Method and device for administering medication and/or placebo
First Claim
1. A control device for a drug delivery system equipped to deliver at least two fluids, an effective dose of a drug in fluid form and either a placebo or an ineffective dose of the drug in fluid form, the control device comprising:
- a processor that is controlled in accordance with a set of program instructions that determine a partial reinforcement schedule for drug administration;
a memory, coupled to the processor, said memory storing the set of program instructions and a set of parameters for the partial reinforcement schedule; and
a user interface, coupled to the processor, said user interface enabling a user to input at least some of the set of parameters used by the partial reinforcement schedule;
wherein the processor, in executing the set of program instructions, delivers the effective dose of the drug, the placebo or ineffective dose of the drug, or both, to a patient according to the partial reinforcement schedule.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control device and a drug delivery system containing such a control device are disclosed for delivery to a patient of a drug or a placebo (or ineffective dose of the drug) according to a partial reinforcement schedule, whereby the placebo (or ineffective dose of the drug) is delivered in whole or in part during one or more delivery events. Methods of modulating the drug/placebo delivery to a patient are also provided, whereby the delivery event is initiated either according to a patient-initiated signaling event (i.e., a self-medication mode) or an automated signaling event (i.e., automated mode).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control device for a drug delivery system equipped to deliver at least two fluids, an effective dose of a drug in fluid form and either a placebo or an ineffective dose of the drug in fluid form, the control device comprising:
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a processor that is controlled in accordance with a set of program instructions that determine a partial reinforcement schedule for drug administration; a memory, coupled to the processor, said memory storing the set of program instructions and a set of parameters for the partial reinforcement schedule; and a user interface, coupled to the processor, said user interface enabling a user to input at least some of the set of parameters used by the partial reinforcement schedule; wherein the processor, in executing the set of program instructions, delivers the effective dose of the drug, the placebo or ineffective dose of the drug, or both, to a patient according to the partial reinforcement schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A drug delivery system comprising:
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a housing; a first receptacle in said housing which is adapted to receive a first container comprising an effective dose of a drug in fluid form; a second receptacle in said housing which is adapted to receive a second container comprising a placebo or an ineffective dose of the drug in fluid form; an outlet which, upon introduction of the first and second containers into the first and second receptacles, respectively, is in communication therewith; one or more pumps which act upon the first and second containers; and a control device which controls operation of the one or more pumps to deliver the effective dose of the drug or the placebo or ineffective dose of the drug from the outlet according to a partial reinforcement schedule, whereby the placebo or ineffective dose of the drug is delivered in whole or in part during one or more delivery events. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification