Interactive label for medication containers and dispensers
First Claim
1. A medication container for containing doses of medication, said medication container comprising:
- a first piece having inside and outside surfaces, said inside surface defining a compartment, and said compartment containing the medication;
a machine readable and writable, memory strip containing prescribed dosing regimen information for the medication, said memory strip being secured to said first piece in a predetermined location;
a second piece adapted for removable securement to said first piece, said second piece having a sensor positioned to communicate with said memory strip when said second piece is secured to said first piece, said second piece having a computer processor, a timing device and a communication device, said timing device, communication device and sensor being in electrical communication with said computer processor, said prescribed dosing regimen information in said memory strip being transmitted to said computer processor when said first piece is secured to said second piece, said computer processor using said prescribed dosing regimen information and said timing device to develop a predetermined time to take the medication, and said computer processor communicating said predetermined time to said communication device; and
wherein movement of said second piece causes a disruption in said communication to said computer processor, said timing device obtaining disruption time information corresponding to said movement of said second piece, and said disruption time information being recorded in said memory strip.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a multi-piece, automated medication container having a first piece with an interactive label and a machine readable and writable electronic memory strip. The memory strip contains prescription information, medication information and program codes that are downloaded to a second piece having a computer processor. In one embodiment of the invention, the interactive label is affixed to a vial of a standard childproof container. The vial is sealed by an automated cap. The automated cap includes sensors for reading the information and codes on the memory strip and a memory for storing the information and codes. The automated cap also includes a display for visually or audibly indicating desired information to the patient, such as when to take the next dose of medication. A computer controlled locking assembly in the cap presents its removal before the prescribed time for taking the next dose of medication. The sensors also obtain actual medication consumption information based on when the container is opened. This actual consumption information is used to keep inventory information regarding the number of doses remaining in the container. The actual consumption information and inventory information is stored in the memory of the cap or sent to the interactive label to update the memory strip. The memory strip can also contain contraindication information for downloading to a personal home computer or a hospital or nursing home computer. In an other embodiment, the interactive label is affixed to a blister pack containing individual doses of medication. The blister pack is then placed in an automated dispenser.
465 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A medication container for containing doses of medication, said medication container comprising:
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a first piece having inside and outside surfaces, said inside surface defining a compartment, and said compartment containing the medication; a machine readable and writable, memory strip containing prescribed dosing regimen information for the medication, said memory strip being secured to said first piece in a predetermined location; a second piece adapted for removable securement to said first piece, said second piece having a sensor positioned to communicate with said memory strip when said second piece is secured to said first piece, said second piece having a computer processor, a timing device and a communication device, said timing device, communication device and sensor being in electrical communication with said computer processor, said prescribed dosing regimen information in said memory strip being transmitted to said computer processor when said first piece is secured to said second piece, said computer processor using said prescribed dosing regimen information and said timing device to develop a predetermined time to take the medication, and said computer processor communicating said predetermined time to said communication device; and wherein movement of said second piece causes a disruption in said communication to said computer processor, said timing device obtaining disruption time information corresponding to said movement of said second piece, and said disruption time information being recorded in said memory strip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A medication container for containing doses of medication, said medication container comprising:
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a first piece having inside and outside surfaces, said inside surface defining a compartment, and said compartment containing the medication; a machine readable and writable memory strip containing quantity information regarding the quantity of the doses of medication in said first piece, said memory strip being secured to said first piece in a predetermined location; and
,a second piece adapted for removable securement to said first piece, said second piece having a sensor positioned to communicate with said memory strip when said second piece is secured to said first piece, said second piece having a computer processor, said sensor being in electrical communication with said computer processor, and said information in said memory strip being transmitted to said computer processor when said first piece is secured to said second piece, and said sensor senses removal information corresponding to a removal of the medication from said first piece, said sensor communicating said removal information to said computer processor, and said computer processor altering said quantity information in said memory strip to indicate that said quantity of medication in said first piece has been reduced. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A medication container for containing doses of medication comprising:
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a vial having a wall with an outer surface and an open end; a machine readable and writable, electronic memory strip containing predetermined information, said strip having an electrical contact for electrically accessing said information, and said strip being secured to said vial; a cap having a top and a rim, said cap being adapted to matingly engage said open end of said vial, said cap being adapted to seal said open end of said vial by advancing said cap into a secure position, said cap having a sensing tab that extends over said contact of said electronic memory strip when in said secure position; a sensor located in said sensing tab of said cap, said sensor being in electrical communication with said contact when in said secure position; a computer processor located in said cap, said sensor being in electrical communication with said computer processor, and said computer processor using said predetermined information to select desired information; and a communication device located in said cap and in electrical communication with said computer processor, said computer processor communicating said desired information to said communication device, and altering said predetermined information in said electronic memory strip. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A medication container for dispensing doses of medication comprising:
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a blister pack formed by a tear resistant molded sheet and a backing sheet, said tear resistant molded sheet having a plurality of pockets, each of said pockets being filled with one of the doses of medication, said backing sheet being secured to said molded sheet and extending over said filled pockets to seal the medication in said pockets; a dispenser for housing said blister pack, said dispenser having a computer processor; a machine readable and writable, electronic memory strip containing predetermined information, said electronic memory strip being secured to said blister pack; a first sensor in electrical communication with said computer processor, said first sensor being in electrical communication with said memory strip when said blister pack is secured to said dispenser, said predetermined information being electrically communicated to said computer processor; an alignment mechanism for engaging said blister pack and aligning said electronic memory strip with said first sensor, and further aligning one of said filled pockets into a dispensing position; a plunger aligned with said filled pocket when in said dispensing position; a dispensing mechanism that advances said plunger into one of said filled pockets to release the medication in said one of said filled pockets; and
,a second sensor for sensing the dispensment of the medication from the blister pack, said second sensor being in electrical communication with said computer processor, and said computer processor altering said predetermined information in said electronic memory strip after the medication is dispensed. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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Specification