Medicament dispenser

• US 7,072,738 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Inventors: Bonney, Stanley George, Robertson, Duncan, Jones, Anthony Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US10/473,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20040172162A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,554 Days
• Field of Search: 700/237, 700/231, 700/236, 700/244, 221/2
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0427 with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/049 automatically changing in response to a schedule deviation by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0043 Non-destructive separation of the package, e.g. peeling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0055 the used dosages being coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0083 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A method of controlling the functioning of a portable medicament dispenser, said method comprising: (a) providing a memory for storing one or more parameters relating to the functioning of said dispenser; (b) storing authentication data for authenticating data for controlling a function of said dispenser; (c) receiving control data for said dispenser; (d) performing authentication of the control data using said stored authentication data; (e) in dependence on a result of the authentication, activating one or more parameters in said memory to control functioning of said dispenser in accordance with said control data.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the functioning of a portable medicament dispenser, said portable medicament dispenser being for use with a refill container, the refill container being insertable in said medicament dispenser in order to perform dispensing of medicament from said refill container, said method comprising:

(a) providing a memory for storing one or more parameters relating to the functioning of said dispenser;

(b) storing authentication data for authenticating data for controlling a function of said dispenser;

(c) receiving control data for said dispenser in said refill container;

(d) upon insertion of said refill container in said medicament dispenser, performing authentication in said refill container of the control data using said stored authentication data;

(e) in dependence on a result of the authentication, activating one or more parameters in said memory to control functioning of said dispenser in accordance with said control data and

(f) transferring the control data from the refill container to the dispenser to direct the dispenser to operate according to the control data.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of authentication comprises checking a code accompanying the control data.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said authentication data comprises an encryption key whereby said code is checked.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein said code comprises a digital signature formed by digital signature generation from said control data.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of authentication comprises decryption of said control data.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said authentication data comprises an encryption key whereby said control data is decrypted.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said encryption key used for decryption of said control data is a shared secret key.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the authentication comprises a cryptographic challenge/response procedure.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of authentication further comprises performing authentication in said portable medicament dispenser.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said portable medicament container is for use with a docking station, and wherein said step of authentication further comprises performing authentication in said docking station for said dispenser.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said portable medicament dispenser is for use with a node of a data communications network, and wherein said control data comprises control data received from said network node.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said control data comprises data arranged to control a dose count function of said dispenser.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein said control data comprises data arranged to control a reminder function of said dispenser.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein said control data comprises data arranged to control a dosage amount during a dispensing operation.

15. A portable medicament dispenser, said portable medicament dispenser comprising a refill container which is insertable in said medicament dispenser in order to perform dispensing from said refill container, said dispenser comprising:

(a) a memory for storing one or more parameters relating to the functioning of said dispenser;

(b) means for storing authentication data for authenticating data for controlling a function of said dispenser;

(c) means, in said refill container, for receiving control data for said dispenser;

(d) means, in said refill container, for performing authentication of the control data using said stored authentication data;

(e) means for, in dependence on a result of the authentication, activating one or more parameters in said memory to control functioning of said dispenser in accordance with said control data

characterized in that in use, said refill container stores said control data and following said authentication, and said control data is transferred from said refill container to said dispenser.

16. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said means (d) comprises means for checking a code accompanying the control data.

17. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 16, wherein said authentication data comprises an encryption key whereby said code can be checked.

18. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 16, wherein said code comprises a digital signature formed by digital signature generation from said control data.

19. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said means (d) comprises means for decryption of said control data.

20. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 19, wherein said authentication data comprises an encryption key whereby said control data can be decrypted.

21. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 20, wherein said encryption key used for decryption of said control data is a shared secret key.

22. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said means (d) comprises means for performing a cryptographic challenge/response procedure.

23. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said dispenser further comprises means for performing authentication in said portable medicament dispenser.

24. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, further including a docking station, and wherein said docking station comprises means for performing authentication in said docking station.

25. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said portable medicament dispenser is for use with a node of a data communications network, and wherein said control data comprises control data received from said network node.

26. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said control data comprises data arranged to control a dose count function of said dispenser.

27. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said control data comprises data arranged to control a reminder function of said dispenser.

28. A portable medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said control data comprises data arranged to control a dosage amount during a dispensing operation.

29. A system for controlling the functioning of a portable medicament dispenser, said system including a network node, a portable medicament dispenser and a refill container which is insertable in said medicament dispenser in order to perform dispensing of medicament from said refill container,

wherein said network node is connected to a communications network and has access to a database for storing one or more parameters relating to the functioning of said dispenser, said system comprising

(a) means for generating control data for said dispenser using said one or more parameters;

(b) means for generating authentication data based on said control data to produce authenticatable control data; and

(c) means for transmitting said authenticatable control data to be transmitted to said dispenser, so as to allow authentication of the generated control data,

characterised in that said system further comprises;

means for receiving said authenticatable control data in said refill container; and

means for performing authentication of the control data in said refill container,

and in that said refill container is adapted to store said control data following said authentication, such that said control data can be transferred to said memory following insertion of said refill container into said dispenser.

30. A system according to claim 29, further including a docking station for said medicament dispenser, and wherein said system further comprises means for transmitting said authenticatable control data to said docking station.