Audio prescription instruction device

• US 5,835,455 A
• Filed: 10/04/1996
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Elliott, Scott D., Cobb, Michael S., Work, David R., Hanson, E. Christine
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US08/726,860
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/69, 368/72-74, 368/250, 368/251, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15, 364/569
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/06 using voice

Abstract

A reprogrammable device for removably receiving a medicine container and for providing audio instructions to a patient for taking a medication. When a medicine container is removed from the device by the patient so that the patient may take the medicine, the device can be activated to play a pre-recorded individualized message from the pharmacist providing the patient audio instructions for taking the medication.

Claims

1. A reprogrammable device for housing at least one medication container and recording and playing human audio instructions for taking said medication, comprising:

(a) a pocket size unitary housing comprising;

(i) said at least one medication container comprising a vial portion and a cap portion, the housing further comprising a U-shape retaining clip surrounding greater than 50% of the circumference of said medication container for releasably retaining the medication container in the housing;

(ii) means for receiving a human audio message;

(iii) reprogrammable computer means electrically connected to said means for receiving a human audio message, and for storing and transmitting said message for replay;

(iv) a recessed switch mounted on said housing for programing or reprogramming the computer means;

(v) means for emitting a human audio message electrically connected to said computer means;

(vi) manual actuation means electrically connected to said computer means for a human to selectively actuate said computer means so as to cause said stored human audio message to be transmitted to said means for emitting, said actuator means consisting of both said U-shape clip and a push button switch mounted on said housing wherein either removal of said medication container or manual activation of said push button switch will serve to cause the stored message to be transmitted to said means for emitting;

(vii) a battery electrically connected to said computer means for providing electrical power thereto; and

(b) said device defining a pocket size for insertion into a clothing pocket of a human user for portable use of said device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuation means comprises retaining means for releasably retaining the medication container in the housing, and which, when a human manually removes the medication container, actuates said computer means.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the recessed switch is a pin-hole type switch.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a cavity, said cavity having a capacity for receiving the medical container, and where the retaining clip is mounted within the cavity.