Medical reminder + dispensing device

• US 20170193189A1
• Filed: 09/01/2011
• Published: 07/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbas Beigi, Tracy Turnell
• Original Assignee: Abbas Beigi, Tracy Turnell
• Inventors: Turnell, Tracy, Beigi, Abbas
• Granted Patent: US 9,934,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0427 with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A medication reminder and dispensing system (FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C) comprised of a reminder/dispenser device with a housing with a plurality of medication holding drawers situated therein, a means to provide optimum security to contents of medication reminder, are child-safe and tamper-proof (FIG. 1C, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3) but also enable slid able movement of each drawer to an open position relative to the housing, to expose the interior of the drawer, which means conversely allows secure closure of each drawer relative to the housing, a means to prevent complete detachment (FIG. 3) of each drawer from the housing and a) a programmable communication means for entering, storing, retrieving and signalling messages to a patient (FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C).

Claims

1. A medication reminder and dispensing system which comprises:

a) A reminder/dispenser device comprising of i) a housing with plurality of medication holding drawers situated therein, II) a means to enable the opening movement of each drawer to an open position relative to the house, to expose the interior of the drawer, which means conversely allows secure closure of each drawer relative to the housing, III) means to prevent complete detachment of each drawer from the house, iv) a programmable communication means for entering, storing, retrieving and signalling messages to the patient, said messages prompting patient to take medications in one or more drawers;

v) actuating means to have the device identify the specific one or more drawers, at a selected time, which must be opened and emptied of their mediation contents according to a pre-programmed dosing schedule and a means to visually, aurally, or audibly identify the drawer to the patient and vi) feedback means to allow patient to confirm to device that drawer has been emptied in accordance with a pre-programmed dosing schedule;

b) i) a communication line interface operatively coupled to device for communication to remote monitoring station, said interface being capable of receiving and communicating signals from the device, including a signal that patient is in non-compliance with drawer emptying and feedback means; and

, ii) a wearable form by the patient to remotely provide communication to and from the device; and

iii) a form of communication from the Patient Support Centre to the patient using GPS (Global Positioning System); and

voice control between the patient and the Patient Support Centre; and

, iv) a communication method between the device and the Internet.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing is an integral one piece receptacle into which the drawers fit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the signalling of messages to the patient is achieved by means which are detectable by human senses and is based upon the pre-programmed dosing schedule.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the programmable communication means include a touch-enabled LCD display screen.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein programmable communication means include audio messaging to the patient.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the means to enable drawer movement to open and closed positions includes an arrangement of reverse electro-magnetism situated on the back of each drawer.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the polarity of the magnets is adjustable to push the drawer to an open position until patient confirms to device that drawer has been emptied in accordance with pre-programmed dosing schedule.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the actuating means includes microprocessor which is programmed with a specific dosing schedule and which identifies one or more drawers which are to be opened, at any given time, in accordance with said schedule.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the actuating means causes one or more drawers, which are to be opened, at any given time, in accordance with said schedule, to be illuminated.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the drawer illumination is an activated LED Light indicator.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the programmable communication means includes a microprocessor which is programmed to manage display functions, notification functions and other operational features of the device.

12. The system of claims 9 to 11 wherein the microprocessors are programmed by direct communication to a computer via USB port connection or the Internet via LAN, 3G or 4G Wi-Fi connection.

13. The system of claim 1 which additionally includes a receiver for acquiring a signal from a portable unit, to be carried or worn by the patient, said portable unit alerting the patient as to messages generated by the device but not limited to only messages from the device.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote monitor station is provided with means to contact one or more the patient, patient'"'"'s caregiver, healthcare professional and the patient'"'"'s contacts when signal is received that patient is in non-compliance with drawer emptying.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein feedback means to allow patient to confirm to device that drawer emptied in accordance with pre-programmed dosing schedule including method to reset and lock the device to ensure tamperproof and child-safe security.

16. The system of claim 1 which includes 56 drawers.

17. The system of claim 1 which provides communication between device and patient as well as, patient support center to patient, and patient'"'"'s contacts to device via smart-phone and/or internet connection.

18. The system of claim 1 which includes a computer tablet docking station and means through which tablet communicates with the device.