Determination of pharmaceutical expiration date
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for determining the expiration date of a medication, comprising:
- a supply of medication in a container comprising a metered dose inhaler having a drop generator coupled to the supply of medication;
a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the container and capable of measuring the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a programmable real time clock;
a controller programmed with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication, wherein the controller integrates temperature data and time data with medication temperature profile data to generate an expiration date of the medication, wherein the controller is configured for deactivating the drop generator in response to generation of an expiration date.
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Abstract
A temperature sensor coupled to a supply of medication measures the temperature of the medication. A real time clock circuit is programmed with a start date and controller integrated circuitry controls operation of the clock and temperature sensor. The controller is programmed with medication temperature profile data that is specific to the medication. The controller integrates temperature and time data with medication temperature profile data for the medication to calculate an expiration date that corresponds to a potency condition for the medication.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. Apparatus for determining the expiration date of a medication, comprising:
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a supply of medication in a container comprising a metered dose inhaler having a drop generator coupled to the supply of medication;
a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the container and capable of measuring the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a programmable real time clock;
a controller programmed with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication, wherein the controller integrates temperature data and time data with medication temperature profile data to generate an expiration date of the medication, wherein the controller is configured for deactivating the drop generator in response to generation of an expiration date. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of determining the expiration date of a medication in a medication delivery apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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(a) monitoring the temperature of the medication over time;
(b) accumulating temperature data generated in step (a);
(c) comparing the accumulated temperature data with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication;
(d) calculating an expiration date based on the comparison of the accumulated temperature data with medication temperature profile data; and
(e) disabling the medication delivery apparatus in response to the calculation of an expiration date. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for determining the expiration date of a medication, comprising:
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medication delivery means for delivering upon activation a controlled amount of medication to a patient;
a temperature sensor operatively connected to a supply of a medication contained in the medication delivery means such that the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a real time clock circuit programmed with a begin date;
a controller programmed with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication and configured for accumulating temperature data and calculating an expiration date based on comparison of the temperature data and medication temperature profile data, the controller being further programmed to prevent delivery of medication upon calculation of an expiration date. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A medication delivery apparatus, comprising:
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a housing including a mouthpiece;
a supply of medication carried in a container in the housing;
a drop generator configured for generating droplets of medication and expelling the droplets through the mouthpiece in response to activation of a switch;
a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the container and configured for measuring the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a programmable real time clock;
a programmable controller with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication, wherein the controller is programmed to calculate an expiration date of the medication and to deactivate the switch in response to calculation of an expiration date. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A pharmaceutical container, comprising:
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medication supply means for containing a pharmaceutical;
medication delivery means for delivering a controlled dosage of the pharmaceutical to a patient;
temperature sensor means for measuring the temperature of the pharmaceutical and for thereby generating temperature data;
real time clock means;
controller means with medication temperature profile data specific to the pharmaceutical, the controller means configured for calculating an expiration date based on integration of temperature data and medication temperature profile data over time and wherein the controller means further comprises means for controlling the dosage of delivered pharmaceutical and for deactivating the medication delivery means to prevent delivery of pharmaceutical in response to calculation of an expiration date. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
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Original AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
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InventorsBlakley, Daniel Robert
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Primary Examiner(s)Bui, Bryan
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Application NumberUS10/136,058Publication NumberTime in Patent Office652 DaysField of Search702/81, 702/82, 702/85, 702/99, 702/127, 702/130, 702/185, 702/177, 702/176, 702/182, 702/184, 702/188, 700/232, 700/235, 700/236, 700/237, 700/241, 340/540, 340/573.1US Class Current702/130CPC Class CodesG01D 9/007 Data loggers attached to tr...
