Automated medication dispenser with remote patient monitoring system

• US 6,304,797 B1
• Filed: 07/30/1998
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rapid Patient Monitoring LLC
• Original Assignee: Rapid Patient Monitoring LLC
• Inventors: Shusterman, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US09/126,662
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231, 700/236, 700/241, 700/242, 700/244, 700/216, 700/222, 700/243, 221/2, 221/8, 221/9
• US Class Current: 700/243
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/07 Home care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/226 comprising means for identifying the connector, e.g. to prevent incorrect connection to socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• 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 7/0427 with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/049 automatically changing in response to a schedule deviation by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 : delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A medication dispensing unit comprising a carousel defining a plurality of compartments, each of the compartments adapted to store a dose of medication is disclosed. The dispensing unit also comprises a housing that has a surface adapted to receive the carousel. The housing defines a receptacle and an access aperture that communicates between the receptacle and the surface that is adapted to receive the carousel. One of the compartments is positioned to communicate with the receptacle through the access aperture. The unit also comprises a dosing drawer that is positioned within the receptacle and communicates with the access aperture to receive a dose of medication from the compartment through the access aperture. The dosing drawer includes a normally closed trap door that, when opened, allows a dose of medication in the drawer to drop out of the dosing drawer. The dispensing unit comprises a recovery drawer that is positioned within the receptacle and communicates with the dosing drawer through the trap door, and receives a dose of medication from the dosing drawer when the trap door is opened. The medication dispensing unit also comprises means for rotating the carousel and a microcontroller that defines dosing period, determines that the patient has accessed the dosing drawer within a dosing period, and locks the recovery drawer.

Claims

1. A medication dispensing unit comprising:

a removable carousel defining a plurality of compartments, each of the compartments adapted to store a dose of medication;

a housing including a surface adapted to receive the carousel, the housing defining a receptacle and an access aperture communicating between the receptacle and the surface adapted to receive the carousel, a first one of the compartments positioned to communicate with the receptacle through the access aperture;

dosing drawer being positionable within the receptacle and in communication with the access aperture to receive the dose of medication from the first compartment through the access aperture, the dosing drawer including a normally-closed trapdoor that when opened, allows the dose of medication in the drawer to drop out of the dosing drawer;

a recovery drawer being positionable within the receptacle and in communication with the dosing drawer through the trapdoor to receive the dose of medication from the dosing drawer when the trapdoor is opened;

means for rotating the carousel to position a second one of the compartments to communicate with the receptacle through the access aperture;

a microcontroller coupled to control the opening of the trapdoor and the operation of the rotation means, the microcontroller being programmed to;

define a dosing period during which the patient may access the medication in the dosing drawer;

determine that the patient has not accessed the dosing drawer within the dosing period and to open the trapdoor at the end of the dosing period to drop the dose of medication from the dosing drawer into the recovery drawer; and

lock the recovery drawer.

2. The medication dispensing unit of claim 1, further comprising audio means coupled to the microcontroller for alerting the patient to take the dose of medication during the dosing period, and visual means coupled to the microcontroller for alerting the patient to take the dose of medication during the dosing period.

3. The medication dispensing unit of claim 2, wherein at least one of the audio means and the visual means are configured to provide medication dose instructions to the patient.

4. The medication dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to log data representing a missed dose of medication when medication is dropped into the recovery drawer.

5. The medication dispensing unit of claim 1, further comprising clock means coupled to the microcontroller.

6. The medication dispensing unit of claim 1, further comprising a port coupled to the microcontroller to allow an external computer to access the microcontroller.

7. The medication dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is linked to a central station, and wherein the microcontroller is conigured to contact the central station if a dose is missed.