Prescription compliance device and method of using device

• US 6,198,383 B1
• Filed: 10/25/1999
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bareholdtech LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Carol M. Sekura, Ronald D. Sekura
• Inventors: Sekura, Carol M., Sekura, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US09/425,292
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.4, 340/309.15, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15, 368/10
• US Class Current: 340/309.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 11/00 Producing optical signals at preselected times
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/026 acting at a number of different times
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A prescription compliance device which aids patients in complying with instructions given by a physician for taking prescription medication. The device reminds a patient when the next dose of medication is to the taken and indicates whether a specified dose has been taken. The device includes a microcontroller, a display, a program memory for storing pre-programmed medication-taking regimens for single and multiple medications, a real time clock, a selector for selecting one of the regimens and for programming the device as to the time and day on which a first dose of medication is to be taken, a display which alternately displays the current time and a time at which a next dose of medication is to be taken, and an alarm which alerts the patient at times when a dose of medication is to be taken. The selector includes an event switch which is activated by the patient after taking a dose of medication so as to record the taking of the medication and to cause the microcontroller to effect the display of the next time at which a dose of medication is to be taken. A memory may also be included to record the times at which a patient takes doses of medication. The device is small enough to be attached to medication containers, and includes a remote programming feature via a wireless link.

Claims

1. A computer program product for operating a prescription compliance device, comprising:

(a) a first computer code configured to switch the device to a setup state;

(b) a second computer code configured to program the current time into the device;

(c) a third computer code configured to select one of a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-taking regimens;

(d) a fourth computer code configured to program a time of day a first use of prescription is to be taken in accordance with the selected regimen;

(e) a fifth computer code configured to switch the device from a setup state to an operation state; and

(f) a sixth computer code configured to indicate to the device that a prescription has been followed;

wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-taking regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to use the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors;

1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to take a first use of the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to use the prescription.

2. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein any of said plurality of pre-programmed prescription-taking regimens corresponds to be used with any of a plurality of prescriptions.

3. The computer program product according to claim 2, further comprising:

(g) a seventh computer code configured to map an acronym input by the user and which corresponds to one of the plurality of prescriptions so as to allow the user to input acronyms to define specific prescriptions.

4. The computer program product according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said plurality of pre-programmed prescription-taking regimens calculates times when said patient is scheduled to use at least one of said plurality of prescriptions based on predetermined time intervals and a time a first use of said prescription is to be used.

5. The computer program product according to claim 1, further comprising:

(g) a seventh computer code configured to program a day on which the first dose of medication is to be taken.

6. The computer program product according to claim 1, further comprising:

(g) a seventh computer code configured to program a number of doses or number of days until prescription renewal;

(h) an eigth computer code configured to alert the user of the prescription renewal; and

(i) a ninth computer code configured to allow the number of doses or number of days to be reset.

7. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer code (a) is executed by activating a reset button.

8. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer code (b) is executed by activating an event switch to scan through times as displayed on a display and activating a function button to select the current time when displayed.

9. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer code (c) is executed by activating an event switch to scan through the pre-programmed regimens as displayed on a display, and activating a function button to select an appropriate regimen when displayed.

10. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer code (d) is executed by activating an event switch to scan through times or events as displayed on a display, and activating a function button to select an appropriate time or event when displayed, or activating an event switch to designate pre-programmed default times in accordance with a selected regimen.

11. The computer program product according to claim 5, wherein the computer code (g) is executed by activating an event switch to scan through days as displayed on a display, and activating a function button to select an appropriate day when displayed.

12. The computer program product according to claim 6, wherein the computer code (g) is executed by activating an event switch to scan through numbers as displayed on a display, and activating a function button to select an appropriate number when displayed.

13. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer code (e) is executed by activating an event switch after one of the regimens has been selected and the device has been programmed.

14. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein the computer code (f) is executed by activating an event switch after a dose of medication has been taken so as to cause the device to display a time at which a next dose of the medication is to be taken.

15. The computer program product according to claim 2, wherein the computer codes (a)-(f) are executed by activating an input device which communicates with the prescription compliance device.

16. The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the input device communicates with the prescription compliance device via a wireless link and comprises a personal computer.

17. The computer program product according to claim 16, wherein the wireless link is an infrared link.

18. The computer program product according to claim 2, further comprising:

(g) a seventh computer code configured to record times at which doses of medication are taken when an event switch is activated.

19. The computer program product according to claim 18, further comprising:

(h) an eighth computer code configured to access the recorded times via the wireless link.

22. The computer program product according to claim 1, further comprising:

a seventh computer code configured to notify the user that the prescription can be used in a medically acceptable time range.

20. A computer program product for operating a prescription compliance system, comprising:

a first computer code configured to transmit, from a prescription compliance device, a signal directly or indirectly to a patient identifying device and a recorder when a prescription is to be administered or has been administered;

a second computer code configured to transmit a patient identification signal to the recorder when the patient has taken the prescription;

a third computer code configured to record the signals transmitted by the prescription compliance device and the patient identifying device; and

a fourth computer code configured to confirm that the prescription was taken by the identified patient by correlating the recorded signals.

21. The computer program product according to claim 20, further comprising:

a fifth computer code configured to identify a location of the recorder; and

a sixth computer code configured to correlate the prescription-taking event with the patient and the location.

23. A prescription compliance device comprising:

a microcontroller;

a program memory storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-taking regimens;

a selector selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the selector including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with a patient taking a prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-taking regimen to register use of the prescription;

a display; and

a skip mechanism configured to allow the patient to skip using the prescription,

wherein the event switch causing the microcontroller to effect the display of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selector,

wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-taking regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to use the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors;

1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to first use the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to use the prescription.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the skip mechanism comprises a snooze button which silences an alarm activated when the patient misses a dose of medication.

25. A prescription compliance device comprising:

control means for controlling an operation of the prescription compliance device;

program memory means for storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-taking regimens;

select means for selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the select means including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with a patient using the prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-taking regimen to register use of the prescription;

skipping means for allowing the patient to skip one use of the prescription; and

display means for displaying prescription information to the patient,

wherein the event switch causing the control means to effect the display means of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the select means,

wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-taking regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to use the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors;

1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to first use the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to use the prescription.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the skipping means comprises a snooze button which silences an alarm activated when the patient misses use of the prescription.

27. A prescription compliance method, comprising the steps of:

controlling an operation of the prescription compliance device;

storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription using regimens;

selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith;

activating an event switch in conjunction with a patient making use of the prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-taking regimen to register use of the prescription;

allowing the patient to skip a use of the prescription; and

displaying prescription information to the patient,

wherein the event switch causes the control step to effect the display step of the time at which a next use of prescription is scheduled to be taken, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selecting step,

wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription utilization regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to use the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors;

1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to make first use of the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to use the prescription.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the skipping step comprises a snooze button which silences an alarm activated when the patient misses a use of the prescription.

29. A prescription compliance device comprising:

a microcontroller;

a program memory storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription using regimens;

a selector selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the selector including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with use of the prescription by the patient corresponding to a respective prescription-utilization regimen to register use of the prescription; and

a display,

wherein the event switch causing the microcontroller to effect the display of the time at which a use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selector, and

wherein at least one of the pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens corresponds to a prescription to be used on a cyclical basis,

wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-utilization regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to make use of the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors;

1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to make first use of the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to use the prescription.

30. A prescription compliance device comprising:

control means for controlling an operation of the prescription compliance device;

program memory means for storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens;

select means for selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the select means including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with a patient making use of a prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-utilization regimen to register the use of the prescription; and

display means for displaying prescription information to the patient,

wherein the event switch causing the control means to effect the display means of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the select means, and

wherein at least one of the pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens corresponds to a medication to be taken on a cyclical basis,

wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-utilization regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to use the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors;

1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to first use the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to make use of the prescription.

31. A prescription compliance method, comprising the steps of:

controlling an operation of the prescription compliance device;

storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed medication-taking regimens;

selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith;

activating an event switch in conjunction with a patient making use of a prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-utilization regimen to register the use of the prescription; and

displaying prescription information to the patient,

wherein the event switch causes the control step to effect the display step of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selecting step, and

wherein at least one of the pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens corresponds to a prescription to be used on a cyclical basis,

wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-utilization regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to make use of the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors;

1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to make first use of the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to use the prescription.

32. A prescription compliance device comprising:

a microcontroller;

a program memory storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens;

a selector selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the selector including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with a patient making use of the prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-utilization regimen to register use of the prescription; and

a display,

wherein the event switch causing the microcontroller to effect the display of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selector, and

wherein at least one of the pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens corresponds to a prescription to be followed on hourly intervals up to 99 hours.

33. The device according to claim 32, wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-utilization regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to make use of the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors:

1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to make first use of the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to use the prescription.

34. A prescription compliance device comprising:

control means for controlling an operation of the prescription compliance device;

program memory means for storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens;

select means for selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the select means including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with a patient making use of a prescription corresponding to a respective medication-taking regimen to register the use of the prescription; and

display means for displaying prescription information to the patient,

wherein the event switch causing the control means to effect the display means of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the select means, and

wherein at least one of the pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens corresponds to a prescription to be used on hourly intervals up to 99 hours.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-utilization regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to make use of the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors:

1) a preferred time at which the patient is to first use the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time following the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to make use of the prescription.

36. A prescription compliance method, comprising the steps of:

controlling an operation of the prescription compliance device;

storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens;

selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith;

activating an event switch in conjunction with a patient using the prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-utilization regimen for registering use of the prescription; and

displaying prescription information to the patient,

wherein the event switch causes the control step to effect the display step of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selecting step, and

wherein at least one of the pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens corresponds to a prescription to be taken on hourly intervals up to 99 hours.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-utilization regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to use the prescription, and

wherein the calculated times are based on the following factors:

1) a preferred time at which the patient is to make first use of the prescription;

2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and

3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to make use of the prescription.

38. A prescription compliance device comprising:

a microcontroller;

a program memory storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens corresponding to a plurality of prescriptions;

a selector selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the selector including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with a patient making use of a prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-utilization regimen to register use of the prescription;

a display;

an early take mechanism configured to allow the patient to make use of the prescription before the prescription is scheduled to be used at a calculated medically acceptable time,

wherein the event switch causes the microcontroller to effect the display the current time for which use of the prescription is medically acceptable, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selector.

39. A prescription compliance device comprising:

control means for controlling an operation of the prescription compliance device;

program memory means for storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-utilization regimens;

select means for selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the select means including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with a patient taking a use of a prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-utilization regimen for recording the taking of the medication;

early take means for allowing the patient to take a dose of medication before the medication is scheduled to be taken, at a medically acceptable time; and

display means for displaying prescription information to the patient,

wherein the event switch causing the control means to effect the display means of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the select means.

40. A prescription compliance method, comprising the steps of:

controlling an operation of the prescription compliance device;

storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed medication-taking regimens;

selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith;

activating an event switch in conjunction with a patient taking a dose of a medication corresponding to a respective medication-taking regimen for recording the taking of the medication;

allowing the patient to make use of the prescription at a medically acceptable time before the prescription is scheduled to be used; and

displaying prescription information to the patient, wherein the event switch causes the control step to effect the display step of the time at which a next dose of medication is scheduled to be taken, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selecting step.