NETWORKED NOTIFICATION FOR DISPENSABLE UNITS

• US 20160042151A1
• Filed: 08/05/2015
• Published: 02/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hero Health, Inc. (Hero Health IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: Makefield LLC
• Inventors: Akdogan, Kutadgu, Von Heifner, Christian, Vepuri, Kalyan C., Kelley, Maya, Hagopian, Greggory Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,731,853 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/08 by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0683 Details of suction cup structure, e.g. grooves or ridges
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/023 including video camera means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/026 Gantry-type
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1697 Vision controlled systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/06 Separating single articles from loose masses of articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/18 by suction-operated grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/34 by agitators or vibrators
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/08 Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/14 and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/20 Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles other applications B65B65/08
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/047 Articles manipulated as bulk
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/912 provided with drive systems with rectilinear movements only
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/36 Devices for emptying from the top
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/1657 the picking arrangements using suction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 : delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/09 : Closed loop, sensor feedback controls arm movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/47 : Optical

Abstract

A system enables management of dispensable units by supporting functions such as retrieval, scheduled distribution, analysis, and notifications. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through optical sensors and weight measurement devices that can detect, e.g., a texture, a shape, and a size of dispensable units. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern. Additionally, networked notification systems for dispensable units can be used for updating rules or schedules related to the dispensable units, or alerting users and remote resources of any potential misuse or hazards of the dispensable units.

Claims

1. A system for controlling distribution of sensitive dispensable units comprising:

a container holding a plurality of dispensable units subject to managed distribution according to a number of rules;

a dispensing system operable to dispense the plurality of dispensable units from the container;

a processor and a memory operatively connected to the container and the dispensing system, the processor configured to dispense one or more of the plurality of dispensable units according to a predetermined schedule and the number of rules; and

a network interface coupling the processor to a data network, wherein the processor is configured to receive an update to the predetermined schedule or the number of rules from a remote resource through the data network.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the update includes a recall of the plurality of dispensable units.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of dispensable units includes at least one controlled substance.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the number of rules includes a tracking rule related to at least one of a dosage conflict, an illegal use, and a high-risk use of one or more of the plurality of dispensable units.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the update includes an update to the tracking rule.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to transmit a notification based on a detected event at one or more of the container and the dispensing system, and wherein the update is received in response to the detected event.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the notification is transmitted to one or more of a treating physician for a user of the plurality of dispensable units, a manufacturer of one of the plurality of dispensable units, an insurer of the user of the plurality of dispensable units, and a pharmacy for the user of the plurality of dispensable units.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the detected event includes at least one of a dispensing of one or more of the plurality of dispensable units, or that a dispensable unit has not been dispensed at a predetermined time.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the detected event includes a detected environmental condition.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the detected event includes that an amount of dispensable units in the container has fallen below a predetermined threshold amount, and wherein the notification includes sending a request to receive additional dispensable units.

11. A system for controlling distribution of sensitive dispensable units comprising:

a container holding a plurality of dispensable units subject to managed distribution according to a number of rules;

a dispensing system operable to dispense the plurality of dispensable units from the container;

a processor and a memory operatively connected to the container and the dispensing system, the processor configured to dispense one or more of the plurality of dispensable units according to a predetermined schedule and the number of rules; and

a network interface coupling the processor to a data network, wherein the processor is configured to transmit a notification of a potential misuse of the plurality of dispensable units to a remote resource through the data network.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the plurality of dispensable units includes at least one controlled substance.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the number of rules includes a tracking rule related to at least one of a dosage conflict, an illegal use, and a high-risk use of one or more of the plurality of dispensable units.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the tracking rule is checked for accuracy on a predetermined basis.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the tracking rule is specifically tailored to a particular dispensable unit included in the plurality of dispensable units.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the potential misuse includes violation of a tracking rule.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the remote resource includes at least one of a physician'"'"'s office, a law enforcement agency, a mobile device, and a manufacturer of one of the plurality of dispensable units.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein the potential misuse includes one or more of a misdosage and a dispensing of a dispensable unit by an unauthorized user.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the potential misuse includes that a dispensable unit has not been dispensed at a predetermined time.

20. The system of claim 11 wherein the potential misuse includes at least one of a certain range of dispensable units being dispensed in a predetermined time period and a certain combination of dispensable units being dispensed in a predetermined time period.