back into the storage compartment for use in future dispensation cycles. A docking station having receptacles to accommodate dispenser is provided. Docking station has communication ports enabling two-way communication with personal computer.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined number of dosages of a medicine from a bulk supply of tire medicine, comprising:

storage compartment for receiving the bulk supply of the medicine therein, the storage container having a discharge port;

counting compartment having means to receive at least one pill from storage compartment and dispense at least one dosage of medicine into collecting compartment;

collecting compartment having an outlet for providing user access to dispensed dose of medicine;

dispenser having a memory chip and means to record instances of user access to medicine in memory chip;

a docking station having receptacle for accommodating one or more dispenser units;

docking station in communication link with external communication device;

dispenser transmitting instances of user access to medicine to communication device when rested in the docking station.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein instances of user access to dispensed dose of medicine is recorded in the memory chip of the dispenser.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein instances of user access to dispensed dose of medicine is transmitted to web server via communication link between the dispenser, external communication device and web server.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein access to recorded instances of user access to dispensed medication is restricted to authorized users.

2. The dispenser of claim I wherein the user access to dispensed dose of medicine is determined by sensor operatively engaged to outlet for dispensed dose of medicine.

6. A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined number of dosages of a medicine from a bulk supply of the medicine, comprising:

storage compartment for receiving the bulk supply of the medicine therein, the storage container having a discharge port;

counting compartment having means to receive at least one pill from storage compartment and dispense at least one dosage of medicine into collecting compartment;

collecting compartment having an outlet for providing user access to dispensed dose of medicine;

dispenser having an internal clock;

dispenser in communication link with external communication device;

dispenser having internal circuitry programmable with prescribing schedules;

application in external communication device providing means for user input of medicine dose dispensation times corresponding to one or more prescribing schedules;

external communication device transmitting medicine dose dispensation times corresponding to one or more prescribing schedules to dispenser;

dispenser dispensing medicine dose according to prescribed schedule and according to user entered medicine dose dispensation times.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the internal clock of the dispenser is synchronized with the internal clock of the external communication device.

8. A dispenser assembly for dispensing a predetermined number of dosages of a medicine from a bulk supply of the medicine, comprising:

storage compartment, for receiving the bulk supply of the medicine therein, the storage container haying a discharge port;

counting compartment having means to receive at least one pill from storage compartment and dispense at least, one dosage of medicine into collecting compartment;

collecting compartment providing user access to dispensed dose of medicine;

a docking station having receptacle for accommodating one or more dispenser units;

docking station in communication link with external communication device.

9. The dispenser assembly of claim 8 wherein docking station lias multiple receptacles having means to accommodate multiple dispenser units.

10. The dispenser assembly of claim 8 wherein docking station has one or more communication ports,

11. The dispenser assembly of claim 8 wherein communication link between docking station and external communication device is a wireless communication link.

12. The dispenser assembly of claim 8 wherein communication link between docking station and external communication device is wired communication link.