Interactive medication container

• US 6,529,446 B1
• Filed: 07/28/2000
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Southwest Technology Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Telaric LLC
• Inventors: de la Huerga, Carlos
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Goodwin, Jeanne-Marguerite
• Application Number:
  US09/627,987
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/107-113, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15, 340/309.4, 364/569
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1437 Locking means requiring key or combination to open the container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• 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 7/0418 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 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/006 for operating at a number of different times cigar or cigarette receptacles or boxes with means for limiting the frequency of smoking A24F15/005
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• 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

Abstract

This invention relates to an interactive medication container or console that hold or otherwise organizes one or more medication vials or containers. Each vial has a memory strip containing medication and prescription information. Each vial can also include a reminder unit that is attached to and portable with the individual vials. The console or reminder unit reads the information strip of the vial and communicates this information to or interacts with a patient to remind them to take the medication. The medication container or reminder unit also gathers or tracks information such as consumption time, quantity remaining, patient feedback, and contraindication information. The medication container or reminder unit interacts with the patient by displaying questions or receiving and recording input from the patient before, during or after a dose of medication is taken. The patient input can be used to modify the dosing regimen for future doses of medication. The medication container reorders medication when the quantity remaining reaches a threshold level. Contraindication information in the memory strip is downloaded to a personal home computer or a hospital or nursing home computer.

Claims

1. An interactive medication container for organizing a plurality of particular types of medication and tracking the consumption of individual doses of the particular types of medication, said interactive medication container comprising:

a plurality of separate and distinct medication containers, each of said containers holding one particular type of medication, and each of said containers having a machine readable memory device containing medication type information corresponding to the one particular type of medication held by that said container;

a console having a plurality of slots, each of said containers removably attached to one of said slots, said slots having a corresponding sensor, said sensor communicating with each said readable memory device of each said container attached to one of said slots, said console having a computer processor in communication with a readable and writable memory device, a timing device, at least one consumption indicator and said sensor; and

,

wherein operation of said consumption indicator causes said computer processor to obtain corresponding dose time information and dose type information, said dose time information identifying a time corresponding to when one of the doses of medication is consumed and said dose type information identifying which one particular type of medication is consumed, said corresponding dose time information and dose type information being recorded in said readable and writable memory device.

2. The interactive medication container of claim 1, and wherein said at least one consumption indicator is a plurality of consumption indicators, each consumption indicator corresponding to one of said slots.

3. The interactive medication container of claim 2, and wherein each of said slots has a separate corresponding sensor, and each of said consumption indicators includes one of said separate corresponding sensors, each of said sensors detecting when its said corresponding container is attached to its said corresponding slot.

4. The interactive medication container of claim 3, and wherein each of said consumption indicators is operated by a misalignment of its said corresponding sensor resulting in a disruption in communication to said computer processor.

5. The interactive medication container of claim 3, and wherein said attachment of one of said separate and distinct containers to one of said slots causes said sensor to communicate both said medication type information for that said container and particular slot information identifying a particular slot to which that said container is attached to said readable and writable memory device.

6. The interactive medication container of claim 3, and wherein each of said machine readable memory devices contains prescribed dosing regimen information corresponding to the one particular type of medication in its said container, each of said sensors communicating with said readable memory device of said container attached to its said slot, and said computer processor using said prescribed dosing regimen information of said containers to develop predetermined times to take the particular types of medication, each predetermined time corresponding to one particular type of medication, and said computer processor using said timing device to determine when each of said predetermined times occurs and further using said communication device to indicate when said predetermined time occurs.

7. The interactive medication container of claim 6, and wherein said communication device identifying which of said separate and distinct medication containers contains the one particular type of medication for consumption when one of said predetermined times occurs.

8. The interactive medication container of claim 6, and wherein said computer processor uses said timing device to determine actual time information.

9. The interactive medication container of claim 8, and wherein said communication device communicates consumption alert when said actual time information corresponds to one of said predetermined times to take one of the particular medications.

10. The interactive medication container of claim 9, and wherein said computer processor deactivates said consumption alert when said consumption indicator is operated.

11. The interactive medication container of claim 1, and wherein said consumption indicator obtains medication type information corresponding to the one particular type of medication held by its said container attached to its said corresponding slot, and communicate said medication type information to said computer processor.

12. The interactive medication container of claim 1, and wherein said computer processor, timing device, consumption indicator, communication device and sensor are integral parts of said console.

13. The interactive medication container of claim 12, and further comprising a remote medication information system with a second readable and writable memory device, said dose time information being recorded in said second readable and writable memory device.

14. The interactive medication container of claim 1, and wherein each of said containers defines a corresponding compartment and includes a corresponding closure device, each of said closure device moves into and out of a sealed position, each of said closure devices sealing the medication inside said compartment of its said corresponding container when in said sealed position.

15. The interactive medication container of claim 14, and wherein said consumption indicator is operated by a movement of one of said closure devices away from its said sealed position.

17. The interactive medication container of claim 1, and wherein medication interactive medication container is dedicated to a particular individual, and said plurality of separate and distinct medication containers and said prescribed dosing regimen information are for said particular individual.

18. The interactive medication container of claim 1, and wherein at least one of said medication containers includes a reminder unit, said reminder unit having a second computer processor in communication with a second readable and writable memory device, a second timing device, a second communication device, a second consumption indicator and a second sensor, said second sensor communicating with said readable memory device when said reminder unit is attached to said medication container, said reminder unit having a contact in communication with said computer processor of said console when said medication container is attached to its said slot of said console.

19. An interactive medication container for organizing a plurality of particular types of medication and coordinating the consumption of the particular types of medication, said interactive medication container comprising:

a plurality of separate and distinct medication containers, each of said containers holding one of the particular types of medication and a machine readable memory device containing prescribed dosing regimen information corresponding to the one particular type of medication in that said container;

a console having a plurality of slots, each of said containers removably attached to one of said slots, said slots having a corresponding sensor, said sensor communicating with each said readable memory device of each said container attached to one of said slots, said console having a computer processor in communication with a timing device, a communication device and said sensor; and

,

wherein said computer processor is adapted to use said prescribed dosing regimen information of said containers to develop predetermined times to take the particular types of medication, each predetermined time corresponding to one particular type of medication, said computer processor using said timing device to determine when each of said predetermined times occurs and said communication device to indicate when each of said predetermined times occurs, and said communication device allows said computer processor to indicate which of said containers holds the one particular type of medication for consumption when said predetermined time occurs.

16. The interactive medication container of claim 21, and wherein said console has an override button in communication with said computer processor, said override button being operable to indicate when the medication is being removed from one of said containers for independent consumption at said predetermined time.

20. The interactive medication container of claim 19, and wherein said communication device communicates a consumption alert when one of said predetermined times occurs, and said interactive medication container includes a mechanism operable to deactivate said consumption alert.

21. The interactive medication container of claim 19, and wherein said computer processor uses said timing device to determine actual time information, and each of said predetermined times to take one of the particular types of medication occurs when said actual time information corresponds to said predetermined time to take that one particular type of medication.

22. The interactive medication container of claim 21, and wherein at least one of said predetermined times to take one of the particular types of medication is a predetermined window of time.

23. The interactive medication container of claim 22, and wherein said communication device communicates when said actual time information is within said predetermined window of time.

24. The interactive medication container of claim 22, and wherein at least one particular container is provided with an access indicator, said access indicator being triggerable to indicate that access is desired to the one particular type of medication in said particular container, said computer processor using said communication device to communicate an access alert when said access indicator is triggered and said actual time information is outside of said predetermined window of time to take the one particular type of medication in said particular container.

25. The interactive medication container of claim 24, and wherein said communication device communicates a consumption alert when said actual time information corresponds to one of said predetermined times to take one of the particular medications, and said computer processor is adapted to deactivate said communication of said consumption alert when said access indicator is triggered.

26. The interactive medication container of claim 24, and wherein said access indicator includes said sensor.

27. The interactive medication container of claim 26, and wherein each of said slots includes an access indicator, each of said access indicators including a separate corresponding sensor, and each of said access indicators being triggered by a misalignment of its said corresponding sensor that results in a disruption in communication to said computer processor.

28. The interactive medication container of claim 22, and wherein at least one of said containers defines a compartment and includes a corresponding closure device, said closure device moves into and out of a sealed position, said closure device sealing the one particular type of medication inside said compartment when in said sealed position.

29. The interactive medication container of claim 28, and wherein said container including said closure device is provided with an access indicator, said access indicator being triggered when said closure device is moved away from its said sealed position to indicate that access is desired to the one particular type of medication in that said container, said computer processor communicating an access alert when said access indicator is triggered and said actual time information is outside of said predetermined window of time for the one particular type of medication in that said container.

30. The interactive medication container of claim 28, and wherein said console includes at least one closure device locking mechanism movable from a locked position to an unlocked position, said closure device locking mechanism locking said closure device into said sealed position, said computer processor maintaining said closure device locking mechanism in said locked position until said actual time is within said predetermined window of time for the particular medication in that said container.

31. The interactive medication container of claim 22 and wherein said console includes a container locking mechanism that locks at least one of said containers in its said slot, said computer processor maintaining said container locking mechanism in said locked position until said actual time is within said predetermined window of time for the particular medication in that said container.

32. The interactive medication container of claim 19, and wherein said console has an override button in communication with said computer processor, said override button being operable to indicate when the medication is being removed from one of said medication containers for independent consumption at said predetermined time.

33. The interactive medication container of claim 32, and wherein said computer processor foregoes using said communication device to indicate when said predetermined time occurs when said override button is operated prior to said predetermined time.

34. The interactive medication container of claim 19, and wherein said interactive medication container is dedicated to a particular individual, and said plurality of separate and distinct medication containers and said prescribed dosing regimen information are for said particular individual.

35. The interactive medication container of claim 19, and wherein each of said slots has a separate corresponding sensor.

36. The interactive medication container of claim 19, and wherein said computer processor, timing device, communication device and sensor are an integral part of said console.

37. The interactive medication container of claim 19, and wherein at least one of said medication containers includes a reminder unit, said reminder unit having a second computer processor in communication with a second readable and writable memory device, a second timing device, a second communication device, a second consumption indicator and a second sensor, said second sensor communicating with said readable memory device when said reminder unit is attached to said medication container, said reminder unit having a contact in communication with said computer processor of said console when said medication container is attached to its said slot of said console.

38. An interactive medication container for organizing the consumption of a plurality of particular types of medication, said interactive medication container comprising:

a plurality of separate and distinct medication containers, each container holding one of the particular types of medication and including a machine readable memory device containing prescribed dosing regimen information and medication type information corresponding to the one particular type of medication in that said container;

a console having a plurality of slots, each of said containers removably attached to one of said slots, said slots having a corresponding sensor, said sensor communicating with each said readable memory device of each said container attached to one of said slots, said console having a computer processor in communication with a timing device, a communication device and said sensor; and

,

wherein said computer processor uses said prescribed dosing regimen information of said containers to develop predetermined times to take the particular types of medication, each predetermined time corresponding to one particular type of medication, said computer processor using said timing device to determine when each of said predetermined times occurs and said communication device to indicate when each of said predetermined times occurs, and said communication device being adapted to allow said computer processor to indicate which one particular type of medication is for consumption when said predetermined time occurs.

39. An interactive medication container for organizing a plurality of particular types of particular medications and tracking the quantity of each particular type of medication, said interactive medication container comprising:

a plurality of separate and distinct medication containers, each medication container holding one type of particular medication, and each container having a machine readable memory device containing quantity information corresponding to the quantity of medication in its said container, said quantity information including particular container information identifying a particular container holding said quantity of medication;

a console having a plurality of slots, each of said containers removably attached to one of said slots, said slots having a corresponding sensor, said sensor communicating with each said readable memory device of each said container attached to one of said slots, said console having a computer processor in communication with a readable and writable memory device, a removal indicator and said sensor, said quantity information in each of said readable memory devices being communicated to said readable and writable memory device; and

,

wherein said removal indicator is operable to obtain removal information from said containers, said removal information including said particular container information corresponding to said particular container from which medication is removed, said removal indicator communicating said removal information to said computer processor, and said computer processor alters said quantity information in said readable and writable memory device to indicate that said quantity of medication in that said particular container has been reduced.

40. The interactive medication container of claim 39, and wherein said computer processor is in communication with a communication device, and said quantity information includes reorder amount information, said communication device indicating when said altered quantity information for one of said particular containers corresponds to said reorder amount information for that said particular container.

41. The interactive medication container of claim 40, and wherein said communication device is operable to indicate said altered quantity information.

42. The interactive medication container of claim 40, and wherein each of said removal indicators includes a separate sensor.

43. The interactive medication container of claim 40, and wherein said console includes a reorder device operable to reorder the medication.

44. The interactive medication container of claim 39, and wherein at least one of said containers defines a compartment for containing the medication and includes a closure device moving into and out of a sealed position, said closure device sealing the medication inside said compartment when in said sealed position, said removal indicator includes said sensor, and said removal indicator senses removal information when said closure device is moved out of said sealed position.

45. The interactive medication container of claim 39, and wherein said removal indicator senses a quantity of medication being removed from said container.

46. The interactive medication container of claim 45, and wherein said quantity of medication corresponds to a prescribed dose of medication.

47. The interactive medication container of claim 39, and wherein each of said slots has a separate corresponding sensor.

48. An interactive medication container for organizing and gathering patient feedback regarding the consumption of a plurality of different types of particular medication, said interactive medication container comprising:

a plurality of separate and distinct medication containers, each of said containers holding one type of particular medication, and each of said containers having a machine readable memory device containing patient question information and medication information corresponding to the one type of particular medication in that said container;

a console having a plurality of slots, each of said containers removably attached to one of said slots, said slots having a corresponding sensor, said sensor communicating with each said readable memory device of each said container attached to one of said slots, said console having a computer processor in communication with a readable and writable memory device, a communication device, an indicator device and said sensor; and

,

wherein said computer processor uses said patient question information corresponding to one type of particular medication in a particular container to communicate a question via said communication device, said indicator device being operable to obtain and correlate patient answer information to said medication information for the one type of particular medication in said particular container, and said patient answer information and corresponding medication information being recorded in said readable and writable memory device.

49. The interactive medication container of claim 48, and wherein said console includes a timing device in communication with said computer processor, and said patient question information includes question time information, said computer processor using said timing device and said question time information to develop a predetermined time to communicate said question, said communication device communicating said question at said predetermined time.

50. The interactive medication container of claim 49, and wherein said readable memory device further contains prescription information including prescribed dosing regimen information, and said computer processor uses said prescribed dosing regimen information to develop a predetermined time to take the one particular type of medication, said predetermined time to communicate said question occurring before said predetermined time to take the one particular type of medication.

51. The interactive medication container of claim 49, and wherein said readable memory device further contains prescription information including prescribed dosing regimen information, and said computer processor uses said prescribed dosing regimen information to develop a predetermined time to take the one particular type of medication, said predetermined time to communicate said question occurring after said predetermined time to take the one particular type of medication.

52. The interactive medication container of claim 48, and wherein said computer processor uses said patient answer information to override said predetermined time to take the one particular type of medication and develop a second predetermined time to take the one particular type of medication.

53. The interactive medication container of claim 48, and wherein said console includes a timing device and a consumption indicator in communication with said computer processor, said consumption indicator being operable to obtain medication consumption information indicating when the one particular type of medication is consumed, and said patient question information including question time information, said computer processor using said timing device, question time information and consumption information to develop a predetermined time to communicate said question, said communication device communicating said question at said predetermined time.

54. The interactive medication container of claim 53, and wherein said question requests patient condition information.

55. The interactive medication container of claim 54, and wherein said patient condition information is one of a list of items such as blood pressure, heart rate, dizziness, nausea and forgetfulness.

56. The interactive medication container of claim 48, and wherein said communication device includes said indicator device.

57. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication by a patient, the method of organizing the consumption comprising the steps of:

providing an interactive medication container having a console and at least first and second containers, said first container holding a first type of medication and including a first information device containing dosing regimen information for the first type of medication, said second container holding a second type of medication and including a second information device containing dosing regimen information for the second type of medication, said console including a computer processor, a timing device and a communication device;

bringing said first and second medication containers and said console together, communicating said dosing regimen information for said first and second medication container to said computer processor, and determining a first predetermined time to take the first type of medication and a second predetermined time to take the second type of medication;

determining when said predetermined time to take the first type of medication occurs via said timing device and communicating a first message via said communication device, said first message indicating that the first type of medication is to be consumed; and

,

determining when said predetermined time to take the second type of medication occurs via said timing device and communicating a second message via said communication device, said second message indicating that the second type of medication is to be consumed.

58. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 57, and wherein said first predetermined time to take the first type of medication is determined before said second medication container and said console are brought together.

59. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 57, and wherein said first predetermined time to take the first type of medication is determined after said second medication container and said console are brought together.

60. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 57, and further comprising the steps of updating said information device of said first medication container to indicate when the first type of medication is consumed, and updating said information device of said second medication container to indicate when the second type of medication is consumed.

61. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 57, and wherein said console further includes a memory device, and further comprising the steps of updating said memory device to indicate when the first type of medication is consumed, and updating said memory device to indicate when the second type of medication is consumed.

62. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 57, and wherein each of the types of medication includes doses of the medication, and wherein said computer processor uses said dosing regimen information of said first container to determine a first series of scheduled predetermined times to take the first type of medication and uses said dosing regimen information of said second container to determine a second series of scheduled predetermined times to take the second type of medication, said communication device communicating said first message at each of said first scheduled predetermined times and communicating said second message at each of said second scheduled predetermined times, and said first information device is updated to indicate when each dose of said first type of medication is consumed and said second information device is updated to indicate when each dose of said second type of medication is consumed.

63. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 62, and wherein said interactive medication container includes an indicator indicative of when one of the doses of medication is consumed, said indicator being operable to determine consumption time and type information corresponding to when one of either the first and second types of medication has been consumed, said computer processor using said consumption time and type information and one of said first and second dosing regimen information to determine a next scheduled predetermined time to take one of either the first and second types of medication.

64. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 57, and wherein said first and second predetermined times are predetermined windows of time said computer processor uses said timing device to determine actual time information, and said communication device communicates said first message when said actual time is inside said first predetermined window of time and communicates said second message when said actual time is inside said second predetermined window of time.

65. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 64, and wherein said interactive medication container includes an access indicator, said access indicator being operable to indicate when access is desired to either of said first and second containers, and wherein said operation of said access indicator causes said communication device to indicate when said actual time is inside or outside said predetermined window of time.

66. A method of organizing the consumption of a plurality of types of medication of claim 57, and wherein said interactive medication container includes an override device, said override device being operable to indicate that one of the types of medication is being removed from one of said containers prior to its said predetermined time, said computer processor using said operation of said override device to determine the type of medication removed and to skip said communication of said message for that type of medication at its said scheduled predetermined time to take that type of medication.

67. A method of determining the quantity of medication for at least a first type and a second type of medication, the method of determining quantity comprising the steps of:

providing an interactive medication container having a console and at least first and second medication containers, said first container holding a first predetermined quantity of the first type of medication and including an information device containing original quantity information corresponding to the quantity of medication in said first container, said second container holding a second predetermined quantity of the second type of medication and including an information device containing original quantity information corresponding to the second predetermined quantity of medication, said console including a computer processor and said interactive medication container including an indicator, said indicator being triggerable to communicate removal information to said computer processor, said removal information including one of either medication type and medication container information;

bringing said first and second medication containers and said console together;

communicating said original quantity information to said computer processor;

selecting a selected container from which to remove medication, said selected container being one of either said first and second containers;

triggering said removal indicator when medication is removed from said selected container;

identifying said selected container via said one of either said medication type and said medication container information; and

,

updating said memory device of said console to include removal information indicating that said quantity of medication held by said selected container has been reduced.

68. The method of determining the quantity of medication of claim 67, and wherein said indicator includes a sensor detects removed quantity information corresponding to the quantity of medication being removed from said container.

69. The method of determining quantity of claim 67, and wherein each of said medication containers has a separate corresponding indicator that is triggered by a removal of medication from its said corresponding container, and wherein said computer processor identifies said selected container via said triggering of its said corresponding indicator.

70. The method of determining quantity of claim 69, and wherein said interactive medication container includes a communication device and at least one of said information devices includes reorder level information, and further comprising the steps of:

calculating remaining quantity information via said original quantity information and said removed quantity information;

comparing said remaining quantity information to said reorder level information; and

,

communicating a reorder message when said remaining quantity information corresponds to said reorder level information.

71. The method of determining quantity of claim 67, and further comprising the step of communicating said medication quantity information for each of said medication containers to said computer processor.

72. The method of determining quantity of claim 67, and wherein said removal indicator senses removed quantity information corresponding to a prescribed dose of medication being removed from said selected container.

73. A method of gathering patient feedback regarding the consumption of at least a first type and a second type of medication, said method of gathering patient feedback comprising the steps of:

providing an interactive medication container having a console and first and second containers, said first container holding a first type of medication and including a first information device containing a first predetermined question and timing information, said second container holding a second type of medication and including a second information device containing a second predetermined question and timing information, said console including a computer processor, memory device, timing device and communication device;

bringing said first and second containers and said console together;

determining when an appropriate time occurs via said timing information and said timing device, said appropriate time corresponding to said timing information of one of either said first and second containers;

selecting an appropriate question corresponding to said appropriate time;

communicating said appropriate question via said communication device at said appropriate time;

entering a response to said appropriate question via said communication device; and

,

storing said response to said appropriate question in said memory device.

74. The method of gathering patient feedback of claim 73, and wherein said timing information is contained in dosing regimen information.

75. The method of gathering patient feedback of claim 74, and wherein said predetermined time to communicate said question occurs before said predetermined time to take the medication.

76. The method of gathering patient feedback of claim 74, and wherein said predetermined time to communicate said question occurs after said predetermined time to take the medication.

77. The method of gathering patient feedback of claim 73, and wherein said questions requests patient condition information.