Liquid medication dispenser apparatus

• US 6,249,717 B1
• Filed: 06/02/1997
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SangStat Medical Corporation (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: SangStat Medical Corporation (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Pouletty, Philippe, Nicholson, Laurence R., McEnroe, Debra L., Levy, Ralph, Tyner, Cliff, Britts, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US08/867,010
• Time in Patent Office: 1,478 Days
• Field of Search: 364/479.14, 364/479.1, 364/479.06, 364/479.03, 364/479.01, 364/479.02, 364/479.07, 222/644, 222/642, 222/39, 222/30, 222/638, 222/639, 222/36, 222/37, 222/71, 222/246, 22/2, 221/7, 700/29.C, 700/236, 700/244, 700/241, 368/10
• US Class Current: 700/241
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/05 for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids multiple bags systems for separating or storing blood components A61M1/0209; Infusion or perfusion containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/50 using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0076 Medicament distribution means with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0409 with timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0472 of the count-down type, i.e. counting down a predetermined interval after each reset
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis

Abstract

A liquid medication dispenser apparatus which provides for user-friendly medication measurement and compliance. The apparatus measures and dispenses liquid medication doses and records the time and dose sizes for up to one year. The recorded information can then be downloaded to a personal computer for evaluation of patient compliance. A disposable, motor driven pump is used to provide a very wide range of medication dispensation volumes, while maintaining full accuracy and reducing the risks of patient errors as might occur with a manual dispense system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for therapeutic drug therapy, comprising:

(a) means for dispensing a plurality of oral doses of a liquid therapeutic drug from a medication container;

(b) means for recording the size of said doses of the liquid therapeutic drug dispensed;

(c) means for recording the dates and times said doses are dispensed;

(d) means for comparing the size of said doses of liquid therapeutic drug dispensed and the dates and times said doses are dispensed with prescribed dosages and prescribed times for dispensing the liquid therapeutic drug and determining a compliance score as a function of said comparison; and

(e) means for displaying said compliance score, wherein said compliance score provides a percentage of compliance based on the number of prescribed doses versus the actual number taken, and changes if dosing does not occur at prescribed times or at prescribed dosages.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for monitoring said compliance score.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said liquid medication contains a hydrophobic drug.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said liquid medication contains cyclosporine.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said liquid medication contains an immunosuppressive drug.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for alerting a user that a dose of said liquid medication should be dispensed.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for determining the remaining number of doses in said medication container.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising means for displaying said remaining number of doses.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising timer means for preventing a dose of said liquid medication from being dispensed prior to a specified time period after a previous dose has been dispensed.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for overriding said timer means.

11. An apparatus for dispensing liquid medication, comprising:

(a) means for dispensing a plurality of doses of liquid medication from a medication container;

(b) means for recording the size of said doses of the liquid medication dispensed;

(c) means for recording the dates and times said doses of liquid medication are dispensed;

(d) means for comparing the size of said doses of liquid medication dispensed and the dates and times said doses are dispensed with specified doses and specified times for dispensing the liquid medication and determining a compliance score as a function of said comparison;

(e) means for displaying said compliance score, wherein said compliance score provides a percentage of compliance based on the number of specified doses versus the actual number taken, and changes if dosing does not occur at specified times or at specified dosages; and

(f) means for monitoring said compliance score.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said liquid medication contains a hydrophobic drug.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said liquid medication contains cyclosporine.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said liquid medication contains an immunosuppressive drug.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising means for alerting a user that a dose of said liquid medication should be dispensed.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising means for determining the remaining number of doses in said medication container.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising means for displaying said remaining number of doses.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising timer means for preventing a dose of said liquid medication from being dispensed prior to a specified time period after a previous dose has been dispensed.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising means for overriding said timer means.

20. An apparatus for dispensing liquid medication, comprising:

(a) means for dispensing a plurality of doses of liquid medication from a medication container;

(b) means for displaying the remaining number of doses in said medication container;

(c) means for alerting a user that a dose of said liquid medication should be dispensed;

(d) means for preventing a dose of said liquid medication from being dispensed prior to a specified time period after a previous dose has been dispensed;

(e) means for recording the size of said doses of the liquid medication dispensed;

(f) means for recording the dates and times said doses of liquid medication are dispensed;

(g) means for comparing the size of said doses of liquid medication dispensed and the dates and times said doses are dispensed with specified doses and specified times for dispensing the liquid medication and determining a compliance score as a function of said comparison; and

(h) means for communicating said compliance score to a user, wherein said compliance score provides a percentage of compliance based on the number of specified doses versus the actual number taken, and changes if dosing does not occur at specified times or at specified dosages.