Programmable medication dispensing system
First Claim
1. A medication-dispensing system comprising prescribing data storage means having a memory for storing prescription information, prescribing data entry means for encoding prescription information on the prescribing data storage means, and medication-dispensing means responsive to information stored in the prescribing data storage means including display means for displaying instructions regarding medication referred to in the information stored in the prescribing data storage means, medication container means for storing and dispensing medication, alerting means for alerting a user of a scheduled medication time in response to medication regimen information received by the dispensing means, dispense means for terminating operation of the alerting means and indicating the scheduled medication and confirming entry means requiring actuation by a user to indicate compliance with medication instructions and to terminate operation of the dispense means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medication-dispensing system includes a prescribing data entry station for use by a physician to store prescription information in a portable prescribing module, a dispensing data entry station for use by a pharmacist to store dispensing information in a portable dispensing data storage unit, and a medication dispenser responsive to information stored in the portable prescribing module to describe use of medication in the dispenser in accordance with a regimen prescribed by the physician and to the dispensing data storage unit to control dispensing of the medication. One embodiment has two medication drawers, each having a plurality of compartments with indicating lights selectively indicating the compartment from which medication is to be taken, a screen for displaying instructions regarding loading of the medication compartments and taking of the medication, and a keyboard including a confirming entry key for actuation by the user to confirm compliance with the instructions. Another embodiment has a series of medication-containing compartments, each covered by a separate sliding or folding cover.
561 Citations
31 Claims
- 1. A medication-dispensing system comprising prescribing data storage means having a memory for storing prescription information, prescribing data entry means for encoding prescription information on the prescribing data storage means, and medication-dispensing means responsive to information stored in the prescribing data storage means including display means for displaying instructions regarding medication referred to in the information stored in the prescribing data storage means, medication container means for storing and dispensing medication, alerting means for alerting a user of a scheduled medication time in response to medication regimen information received by the dispensing means, dispense means for terminating operation of the alerting means and indicating the scheduled medication and confirming entry means requiring actuation by a user to indicate compliance with medication instructions and to terminate operation of the dispense means.
- 2. A medication-dispensing system comprising prescribing data storage means having a memory for storing prescription information, prescribing data entry means for encoding prescription information in the prescribing data storage means, and medication-dispensing means responsive to information stored in the prescribing data storage means including display means for displaying instructions regarding medication referred to in the information stored in the prescribing data storage means, medication container means for storing and dispensing medication in response to medication regimen information received by the dispensing means and confirming entry means requiring actuation by a user to indicate compliance with medication instructions, wherein the container means comprises a normally closed container which is released to permit access to medication and wherein the dispenser will not permit closing of the container in the absence of actuation of the confirming entry means.
- 19. A medication dispenser comprising medication container means, data storage means removably connected to the dispenser for providing medication information to the dispenser, display means for displaying medication information including instructions regarding medication, control means responsive to the data storage means for controlling the display means to display instructions for use of medication in the medication container means, confirming entry means for actuation by a user to indicate compliance with instructions presented on the display means, and alarm means for generating an alarm signal upon closing of the medication container means prior to actuation of the confirming entry means.
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31. A medication-dispensing system comprising medication data storage means having a memory for storing medication information, display means for displaying information regarding medication stored in the medication data storage means, medication container means for storing and dispensing medication, dispense means for opening the medication container means, confirming entry means requiring actuation by a user to indicate taking of medication contained in the container means, and reminder means to remind the user to close the medication container means.
Specification