Smart Medicine Container

• US 20100096399A1
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Novation Science Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: Novation Science Holding LLC
• Inventors: Ratnakar, Nitesh
• Application Number:
  US12/613,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20100096399A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/1
• 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 11/44 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
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

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. The present invention also relates to a method of determining medication-medication interaction. Furthermore, the present, invention relates to a method of determining medication side effect as being causative of a patient'"'"'s clinical symptoms.

Claims

1. A method of operating a medicine dispensing device, comprising:

storing a first bulk supply of a first medicine in a first storage container having a first discharge port;

securing the first storage container such that the first medicine cannot be accessed by a first user;

dispensing at least a portion of the first supply to a collection portion; and

notifying the first user of first instructions related to using the first medicine.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recognizing the first user; and

permitting the first user to access at least a portion of the first supply in the collection portion.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recognizing a second user;

permitting the second user to access at least a portion of the first supply in the collection portion; and

notifying the second user of second instructions related to using the first medicine.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a second bulk supply of a second medicine in a second storage container having a second discharge port;

dispensing at least a portion of the second supply to the collection portion; and

notifying the first user of second instructions related to using the second medicine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first instructions include one of “

take with water” and

“

take on a full stomach”

.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein notifying includes at least one of an audio and a video feed.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying the first user of information not related to the use of the first medicine.

8. A dispenser for storing bulk supply medicine comprising:

electronic display unit and/or speaker;

internal memory sized to store mediation information for medicine contained therein;

internal memory sized to store prescription schedule of medicine contained therein;

electronic display unit and/or speaker programmed to display medication information according to prescription schedule.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein medication information is one or more of text, image, audio and video.

10. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein it further comprises of internal circuitry programmed to dispense individual doses of medicine contained therein according to prescribed schedule.

11. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein it is in communication link with remote server;

and further wherein information relayed to the dispenser from remote server is displayed on the electronic display unit.

12. A method of patient education for medications comprising:

providing a dispenser having electronic display unit and/or speaker and internal memory;

entering prescription schedule into the internal memory;

entering medication information into the internal memory;

programming the electronic display unit and/or speaker to display medication information according to prescription schedule.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein medication information is displayed during time period when medication is prescribed to be taken.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein medication information is one or more of text, image, audio and video.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein medication information is entered into the internal memory from remote server.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein disease information corresponding to medication is saved in the internal memory.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein disease information is displayed on the electronic display unit.