Remote patient monitoring system with garment and automated medication dispenser

• US 6,471,087 B1
• Filed: 05/11/1999
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry Shusterman
• Original Assignee: Larry Shusterman
• Inventors: Shusterman, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilbert, Samuel G.
• Application Number:
  US09/307,910
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 221/38, 221/2, 221/7, 221/12, 221/13, 221/9, 221/92, 221/98-100, 221/113, 221/125, 221/151, 221/154, 221/277, 700/236, 700/241, 700/242-244
• US Class Current: 221/2
• 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 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• 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

The invention provides an integrated remote patient monitoring system that includes a garment, a monitoring device, and a medication dispensing unit. The garment is adapted for wearing by a patient, and is adapted to house at least one sensor that is in communication with the patient'"'"'s body. The garment includes a connector communicating with the sensor. The monitoring device communicates with the sensor through the connector, and is configured to record signals from the sensor. The monitoring device is also configured to exchange signals representing patient status with a central station. The medication dispensing unit communicates with the monitoring device to receive commands from the monitoring device, and to transfer signals representing the status of medication doses to the monitoring device.

Claims

1. A medication dispensing system, comprising:

a medication dispensing unit;

a medication holding device adapted to hold medication to be dispensed and including a memory unit for storing dosing requirements, said medication holding device being controlled by said medication dispensing unit; and

a medication filing device for loading medication into said medication holding device, remote from said medication dispensing unit.

2. The medication dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising communication means for allowing remote communication with said medication dispensing unit.

3. The medication dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising an identification system to control access to and delivery of said medication held in said medication holding device.

4. The medication dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said medication holding device comprises a cassette having at least two rings of a plurality of medication dosing compartments, each of said compartments adapted to store a dose of medication, and a controlled opening to allow medication to leave a particular one of said medication dosing compartments at a predetermined time.

5. The medication dispensing system of claim 4 wherein said medication holding device further comprises a cartridge having a base adapted to contain said cassette and a cover to securely engage said base and maintain said medication in said cassette until a predetermined time to dispense said medication.

6. The medication dispensing system of claim 5 wherein said medication holding device further comprises a rotatable disc having two openings, one each adapted to interact with one each of said at least two rings.

7. The medication dispensing system of claim 5 wherein said medication holding device further comprises an information system to store information concerning dispensing of said medication.

8. The medication dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said medication filling device comprises a base adapted to contain said medication holding device and a cover to engage said base and align with said medication holding device.

9. The medication dispensing system of claim 8 wherein said cover of said medication filling device comprises a loading wheel having loading slots disposed therein for defining at least one medication dose for loading into said medication holding device.